Pests, Poison, & People

Mar 13, 2013 | Uncategorized

By Grey Lee

Managing a landscape, with or without pesticides, is a difficult decision.  What’s so difficult you may ask? Pesticides are created to kill things. They are an inherently dangerous product. This should be an easy decision, but the pests they seek to eliminate also bring a danger. There's a reason one of the Four Riders of the Apocalypse was pestilence.  After immersing myself in the study of this subject and trying to separate the science from the emotion, I find that the subject is, as in most things, far more nuanced than I initially believed.

I initially approached the subject from the aforementioned position that pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are designed to kill things, therefore they must be bad for the environment and bad for human health. I also assumed that organic products that are ‘natural’ would be better. When you are asked to counsel a client on their landscape management plan, you will probably find that it's not quite so simple.

 

 

Which are safer?

For instance, let’s look at the assumption that organic products are safer than synthetic products. This is not necessarily true. There are organic alternatives that are, in fact, carcinogenic. There are organics that have a higher toxicity profile than synthetic pesticides. One of the most used synthetic pesticides, Chlorpyrifos, is 2.5 to 20 times less toxic than Copper Sulfate, a commonly used organic alternative.  Copper Sulfate is carcinogenic and mutagenic. The synthetic pesticide is neither of these groups.  Copper Sulfate are also bioaccumulates, which means that its toxicity increases over time.   Chlorpyrifos is eliminated rapidly from the body, usually within 24 hours.  Just like their synthetic brethren, organic pesticides have warning labels and cautions. One synthetic, made by DuPont, is the first synthetic pesticide that carries no signal word – not danger, not warning, not caution. In fact, it was found to have no adverse effect up to 10,000 times the recommended effective dose – the highest level tested.

 

 

 

Which are better for the environment?

What about the environment? Surely organic products are better for the environment than man made chemicals, right? This too is a dangerous assumption.  One recent study in Canada looked at controlling a problematic agricultural pest using an organic regime vs. a synthetic regime.  The results showed that the organic regime was more ecologically damaging than the synthetic regime.  The reason that organic products can be more ecologically damaging is that they are often not specific. They have a higher mortality on non-target species and the potential ecological damage also extends to organic fertilizers as well. The reason is that the organic products are often not as efficient because they have to be applied at a higher rate to obtain the desired result. The excess becomes run off that contains other undesired components included. Case in point, organic compost often needed for nitrogen is usually undesirably high in phosphorous, which can lead to water pollution issues.
 

 

 

 

 

So what are we to do?

 

 We may be asked to develop a plan for our clients, so how do we advise them? First and foremost, you will have to consider the client’s needs. You will have to consider the constraints that they are working under.  Is there a regulatory scheme that will guide the decisions? Secondly, you will need to educate them. There are three principles at work: the first is the concept that, “chemicals are chemicals”. It does not matter whether they are synthesized by man or occur naturally.  Most aspirin that you take is synthetic and for a healthier alternative you can also chew on 5 pounds of willow bark. In the end, you’re still getting salicylic acid, and the only difference is the means of delivery.  The second concept is, “the dose makes the poison”. This is a cornerstone principle of toxicology.  If it’s designed to eliminate plants or pests, then it is a poison regardless of its origin. The main question is minimizing the dose and this involves choosing the right tool for the job that is applied in the most educated and judicious manner possible. Keep in mind that the right action may be no action at all.  The third concept is something called the precautionary principle. The precautionary principle simple states that, “when an activity poses a threat to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even when the cause and effect relationship is not fully established scientifically.” This idea is often misinterpreted to mean that “it is better to be safe than sorry”.  What is needed is a balancing of the risks.  What are the risks of using the tool versus the dangers of not using it?  Avoiding the potential “sorry” part of the precautionary principle does not guarantee, in reality, the “safe” part.

 

 

Take the balanced approach

Integrated Pest Management is part of LEED. It strikes the balance and its approach is that one should use the least damaging, ecologically or physiologically means possible to achieve your desired end. It is a careful progression that balances the twin harms of action and inaction, requiring care and forethought in the actions one contemplates.  This leaves open the ability to use the most effective and efficient tool, provided all other options have been tried.  Clients may wish to use an all-organic approach that may be part of their value set. They must understand the trade offs in quality, costs, efficacy, toxicity, and environmental benefits. Other clients may value the perception of quality or want to minimize labor costs, maximize safety, seek to avoid the broken window effect, or view nice grounds as a means of attracting or retaining employees and customers.  All clients wish to avoid liability, the risk of disease, issues with a board of health, or infestation.  Most people want to preserve the investment they have in their property while having the smallest ecological footprint and the healthiest possible site.  That can be done by balancing all options and understanding the entire equation.

Kevin Dufour is an Environmental Scientist with Viridis Advisors. He collaborates with Tom Irwin on creating greener greenscapes. The opinions expressed by member bloggers are their own and not necessarily those of the USGBC Massachusetts Chapter.

Compartmentalization and LEED for Homes

Mar 5, 2013 | Uncategorized

By Grey Lee

LEED for Homes Certification has two paths: Low-rise and Mid-rise. In addition to having some different 'optional point' credits, the two certification paths have some key differences in Prerequisites (the pass/fail items). One of these differences, which I will discuss in this post, is EQp12.1 – Compartmentalization of Units.

Compartmentalization is an air sealing practice that focuses on limiting air movement between dwelling units within a building. Historically, the exterior boundary has been the primary plane for reduction in building air leakage. More recently, air leakage across unit boundaries has been targeted for more than energy savings. Where air can travel, sounds, smells, heat, cold and rodents can as well. The goal of the compartmentalization requirement in LEED for Homes Mid-rise is to reduce the movement of all these things. Many of us have probably experienced an apartment where neighbors share more than just the common stairwell.

Figure 1

Figure 1 demonstrates the intent of compartmentalization. Solid lines in this image represent walls that have been sealed to act as continuous air barriers and dotted lines indicate walls that have not been sealed. The floor plan to the left represents a building in which only the exterior boundary has been sealed while the floor plan to the right represents a building that has been compartmentalized, or sealed to prevent air movement between units.

Now, you may be thinking, how hard can it be? The entire unit gets gypsum on the walls and with the ceiling, windows and doors being sealed, where can the air come from? Well, let me tell you something: air can be sneaky!

It finds its way anywhere that it can – whether through a light fixture, electrical outlet, duct chase or behind baseboard. If you don't seal it, it will come, and meeting the LEED for Homes Mid-rise prerequisite doesn't happen by accident.

 

Figure 2

Figure 2 is a cross-section of a multifamily building in which we are looking at one unit which is bounded on all sides by other units. The orange dotted line represents the interior gypsum on the walls, ceiling, and the floor. The red arrows indicate the paths for air leakage, which can be found coming through electrical penetrations such as wall outlets and ceiling fixtures. It can also enter the unit through penetrations made by ductwork and unsealed framing in spaces between unit ceilings and subfloors above.

In my experience, residential units that have not had a compartmentalization goal are typically measured at twice or more the allowable leakage level for LEED for Homes Mid-rise. Working with a LEED Green Rater from framing, insulation, finish, and focusing on compartmentalization has shown to be an effective way to help projects meet their air leakage requirements.

 

Boston's Mayor Menino

Feb 23, 2013 | Uncategorized

By Grey Lee

 

Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino has announced an Energy Disclosure Ordinance. 
The establishment of this requirement will “provide information to owners, residents, and prospective buyers and tenants, and, through education and the operations of the market, create incentives to participate in energy efficiency programs.” 
Energy efficiency in existing buildings is the single most important component of the City's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020. 
New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis and other cities have enacted energy reporting and
disclosure requirements in their jurisdictions.
 
 
 
Leading by example, Boston would annually disclose its energy and water use in all of its facilities starting with the 2012 building data. In the following years, the ordinance would apply to non-residential buildings greater than 25,000 square feet and residential buildings 25 units or more. The proposed roll out schedule for reporting requirements is as follows:
  • Non-residential buildings 50,000 square feet or more in 2014
  • Residential buildings with 50 units or more in 2015
  • Non-residential buildings 25,000 square feet or more in 2016
  • Residential buildings with 25 units or more in 2017
In addition to reporting energy and water use, buildings may be required to conduct energy audits or other evaluations every five years to identify opportunities for energy efficiency investments.  Buildings in the top tier of energy performance or already taking significant efficiency actions will be exempted from this requirement.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through investments in energy efficiency is the largest component of the Mayor’s Climate Action Plan. Mayor Menino has established Boston as a national leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a clean energy economy through initiatives such as Renew Boston and the first in the nation's green building standards for private developments. To further inspire action, Mayor Menino has launched Greenovate Boston, a new sustainability movement to ensure a greener, healthier and more prosperous future for the City. 

Living LEED® Edition No. 1: LEED isn’t just for buildings anymore. It’s for you and me!

Feb 21, 2013 | Uncategorized

By Grey Lee

This is a guide for LEED® accredited professionals and eco-conscious individuals on how to apply the LEED® credit scorecard to their personal lives.

Why should only buildings benefit from the LEED® requirements? If we follow the LEED® guidelines so that our projects can hit silver, gold or even platinum, then why not apply those guidelines to our everyday lives? By applying the scorecard to our daily life, we demonstrate that LEED® is not just limited to buildings, but it is for everyone. It shows that we not only talk the talk but walk the walk.

My posts will be part personal journey, part advice column, and part standard by which we all live by. Living LEED® is for everyone, not just about me writing my personal reflections or giving advice.  It is about you and your journey to your own personal silver, gold, platinum or even higher achievements! With this column, I declare a new standard that should be named as the EVERGREEN standard. Let’s be like the Evergreen Trees, who in their long fruitful lives, give us more than they take. So let us give back to the environment more than what we take from it.

For reference: the posts will follow LEED® for EB and NC, but to get to EVERGREEN level we will incorporate the other LEED® disciplines as Homes and CI whose credits cross pollinate. The choice of including LEED® for Homes is practical because it is where we spend much of our lives, in and around the home.

I call out to all my LEED® professionals and eco-conscious colleagues to contribute to credits that you have personally achieved and I will incorporate them here. I will try to write in each edition credits in the order they appear. This new Evergreen level doesn’t come with a prescribed checklistt uses the LEED® checklist as a reference to achieve a level greater than before.
 

Our first attempt at EVERGREEN standard is to achieve credits in the Sustainable Sites section .

In the current version of EB and CI you get a point for having a LEED® certified building. If you are living in a LEED® Certified building or Home, you are ahead of the curve. My townhome is not LEED® certified.

The best that I can do is go for Energy Star. Everyone needs to go here and learn as much as they can. If you can, register your existing or new home to get it up to Energy Star standards.

Not ready for Energy Star? Then consider Mass Save®. Here you can begin the journey to energy savings and dollar savings! Mass Save is chock full of rebate programs that will send you in an Evergreen direction!

There are many more components to Sustainable Sites. In the next few posts, I will try to incorporate the credits that directly affect us as people or credits that can be used in conjunction with people. Without infringing on USGBC or Energy Star copyrights, we will reflect on the credits and checklists that inspire an Evergreen Level of standard we can all live by.  

Steve is a Holistic Design Professional at a large Boston-area design firm. 

We welcome contributions from all Members. If you would like to write for the blog, use the Contact us tab to drop us a line.

Project Spotlight: United Teen Equality Center

Feb 18, 2013 | Uncategorized

By Grey Lee

 
The United Teen Equality Center in Lowell was established to serve the young people of Lowell, providing them with the necessary tools for success. Through a number of programs, including intensive street outreach and gang peacemaking, UTEC helps students resume or continue their education and develop skills through their workforce development programs. UTEC is nationally recognized as a model youth development agency.
 
Photo Courtesy of UTEC
 
UTEC also holds the distinction of being one of the oldest LEED certified buildings in the country. UTEC renovated the former St. Paul’s United Methodist Church building that was built in 1839 and was certified as LEED Platinum last November. The expansion of the building will allow UTEC to double the number of youths in their Workforce Development and Education programs.
 
There are 147 solar panels on the roof of the historic building and the project team also incorporated soy-based insulation in the basement. Other sustainability features include an electric car-charging station, solar chimney, passive cooling system, and natural daylighting.
 
The building will also have a youth-run café open to the public, serving locally-sourced food.  It will also have a Green Resource Center with interactive displays.
 
 
 
 

 

Learn more about the United Teen Equality Center and their LEED Platinum Certification.

 

LEED Core Concepts

Feb 14, 2013 | Uncategorized

By Grey Lee

LEED Core Concepts for GA Exam w 6h GBCI

When: March 6th, 2013 8:30 AM through 5:00 PM
Where: Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Boulevard Boston, MA 02210

Register Now

The USGBC Massachusetts Chapter is presenting a live, hands-on course for green building professionals who are pursuing the LEED GA or LEED AP credential and those who would like to understand better the basics of the LEED system, especially the new LEEDv4 version arriving in June, 2013.
 
Attendees will be provided with study materials and lunch/snacks are included. The cost is $95 for members and $125 for non-members of the USGBC MA Chapter. Registrants will also gain a Trade Show pass for both 3/6 and 3/7, which will qualify for a $50 discount on the registration to NESEA BuildingEnergy13 Conference. Register for this workshop to gain the discount code.
 
The program runs from 8:30-5:00 pm on March 6th, with multiple breaks and opportunities to network with other attendees. The course is scheduled to be held in the World Trade Center Auditorium on level 3.
 
LEED 201: Core Concepts and Strategies
 
This course is intended for anyone who wants more than just a basic understanding of LEED – including those with a stake in their company's or community's building practices, those directly involved in green building projects, and those pursuing GBCI's LEED Green Associate credential. The course provides essential knowledge of sustainable building concepts that are fundamental to all LEED Rating Systems. It begins with an introduction to the benefits and integrative approach to green building, with a brief background on the U.S. Green Building Council and LEED that includes the basics of the building certification process. The core of the course presents LEED intents and concepts at the credit category level – across building types and rating systems – touching on strategies, synergies, and specific examples that are reinforced by real project case examples.
 
The course will provide you with 6 hours of GBCI LEED-specific credits and/or 4 hours of AIA CES (LU).
 
Objectives
 
Upon successfully completing this course, you should be able to: 
 
  • Describe the structure of the LEED rating system and the overall LEED certification process
  • Describe key green building intents and concepts associated with LEED
  • Recognize successful LEED strategies and measurements for achieving goals
  • Describe the central role of integrative design in sustainable building design, construction, and operations
  • Identify and explain synergies between LEED credit categories and strategies
  • Describe case studies that represent LEED best practices in action across the range of building markets
 
Instructor Bio
 
Chris Schaffner is a professional engineer andLEED Fellow is the Principal and Founder of The Green Engineer, Inc., a sustainable design consulting firm located in Concord, MA. He was a former chairman of the LEED Energy and Atmosphere Technical Advisory Group. He has been a member of the LEED Faculty since 2001 and has trained more than 9,300 professionals in the use of the LEED Green Building Rating System. 
 

Free Money For Green Groundskeeping

Feb 7, 2013 | Uncategorized

By Grey Lee

 

 

It's always difficult getting folks to break out of their routine and embrace a better way of doing things.  This is even more true when you propose a more environmentally sound way of doing things.  The innovation may be a bit easier to adopt if it came with benefits such as lower costs, less maintenance, a better user experience, and demonstrable environmental benefits.

The opportunity is sweetened further if it comes with some free money.

This is exactly the case with switching from gas powered outdoor maintenance equipment to propane power and it can be done with significant grants to offset the initial costs. These grants are available from the Propane Education and Research Council. They provide for up to $500 to convert a gas powered commercial mower to propane and up to a $1,000 rebate for the purchase of new propane powered mower.  More info can be found here. 

Why would somebody want to do this? After all, you are just swapping one fossil fuel for another.  This seems true, but anyone pursuing LEED-EBOM will be putting together a forward looking landscape maintenance plan and it is also important for the SITES certification.  LEED v4 specifically offers credits for site management plans that adopt gasoline free and low emission landscaping.  The idea also makes sense from both a fiscal and a sustainability perspective.

Reducing costs
All groundskeepers, whether on a commercial campus or a public park/school, are concerned about ever-shrinking budgets.  Converting to propane based equipment can help; the cost per gallon equivalent is between 30% and 50% less because, unlike gasoline, it is easier to negotiate a contract price for a full year.  Secondly, the maintenance interval for propane equipment is much longer; many people see oil changes move from every 25 hours to every 100 hours. Third, The equipment lifespan is frequently increased.  Commercial mowers typically need to be rebuilt or replaced at about 2,500 hours.  Propane powered equipment can see a 50% improvement due to cleaner oil and pistons.  Finally, the loss of fuel due to theft and spillage is virtually eliminated.

Reducing environmental impact
Spillage of gasoline is an often overlooked environmental problem. The EPA estimates that 17 million gallons of gasoline are spilled annually when fueling landscaping equipment. The lack of spilled fuel is just one of many environmental benefits.  According to the EPA, about 5% of ALL air pollution is generated by lawn care equipment. Propane powered equipment can help with this problem.  Propane yields more than a 25% reduction in green house gasses versus gasoline. It reduces carbon monoxide emissions by greater than 60%, generating fewer ground level ozone precursors and fine particulates than conventional gasoline powered equipment.  Conversion kits are certified by both the EPA and the very strict California Air Resources Board (CARB).  Most jurisdictions even allow for the use of propane powered equipment during ozone action days when ground level ozone concentrations force the shut down of gasoline powered small engines.

Similar performance to gasoline
A question often asked is, “The benefits are obvious, but how does it perform?”.  The market itself is beginning to answer that question. Many major landscaping outfits, particularly in the south and west where they are often subject to ozone action shutdowns, are switching to propane.  They claim that they have the same power with all the benefits. Operators like it because it can be quieter and they are exposed to less fumes.  One issue that I have uncovered is that propane is somewhat less energy dense than gasoline. This results in the range of a tank of propane being equal to about 3/4 of that of a comparable gasoline tank.  The issue of fuel transfer can also be an issue.  Large operators will benefit from an on-site tank filling infrastructure, but this is a large upfront expense.  These costs can often be offset by grants and rebates, which are worth pursuing.  Smaller operations can have a dedicated tank exchange installed, similar to those seen at supermarkets or hardware stores. 

One advantage to investing in a propane filling station is that it allows for the future expansion into vehicles.  I have driven propane and natural gas vehicles and have found them to be identical in performance to gasoline.  Having a fueling station would allow for large vehicles to be converted to  propane.  The lack of a wide array of fueling stations limits a vehicles use, but operating out of a central location that is equipped with a fueling station makes sense.

A reasonable alternative
Electric powered equipment would be the best choice. They could be powered via alternative means and would emit next to nothing in hazardous air pollutants.  There are several viable electric options available for smaller pieces of equipment (blowers, trimmers, saws etc.), but electric still does not have the range or power needed for larger pieces of machinery.  However, propane can power smaller engines such as blowers, both large and smaller ones.  One of the best solutions I have seen is a solar array that powers a battery recharging station with interchangeable batteries for the smaller pieces of equipment and propane for the higher power equipment.  This could be a bridge solution that is enhanced by the prospect of free money.

Kevin Dufour is an Environmental Scientist with Viridis Advisors. He collaborates with Tom Irwin  on creating greener greenscapes.

Annual Meeting of Fun

Jan 30, 2013 | Uncategorized

By Grey Lee

What a great Annual Meeting on Monday night! Thanks again to Rachel Zsembery, Dee Spiro, Katya Carman and Carlos Alonso-Niemeyer for putting together such a fabulous evening! Thanks to everyone who came early and stayed late to help make it all happen. Thank you to Andrea Love and Payette Associates for providing their Practice Room as a great hall to gather in.

[above: Kathy Arthur-Tyler of our Green Schools Committee (also of NStar, one of our sponsors!]
Thanks indeed to this wonderful community we have where even with snow and sleet and rain, (all at the same time) (and rush-hour!) we had a full capacity crowd.
Thank you to Brian Swett [below] for making such an awesome presentation about the ambitious goals of the City of Boston and for reaching out to us to help partner with them as they grow their efforts – we can help bring proven models of success to other communities here in Massachusetts
Congratulations to the new and renewed Board Members and thank you to all the great candidates.
And now the work continues. I know some of the committee volunteers made connections to new helpers. For me, the top priorities are Community, Capacity and Advocacy – which means getting more members, bringing in new sponsoring partners and focusing on specific policy projects. The advocacy is really the most important thing we can do as an organization. What are we doing? I believe we can choose one or two of the USGBC campaign issues.  In my conversations that some of you have heard, I think that those can be Greening the MLS and Energy Reporting going statewide. With our Green Schools strategic investment grant, that will be a focus in the coming months. And finally, pertinent to current events, we need to respond to the wild community development opportunities and building projects that are the future Casinos of Massachusetts.
[me with active volunteers: Andrea Love, Emily Greenstein, Dee Spiro, Phoebe Beierle, and Jim Newman]
I was really psyched to hear about the awesome work going on in the committees – Green Residential, Green Schools, RASOC, Education, Communications, Membership, Special Events and Emerging Professionals. I look forward to our future advocacy team. I am heartened by the West Branch and the Central Mass group with their successful and upcoming events. We’ve got a lot of great stuff going on!
Take a look at the website – there are new stories up there and I have been updating it (with our Communications Associate Zak) every week. Please stay tuned to our social media spaces facebook and our LinkedIn group – plenty of news and discussion there.

[Hi Phoebe!]
We are moving right along – new people in the ranks, old-timers coming back into the fold, and a lot of work to tackle. As we mentioned last night: Massachusetts is #4 in the country in terms of LEED certified space created (per capita) in 2012. Not that LEED is everything to us (it’s just our biggest horse in the market-transformation team), but 101 projects earned the status last year, taking us to just shy of 400 certified projects total up til the end of 2012. This really means a lot of us and our peers who aren’t quite yet members are working on a lot of green building projects.  We really are changing the carbon intensity of our communities, which is one giant step to making the world a better place. I’m proud to work for all of you and I look forward to cultivating this momentum for even more victories in the coming months and years!
Thanks again for being part of the USGBC MA Chapter! See you at the next event!

Member Profile: Megan Ramey

Jan 24, 2013 | Uncategorized

By Grey Lee

 

Key Details:
LEED-GA
Sustainability Coordinator at A Better City's Challenge for the Environment
Market Sector: Non-Profit Organization
 
Contact information:
email: mramey@abettercity.org
LinkedIn profile: Megan Ramey, LEED Green Associate
Personal Blog: pugvelo.com

 

 

Megan works for “A Better City” here in Boston. For those of you unfamiliar with the organization, it is a non-profit formed out of an organization begun by around 100 businesses, mostly in real estate, around the Big Dig concerned how their employees would get to work during construction. They formed to mitigate and talk through all the issues with government and planners. Her job is to conduct programs for the members as part of the “Challenge for Sustainability” under the environment arm of the group. She likens it to a diet support group for businesses.

 

 

 
When did you first become interested in sustainability?
That would be in 2006 approximately. I was working on my MBA at the University of Wisconsin. As part of that program we had to take a course on “Ethics and Sustainability.” That was my big light bulb moment. No one had talked to me about sustainably in terms of businesses and market transformation. Around the same time, I remember seeing an interview of Joni Mitchell and her writing Big Yellow Taxi and suddenly my career future became clear.

I tell people that my gateway drug to sustainability is transportation and this comes from a series of dramatic shifts in lifestyle from an early age.  As a child, I grew up in rural Wisconsin where I learned to bike after taking a Safety School class in kindergarten.  My bike symbolized freedom and I used it for riding to school, playing in the woods or for soccer practice.  When I was 14, we moved to the suburbs of Atlanta in a planned community called Peachtree City that is designed around a series of paths for golf carts.  Even with this great system, it was still very uncool to bike, walk or take the bus.  As soon as I turned 16, I started driving to high school.  The car is definitely king in Atlanta and my life revolved around driving.  In college, I did a work abroad in London for a summer and took the Tube everywhere I needed to go.  When I returned home to Atlanta, I remember being skinnier and my mom commenting on how great my legs looked.  Driving felt really weird and disconnected me from society.  After graduating from college, I moved back to my birth city of Madison, WI where I began to design my life around walking, biking and taking the bus.  Over the course of two years, I gradually lost 15 pounds without trying.  This lifestyle has remained a core value since and I can no longer live anywhere with a walk score less than 80 or where I am required to own a car.

How are you an environmental steward?

In my professional world, our Challenge for Sustainability is goverend by the Barr Foundation. Unless we achieve greenhouse gas reductions, we aren't funded.  If my job was not impactful in a positive way on the environment, I would be out of one.

Personally, I spend a lot of my time in advocacy. I serve on Livable Streets and the Boston Bikes advisory board. Most of my personal volunteering time goes into complete streets and livable communities advocacy.

In my immediate life, I made the conscious choice to not have a car in 2008 when we moved to Boston. We were spending more time moving our car from parking space to parking space than spending with each other. With Zipcar being here, it was an easy choice to make.  We also get most of our groceries from Boston Organics, so no car was necessary.

I am continually trying to improve. This year my goal is to install container gardens in my yard.

Why are you a member of the chapter?
Architecture has always been something I've always been passionate about. When I was forced to make a decision between fashion and interiors, I did fashion.  Though looking back, it seems that was the wrong choice. I’ve always had a huge appreciation of the built environment, in terms of facilitating community interactions.

LEED and the USGBC was the first framework for sustainability that I came across. At one point I started a business called MoCo Market, an organic convenience store. My friend designed MoCo to LEED-Gold standards, so the USGBC has been there at the front of my head. When I moved to Boston, I went to Greenbuild and volunteered as a young professional. It was like church for me, helping to inspire me and connect me to other young professionals. Now there are other organizations more specific to the work I do, but I still need to have a working knowledge of Green building 101 for my job.

If I wanted to find you on a Saturday afternoon, where would you be?
Most likely on some sort of multi-modal adventure. Say it was snowing:  I will take the Fitchburg commuter rail ski train and ski right off the train onto the trail system in Lincoln. The weekend is filled with finding local places we have never been, whether they are cities, buildings, museums or public space. It’s fun to do something different by bike or train. We chronicle all the family adventures we have on a blog called pugvelo.com. Our pug, Gordo, narrates it like a comic strip and it was inspired by Curious George. Most recently we exposed the fun that is the traffic in Central Square.

We are looking to highlight our diverse and talented members. If you would like to be a future member profie, use the Contact Us form.

Advancing Sustainability with the BSA

Jan 22, 2013 | Uncategorized

By Grey Lee

I attended a great meeting this morning with the Boston Society of Architects' Committee for the Advancement of Sustainability at the invitation from co-chairs Vernon Woodward and Ken Fisher.

I had a chance to introduce myself to the 15 or so attendees, describe a bit about the Chapter, where we are in terms of cultivating our community, building our capacity, and advocating for green building friendly state and local regulations.

One of the main points we discussed was the Coming of the Casinos to the state. Julie Taylor, of Noble & Wickersham, provided a great overview of the collaboration between AIA, MA, BSA, and ACEC. She was holding the draft white paper for the Gaming Commission regarding design standards and an outlined design review process, which the commission had asked them to produce. This was a follow-up to the “Promoting Sustainability and Strengthening Communities: Design Excellence for Massachusetts Casinos” forum held on December 12th last year (which many USGBC MA members attended).

Julie reviewed the State's charge to the Commission and how design professionals can help weigh in on the casinos. Many in attendance hoped that the process would result in casinos that could support sustainability goals for their host communities. I asked Julie what would be the one priority that peer associations could push for and she said getting renewable energy into these casinos, since they really will be energy hogs one way or another. You can read more about the forum here, and stay tuned to John Nunnari (ED of the Mass. AIA) who chimed in considerably with Julie, as he is also one of the white paper authors, to keep track of this process.
 

 

We also heard from Carolyn Sarno from the NEEP (Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership) speaking a bit about the base building code and also the stretch code for the state. It sounds like a lot of things were waiting for the recent fall's election and now we are just stuck in bureaucratic backlog. It may be one thing our Chapter could specifically advocate for, which would be asserting for the stretch code and demanding the state issue appropriate regulations for green communities, as per Green Communities Act of 2008.

I look forward to promoting good green policy at the state and local levels! Let me know what you'd like to see us move forward on. The USGBC (national) has a great list to work on, but we need to think locally, strategically, and creatively to help move the levers of influence throughout Massachusetts.

See you soon! – Grey

PS – the image on the right side of the photo is what? It's probably obvious, even if it looks like some kind of mini-monster from this angle…