by jbs112309 a3 — November 27, 2009—The national nonprofit Second Nature recently launched a free, interactive Web site, the Campus Green Builder, to help universities and colleges build and renovate sustainably on their campuses. The Web portal is reportedly the first of its kind in the higher education sector, providing hundreds of links to green building-related Web sites, directories of experts, and resources for training and funding opportunities.
The site is relevant to all higher education institutions but is particularly geared toward community colleges, historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, religiously-affiliated institutions, and other schools that in many cases have fewer resources and growing interest in green building.
“Whether someone wants to learn about green building grants, financing renewable energy on campus, workshops on building renovations, hiring the right green contractor, or anything else pertaining to green building in higher education, this site is the go-to place,” said Ashka Naik, Program Manager at Second Nature whose team spent months preparing this Web portal.
The site presents compelling case studies to serve as models, including those now featured: Spelman College, College of Menominee Nation, Richland College, and East LA Community College. Campus Green Builder visitors will find announcements of green building and campus sustainability conferences and workshops as well as news regarding the green building in higher education arena. They will also be able to participate in a blog through which they can ask questions and share lessons learned.
Additionally, under-resourced schools that visit the Campus Green Builder site will learn about special discounted offers to access BuildingGreen Suite and for membership in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). They will also be able to take part in Campus Green Building 101 for Building Contractors, where they can apply for technical assistance grants that offer training opportunities for the building professionals who work at their schools.
The development of Campus Green Builder is part of the Advancing Green Building in Higher Education initiative launched by Second Nature in 2009, made possible by a $1.2 million grant from The Kresge Foundation.
