My Eco-Hero: Jordan Stewart, Green Commuter
Posted on 21. Apr, 2010 by Karen Stewart, LEED AP in News
As I was reading about the Eco-Heroes in the 2010 issue of the Arkansas Green Guide, my mind kept trailing off to thoughts of my Eco-Hero. From my perspective, he is the greenest commuter in the state of Arkansas. (Maybe I’m biased. I’m his mother!)
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! It’s 6 a.m., still dark outside, and Jordan Stewart’s alarm is sounding off, letting him know it’s time to get up and get ready for work. After showering and ironing his clothes (including his long thermal underwear) he loads up on his three-wheeled bike (rain, snow, hot, cold) and makes his way to Harp’s Grocery store in Har-Ber Meadows. Whether his trip is to work, grocery store, bank, dentist, hair cut, restaurant, etc., Jordan’s mode of transportation is his trusted bicycle.
What makes Jordan the greenest commuter I know? Unlike most of us, the thought of driving verses walking rarely crosses his mind. Although he may mutter something under his scarf when it is 30 degrees outside, he still backs his bike out of the garage and starts pedaling.
Living with Down Syndrome, biking is not an “alternative” transportation option for Jordan. It is his main mode of transportation!
Fortunately for Jordan, Har-Ber Meadows is a master planned community where community members can live, work, play and attend to most basic services without the use of a car.
Community connectivity is not only great for the environment, but it helps Jordan to be as independent as possible in his daily living.
Jordan now has pedestrian or “pedal” access to almost “10 basic services” (LEED terminology) for most of his needs. On a regular basis, he rides his bike to:
- Flying Burrito , Buffalo Wild Wings or Quiznos for lunch
- SportClips for the buzz cut
- Harp’s for groceries
- Signature Bank to deposit his hard earned money
- Dr. Duckworth for regular teeth cleaning
- Shake’s for frozen custard
Once again, another Eco-Hero has shown us that there is a triple bottom line return on investment (ROI) when we make sustainable transportation choices.
- Environment ROI for biking vs. driving => less green house gases and less need for roads and parking lots
- Economic ROI for biking vs. driving => less money spent on gas and auto maintenance
- Social ROI for biking vs. driving => healthier commuters and independent productive citizens
He may not be a chancellor, sustainability coordinator, or green builder, but he’s my Eco-Hero and I plan to be more like him in my commuter decisions.
Karen Stewart, LEED AP
NWA Free Electronics Recycling Event
Posted on 07. Apr, 2010 by Karen Stewart, LEED AP in News
Washington County Environmental Affairs and Recycling is holding a FREE electronics recycling event at Arvest Ballpark, in Springdale Arkansas, Thursday April 15th through Sunday April 17th. This is a great opportunity for business, schools, and non-profits in Northwest Arkansas to recycle their old electronics at no charge. Volunteers are needed to help unload and stack the old electronics being recycled. For information about volunteering and the hours of operation of the event please visit http://bit.ly/aVSyLD
Grow Your Own Vegetables: Urban Homesteader
Posted on 05. Apr, 2010 by Karen Stewart, LEED AP in News
Although I never thought of myself as an urban homesteader, my vision for my backyard garden in 2009 was very similiar to the video above. However, the POA covenants do not allow farm animals. The slugs ate all my strawberries and the $100 worth of lady bugs (for integrated pest management) all flew away!
As many try their hand at “living the farm life without the farm land,” they may find that it is not as easy at it looks. Suppose you get past the garden pests and local covenants, and you reap a bountiful harvest, then you need to preserve your precious vegetables. I should have taken notes in grandma’s kitchen when she showed us how to ”put up” the garden vegetables.
Not easily deterred, I am back at the garden adventure again this year! With visions of fresh vegetables for my dinner table, I don the gloves, knee pads, hat and garden boots and to try once more to become an urban homesteader.
Karen Stewart
Mass Confusion: LEED AP Credential Maintenance Program
Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by Karen Stewart, LEED AP in News
It seems that many of the emails and phone calls that I get these days are on the topic of the LEED AP Credential Maintenance Program (CMP). Apparently, GBCI and LEEDuser were getting the same inquires. Both produced web-casts on the topic and have saved a video of these on their websites. The links to both videos are shown below. If you are a LEED AP or LEED Green Associate, I would recommend that you watch both of them.
Green Building Certification Institute: “I am enrolled. Now what?”
LEEDuser- “LEED AP Credential Maintenance : Cracking the Code”
Author: Karen Stewart, LEED AP
Date: 3/10/2010
Earth 911 – What Was the Most Recycled Item in 2009?
Posted on 08. Feb, 2010 by Karen Stewart, LEED AP in News
- Computers
- Batteries
- Televisions
- Paint
- Aluminum Cans
- Used Motor Oil
- CFLs
- Glass
- Fluorescent Lamps
- Christmas Trees
You can review their 2009 Annual Recycling Report for more information.
LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook for 2010
Posted on 12. Jan, 2010 by Karen Stewart, LEED AP in News
If you are studying to take the GBCI LEED Green Associate exam, you should review the latest candidate handbook. The biggest change, as of December 2009, is the addition of 3 new primary references to study for the exam. These can be found under “Primary References” on page 12 of the GBCI Candidate Handbook. See below for the additions:
- Green Building & LEED Core Concepts Guide, 1st Edition
- Green Office Guide: Integrating LEED Into Your Leasing Process
- LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovation Rating System (My favorite book!)
To learn more of the new exam requirements, sign up for one of the upcoming LEED Green Associate classes in Northwest Arkansas.
USGBC Meet and Greet in Northwest Arkansas
Posted on 29. Dec, 2009 by Karen Stewart, LEED AP in News
Save the date of January 19, 2010 to come out and mingle with members and friends of the local Western Branch of the Arkansas USGBC Chapter.
The first meeting of 2010 will be a membership mixer that starts at 5:30 p.m. at 4476 Waterside Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The location is off Zion Road, behind Lowes. You do not have to be a member to attend the social event. Come on out and meet the new leadership of the group. Hope to see you there.
New EPA Website Helps Homeowners Cut Energy Costs
Posted on 20. Dec, 2009 by Karen Stewart, LEED AP in Green Homes, News
According to a federal survey completed in 2007, there are more than 128 million homes in the United States. This accounts for nearly 54% of the national energy use.
To reduce energy costs, many homeowners across the nation have implemented the “low-hanging fruit” conservation strategies such as changing to CFL’s, insulating the hot water heater, and installing a programmable thermostat.
If you would like to implement a holistic approach and take your home conservation strategies to the next level, check out the new EPA website for green homes.
The EPA Green Home website has tools to help you achieve the following:
- Reduce energy use
- Use renewable energy
- Reduce water use and protect water resources
- Select the most environmentally friendly location for a new home
- Choose green building materials and household products
- Reduce waste from home construction and household activities
- Increase recycling
- Improve the indoor environmental quality of your home
Federal Dollars Growing Green Jobs
Posted on 12. Dec, 2009 by Karen Stewart, LEED AP in News
If you are a visual person like me, you may be intrigued by the graphic “Growing the Green Job Boom” by GOOD Magazine and Green For All. It is a great representation that shows how stimulus money is being spent across our nation for weatherization assistance programs, energy efficiency & conservation, and state energy programs.
You can’t help but notice the $130.8 million that is going to Texas for weatherization assistance programs! That’s a lot of energy audits, windows, caulking and insulation.
Kudos to Kansas City, Missouri for creating the “Green Impact Zone” to create jobs and to improve energy efficiencies.
Can any of you find Arkansas on the illustration? What is up with that? Perhaps the information needs to be updated.
You can download the graphics here.
LEED Green Associate Training in Northwest Arkansas
Posted on 07. Dec, 2009 by Karen Stewart, LEED AP in LEED Training, News
Trying to decide if you should become a LEED Accredited Professional?
Click here to see engineering jobs available for LEED AP’s.
Click here to see the 6 things that Green Companies want to see on your resume.
Becoming a LEED Green Associate is the first step in becoming a LEED Accredited Professional. Go to the Green Building Certification Institute to learn more about the requirements to become a LEED AP.
Prepare for the job market of the future! Don’t be left behind, register for an upcoming LEED training class in Northwest Arkansas.
The LEED Green Associate class taught by EcoPotential is approved by the American Institute of Archictecture (AIA) for continuing education credit.