Share YOUR story! Why did you become a LEED Green Associate or LEED AP?

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How long does it take?  2 to 6 months

Who should become a LEED AP BD+C?

“For professionals participating in the design and construction  phases  of high performance, healthful, durable, affordable, and environmentally sound commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings, the LEED AP Building Design + Construction exam is designed to measure your knowledge and skill in understanding the LEED Rating System and ability to facilitate the project certification process.” www.gbci.org

How much does it cost to become a LEED AP BD+C?  $1,000.00

• EcoPotential Training Course paid to EcoPotential
  • $600   ( 2-day course)
• Application Fee paid to GBCI  (paid at step 7 above)
  • $100
• Exam Fee paid to GBCI (paid at step 8 above)
  • $250
• Credential Maintenance Program renewal fee paid to GBCI
  • $50 paid every 2 years

Contact karen@ecopotential.net to learn more or visit LEED AP FAQs.

How long does it take?  4 to 12 weeks

Who should become a LEED Green Associate?

“For professionals who support green building design, construction, and operations, the LEED Green Associate credential denotes basic knowledge of green building principles and practices and LEED.”  This is also the first step in becoming a LEED AP.

How much does it cost to become a LEED Green Associate?  $750

• EcoPotential Training Course paid to EcoPotential
  • $450   ( 2-day course)
• Application Fee paid to GBCI  (paid at step 6 above)
  • $50
• Exam Fee paid to GBCI (paid at step 7 above)
  • $200
• Credential Maintenance Program renewal fee paid to GBCI
  • $50 paid every 2 years

Contact karen@ecopotential.net to learn more or visit LEED Green Associate FAQs.

Check it out at:

http://www.gbci.org/org-nav/contact/credentialing-faq/leed-green-associate-faq.aspx

Still have questions?  Email karen@ecopotential.net

1. Up to a 300% return on workforce development investment
2. Increased Productivity
3. Reduction in Employee Turnover
4. Improvements in Work Quality, Satisfaction, and Safety

“The economy will recover, and it is good business sense to be prepared….it is more critical now to invest in training and certifying the industry’s workforce.”

Make your training dollars count by investing in training that provides nationally recognized credentials.

Check out our latest training schedule at:

http://ecopotential.net/training/

Karen Stewart, LEED AP

“Drive Down Energy Costs and Increase Profits,” will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 17at the Clarion Inn in Fayetteville.

Partnering with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Energy Office, Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions and the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, the seminar will include the sessions

1. It’s Not Always Easy Being Green, But It Can Be Profitable
2. Energy Costs Can Be Reduced
3. Resources for Innovation in Energy Efficiency
4. How Well Are You Doing?

The deadline to register for the Fayetteville seminar is August 10^th.

 The cost for each seminar is $25 per person and includes lunch. For additional information on both seminars and to download brochures and registration forms, click hereor contact Sue Weatter at 501-372-2222 or sweatter@arkansasstatechamber.com.

Karen Stewart, LEED AP

For those of you that are worried about earning all of your LEED Continuing Education (CE) Hours, you can relax.  There are over eight different ways to earn (CE) hours.

You can volunteer, work on a LEED project, attend a training course, teach, etc.  For a detailed description of these eight different activities click the guide from GBCI. 

Also, there is really no need to travel to earn your (CE) hours.  There are many “Professional Development/Continuing Education” courses available online.

Check out Green Building Education Services for an approved GBCI Education provider that provides both online exam preparation courses and continuing education (CE) courses.

Karen Sewart, LEED AP

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.

1. Environment ROI for biking vs. driving => less green house gases and less need for roads and parking lots
2. Economic ROI for biking vs. driving => less money spent on gas and auto maintenance
3. 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