Support USGBC Texas today! Join Renew Donate Sponsor
Virtual Allied Partners Meeting
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
2:00pm to 3:30pm (Virtual Link provided after registration)
About the Event
Thanks to the 10+ organizations who joined USGBC Texas in July for a policy-focused discussion with allied partners. The roundtable offered an opportunity to explore current and future activities and priorities, especially as they relate to next year’s state legislative session.
USGBC Texas is hosting a virtual follow-up discussion on September 10th from 2-3:30pm for all those interested in collaborating on state-focused policy initiatives in the run-up to the 89th Texas Legislative Session. Please bring your policy priorities to this meeting for discussion and possible collaboration as we broaden constituencies of support for green building outcomes.
Themes discussed during the July meeting include: federal funding, energy efficiency, energy resource management, funding Texas schools, public transportation, water resource management, development density, social equity, and the rapidly evolving political landscape in an election year.
USGBC Texas has established its policy priorities around five core areas, through which much of the discussion revealed opportunities to collaborate during the upcoming policymaking season. These priority areas include:
We look forward to working with you and our state and local government leaders to build a more sustainable, resilient, and efficient Texas.
To RSVP please reach out to Jonathan Kraatz at jonathan@usgbctexas.org, Ashley Besic at abesic@buildingdecarb.org, or Jeremy Sigmon at jeremys@powerstack.energy for the registration code.
LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE VIRTUAL PREP COURSE
Kirksey ArchitectureVirtual ClassWednesday, September 11, 2024 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Free Class
In order to achieve truly green projects, everyone on a project team – contractor, engineer, developer, owner, and others – need to understand green building principles. Kirksey Sustainability has developed a rigorous preparatory class focused on the LEED Green Associate exam and has graduated over 2,200 industry partners. Classes are typically taught twice per year.
With the growing influence of environmentally responsible design and construction practices, a knowledge of green building strategies is a valuable asset for anyone associated with the building industry. Kirksey's LEED Green Associate Prep Class is a resource for those who are interested in gaining the LEED Green Associate credential. Kirksey does not offer a LEED AP prep class.
Register Now
Location: Virtual Class - please register for details There is a limit of two class attendances per person. Attendees must be 21 years or older. Kirksey reserves the right to cancel classes up to 48 hours in advance in the event of low registration. Attendees who require special accommodations must notify Kirksey at least two weeks prior to the class.
Class participants are responsible for scheduling their exam date. For more information, visit www.gbci.org.
Link to registration: https://www.kirksey.com/sustainability/leed-classes-signup
• Dig into the SITES rating system through case studies, tours & a roundtable discussion highlighting the City of Austin's leadership. • Hear updates on the LEED v5 rating system from Texas leaders involved in its development. • See the impact of innovative sustainability strategies through project showcase presentations featuring Austin Community College Highlands Campus, the Austin Department of Permitting facilities, and RiverSouth. • Network with peers and local leaders.
See full agenda with descriptions and speakers. Programs at a glance
Sessions will be submitted for GBCI continuing education credit. See the full agenda with speaker and descriptions on our website.
September 11 from 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.SITES 101 TrainingTour of Pharr Tennis Center and Mary Elizabeth Branch Park
September 12 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m
September 12 from 12:30 – 7:30 p.m. Texas Stakeholders & the Evolution of LEED Project Showcase: Riversouth Proven Approaches to Reducing Embodied Carbon in Buildings Project Showcase: Walter P Moore Office Decarbonization Planning: Hitting targets from Design through Operations Tour of ACC Highland Campus Networking Reception
Texas Stakeholders & the Evolution of LEED Project Showcase: Riversouth Proven Approaches to Reducing Embodied Carbon in Buildings Project Showcase: Walter P Moore Office Decarbonization Planning: Hitting targets from Design through Operations Tour of ACC Highland Campus Networking Reception
Building Transformation Forum
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS:
Interested in Sponsoring?
Show your support by sponsoring the Building Transformation Forum! Available benefits include speaking opportunities, brand visibility and recognition, complimentary tickets, and more.
More information is provided on our 2024 Sponsorship Prospectus
Contact Rebecca Knight or Jonathan Kraatz if you are interested in supporting this forum.
Adopt a ShorelineSaturday, Sept. 14, 20249:00 AM-11:00 AM
White Rock Lake
(see map below) Dallas, TX
About the Event:
Come volunteer with USGBC Texas at White Rock Lake Park and help keep it litter-free!
The Adopt-A-Shoreline program is a Dallas Park and Recreation Department program administered by For the Love of the Lake.
USGBC Texas has been assigned shoreline #6. FTLOTL will provide materials that support our cleaning needs (trash bags, gloves, etc.) that will be replenished as necessary.
Meet in the parking area for the Winfrey Point Baseball Fields.
Tour of Weststar Tower at Hunt Plaza Plus ESG Lunch and Learn Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 10 AM - 12:30 PM (MDT)
601 N. Mesa El Paso, TX 79901
Tour: WestStar Tower
Join USGBC Texas for a tour of WestStar Tower, developed by Hunt Companies to serve as their corporate headquarters. In 2022 this project achieved Silver certification from LEED, the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction and operations practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable.
Some specific measures that were taken at WestStar Tower included indoor and outdoor water-use reduction strategies, recycling of building materials, optimizing energy performance resulting in a 20.5% energy savings, and the use of low-emitting materials.
Following the tour Hunt's Sr. Vice President for Sustainability will discuss how this project ties into their overall corporate goals.
Lunch Presentation: ESG in Practice Beginning at 11:30 MDT
Matt Hunt will present on the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) vision that drives them to achieve continuous improvement and remain a leader in corporate responsibility in the sectors and businesses in which it operates, and endeavors to live up to our stakeholders’ expectations through resilience, transparency, value creation, and giving back to our communities.
Hunt Companies' dedication to institutionalizing an ESG (Environmental Social Governance) program at the corporate level is a mission-driven effort led by evolving corporate polices, inclusive governance structures, and historical performance. Hunt’s mission is to analyze, integrate, and implement an enterprise-wide ESG program focused on and adapted to an evolving business footprint and risk profile.
The program is founded on four key priorities which are:
About Hunt:
Based in El Paso, Texas, Hunt Companies is a diversified, family-owned holding company that invests in operating businesses, real estate assets, and infrastructure assets. Since our founding in 1947, Hunt’s size and scope have grown substantially while gaining considerable expertise across multiple real asset sectors. Hunt provides development, investment, management and finance services to support the entire real estate lifecycle. Hunt and our affiliates’ activities range from managing and financing multifamily and affordable housing projects, to developing commercial real estate and master planned communities, as well as leading social infrastructure and construction projects and investing in future-facing technologies.
Webinar: ESG in Practice
Monday, September 16, 2024
Virtual Session(Limited in-person option available.) 12:30- 1:30 PM (CDT)
About the Presentation:
Hunt Companies' Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) vision drives the company to achieve continuous improvement and remain a leader in corporate responsibility in the sectors and businesses in which it operates, and endeavors to live up to our stakeholders’ expectations through resilience, transparency, value creation, and giving back to our communities.
Hunt’s dedication to institutionalizing an ESG (Environmental Social Governance) program at the corporate level is a mission-driven effort led by evolving corporate polices, inclusive governance structures, and historical performance. Hunt’s mission is to analyze, integrate, and implement an enterprise-wide ESG program focused on and adapted to an evolving business footprint and risk profile.
Speakers:
Matt Hunt is Senior Vice President, Sustainability Officer, and Managing Partner of Hunt Holdings LP for Hunt Companies, Inc.
In these roles, Mr. Hunt is responsible for implementing an enterprise-wide environmental, social, and governance (ESG) program for Hunt.
He also manages Hunt Holdings LP, which acts as an incubator for new business opportunities that complement and advance the Company’s real estate and infrastructure businesses. Since 2001, the Hunt portfolio has made commitments to over 45 VC funds and over 50 direct investments focusing on a range of markets and industries that include biotechnology, IT hardware, SAAS, healthcare tech, financial tech, education tech, energy technologies, and innovative materials. Over $100 million in capital has been deployed towards this portfolio, and exits have come through M&A and IPOs. Hunt plans to continue making investments in early-stage companies and funds.
Hunt has a deep interest in sustainable development, renewable energy, and resource conservation. Hunt is on the board and treasurer of Western Resource Advocates, an environmental advocacy non-profit, and on the board of Aspen Pitkin County Employee Housing, Inc., an affordable housing non-profit. He is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and Urban Land Institute. He is also active with the Nature Conservancy, National Outdoor Leadership School, Roaring Fork Conservancy, and Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.
GREEN COFFEE HOURTuesday, Sept. 17, 20247:30 AM-9:00 AM
Crude Craft Coffee Bar804 S. Main St., Suite 120
Fort Worth, TX 76104
The North Region Council of USGBC-Texas hosts Green Coffee Hours, open to the public. This FREE event offers the opportunity to meet and network with people in green careers: architecture, engineering, sustainability, environmental governance professions, and more. For updates and additional information, please be sure to RSVP.
Water and the Built Environment: Design for Resilience
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Virtual Session 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Join us for a thought-provoking webinar featuring three distinguished experts who will share their insights on sustainable design and water management. The first presentation will focus on Landscape Design and Irrigation, showcasing techniques to optimize water use in outdoor spaces. Following this, we'll explore the Go Purple initiative, examining its role in advancing environmental stewardship. The final presentation will cover Water Conservation and Sustainable Initiatives, offering practical solutions for reducing water consumption and enhancing sustainability efforts. Throughout the session, a moderator will guide the discussion, introducing each speaker and leading a comprehensive Q&A session with contributions from the audience.
Moderator:
Lindsey Machamer is the Division Manager for Park Development with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Her work facilitates the development, improvement, and preservation of Austin’s parkland for future generations by focusing on sustainable, resilient, and equitable development of parks, trails, pools, and urban spaces. Lindsey has a background as a civil engineer with a focus on sustainability and resilience. Lindsey has her LEED AP BD+C, SITES AP, and Envision SP and is excited about the portfolio of SITES registered projects in development by the City of Austin right now. Her previous experience includes work at Austin Energy Green Building commercial team where she worked with the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on their green building goals and work at Civil Engineering firm, Pare Corporation, where she designed sites and and stormwater management projects. Lindsey came to Austin from New England four years ago and has fallen in love with all that Austin has to offer.
Chris Maxwell-Gaines is a professional engineer and owner of Innovative Water Solutions LLC. Since 2004, IWS has been a full-service design / build company passionately committed to providing comprehensive, sustainable, and absolute water management and conservation solutions, utilizing alternative water sources and stormwater management for residential and commercial projects. IWS focuses on systems such as rainwater collection, graywater reuse, stormwater management, and green infrastructure. To date, IWS has installed over 10,000,000 gallons of rainwater storage capacity across the state of Texas.
Marisa Flores Gonzalez leads the Water Resources Team at Austin Water and serves as the project manager for Water Forward, Austin’s 100-year Integrated Water Resource Plan. Ms. Flores Gonzalez has thirteen years of experience working in local government and utilities in multiple areas including water supply, water distribution, wastewater collection, and stormwater management planning. She brings a holistic approach to water planning, with a belief in the value of community engagement and adaptive management to create a resilient and equitable water future for the Austin community. Ms. Flores Gonzalez holds a B.A. in Geography and the Environment from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s in Public Administration from Texas State University.
Michael Meihaus is Principal and Studio Director for Studio Balcones specializing in landscape architectural construction management, environmental restoration and recreation. His wide-range of experience includes design and construction of parks and trails as well as ecological and wild-land restoration implementation. From 2013 to 2019, Michael served as Restoration Program Manager for Fred Phillips Consulting, designing and building over 40 ecological restoration and recreation projects across the West including Texas. Before that, Michael served with the National Park Service on the Elwha Dam Removal Project in Olympic National Park overseeing re-vegetation and ecological monitoring efforts.
GREEN COFFEE HOURThursday, Sept. 26, 20248:30 AM-9:30 AM
Boomtown Coffee
8oo Capitol St., Understory Houston, TX 77002
The Guld Coast Region Council of USGBC-Texas hosts Green Coffee Hours, open to the public. This FREE event offers the opportunity to meet and network with people in green careers: architecture, engineering, sustainability, environmental governance professions, and more. For updates and additional information, please be sure to RSVP.
Green Buildings, Boats and Bats!
Take a tour of downtown Austin's green buildings and sustainable sites the way they're meant to be seen: from the water! We'll tool around Ladybird Lake on giant paddleboards that accommodate up to eight people. Meet us for happy hour before the event at Standard Proof Whiskey Co.
Date: September 26, 2024 Time: 5:00pm Happy Hour
6:15pm Water Safety Briefing
6:30pm Green Buildings Tour
7:45pm Bats Presentation
8:30pm Off the Water
Member Cost: $35 Non-members: $40
Emerging Professionals/Students $25
Never been on a giant paddleboard? They're awesome -- great for parties to stay together and no experience necessary!
Check out this informative video. Read the article about last year's event.
Location/Parking:
Meet at Standard Proof Whiskey: 51 Rainey Street Arrive no later than 6pm and we will walk to the boats from there.
Event Sponsor:
GREEN COFFEE HOUR
Thursday, October 3rd at 8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Easy Tiger North
6406 N I-35 Frontage, Suite1100 Austin, TX 78752
The Central Regional Council of USGBC-Texas hosts Green Coffee Hours each month, open to the public. This FREE event offers the opportunity to meet and network with people in green careers: architecture, engineering, sustainability, environmental governance professions, and more. For updates and additional information, please be sure to RSVP.
Join the USGBC Texas Central Region Council during its Monthly Meetings. The meetings occur on the first Friday of the month at 10:00 AM CT via Zoom. During these meetings, members will be encouraged to engage with the Regional Council and State leadership, learn about current and upcoming (local, state, and national) events, provide input, and ask questions.
For more information on the regional council go here. To view upcoming events go here, and to learn how to get involved go here.
For any questions, email Central Region Chair Ashley Besic at abesic@buildingdecarb.org or Chapter Executive Director Jonathan Kraatz at jonathan@usgbctexas.org.
Sign Up Now!
LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE EXAM PREP COURSE
Saturday, October 12th, 2024 Gensler HoustonVirtual Training 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM Free Class
About this Event
For more than 15 years, Gensler has welcomed in thousands of clients, college students, community leaders, building owners and designers to take its free LEED Green Associate Exam Prep Course.
Conveniently scheduled on a Saturday morning, the four hour class is administered by Gensler employees who are passionate about sustainability in practice and have previously achieved their LEED GA credentials. The course is open to anyone in the community who is planning to take the LEED Green Associate Version 4 exam and is interested in attaining basic knowledge of green design, construction and operations.
From this course, you will learn how to address fundamental principles of green building, attain a basic knowledge of LEED rating systems and will receive recommended study material to aid in passing the exam. Feel free to also bring any general or specific questions regarding the exam you may have.
Gensler’s LEED GA prep course is offered five times annually, with an additional BD+C and ID+C course option offered during the year also. There is no class attendance limit and anyone 18 or older is able to register for the course. Four AIA Continuing Education Credits are available for session attendees.
Thursday, November 7th at 8:30 AM-9:30 AM
USGBC Texas Chapter is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 1801 Royal Lane, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75229
Contact us at chapter@usgbctexas.org or at 214-571-9244
