Support USGBC Texas today! Join Renew Donate Sponsor
USGBC Texas is proud to once again be a partner with Earthx2024.
Join us in Dallas April 22-26, 2024, for the world’s largest sustainability gathering with the foremost environmentalists, conservationists, scientists, academics, entrepreneurs, advocates, industry/business leaders, investors, policy makers, and political leaders engaged in the environmental space today.
Working together is the only way we can make the changes to make the earth cleaner and brighter for the generations to come.
Earthx2024 Congress of Conferences attract the world’s foremost environmentalists, conservationists, scientists, academics, entrepreneurs, advocates, industry and business leaders, investors, policy makers, and political leaders engaged in the environmental space today. These leaders and influencers come from a wide range of disciplines, interests, and perspectives, and represent a broad spectrum of initiatives and efforts around the globe. We bring together ALL points of view.
The 9th Annual Congress of Conferences will feature multiple conferences covering various industry & topical tracks:
Built Environment Agenda(Energy, Resilience, Infrastructure) Learn from key leaders and changemakers, who are driving the transition to a circular economy the future of sustainable cities & transportation, green building advances, rewinding, climate resilience and adaption, and the renewable energy transition. Natural Environment Agenda(Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife, Oceans) Learn from key leaders and changemakers who are pioneering new approaches to wildlife and ocean conservation, creating new market-driven tools for protecting biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions, reinventing the future of agriculture and food production, and managing forests and wildfires. 8th Annual E-Capital Summit Agenda An invitation-only industry-leading sustainability investment and innovation summit that convenes hundreds of global investors, innovators, family offices/foundations, industry leaders, deal-makers, and other innovation & investment ecosystem leaders to help catalyze greater sustainability, investment, and innovation. More information available here.
Built Environment Agenda(Energy, Resilience, Infrastructure)
Learn from key leaders and changemakers, who are driving the transition to a circular economy the future of sustainable cities & transportation, green building advances, rewinding, climate resilience and adaption, and the renewable energy transition.
Natural Environment Agenda(Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife, Oceans)
Learn from key leaders and changemakers who are pioneering new approaches to wildlife and ocean conservation, creating new market-driven tools for protecting biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions, reinventing the future of agriculture and food production, and managing forests and wildfires.
8th Annual E-Capital Summit Agenda
An invitation-only industry-leading sustainability investment and innovation summit that convenes hundreds of global investors, innovators, family offices/foundations, industry leaders, deal-makers, and other innovation & investment ecosystem leaders to help catalyze greater sustainability, investment, and innovation. More information available here.
Use code USGBC20 at registration for 20% discount on conference registration!
Visit EarthX.org to purchase tickets and learn more.
Dear Partners in a Sustainable Future!
We are excited to announce that Earth Day ATX is open for registration!
This year's theme is "Make it Personal." The festival logo reflects this theme, with a thumbprint incorporated. The activities this year will be tied to ways to make the experience personal for yourself and your community. The focus will be to host a highly interactive and inclusive family-friendly experience.
In support of Earth Day ATX we ask that you take a look at the festival website at earthdayaustin.com and the updated video reel!
To register, go here, or explore earthdayaustin.com for more information on exhibiting and sponsorship.
Thanks so much for your interest and support!
USGBC Texas Central Region Emerging Professionals Meeting w/ Lisa Storer Tuesday, April 30, 202412:00 - 1:00 PM
Virtual Meeting
About the Event
Join the USGBC Emerging Professionals committee April 30th for our monthly committee meeting. We will be joined by USGBC’s own Lisa Storer to talk about her experience within the sustainable world and USGBC.
We will follow that up with our regular committee meeting. See the meeting agenda and meeting notes attached to the confirmation message. Lisa Storer is a sustainability advocate working on large collaborative projects that have the ability to transform the public realm. She currently leads the Sustainable Design Program at Austin Transit Partnership, which will bring much-needed transit expansion and improvements, including light rail, improved bus service and a fully electric fleet to Austin! Previously, she was a Project Manager at the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department focused on the Waterloo Greenway program, which transformed 35 acres of downtown Austin with new public parks, accessible trails, and a restored Waller Creek to connect people to nature in the center of the city. Lisa enjoys working on collaborative projects with strong ecological and equity goals that bridge architecture and landscape architecture, and she has twenty years of experience working in the built environment. Lisa has worked at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, developing the SITES v2 Rating System for sustainable land design and development, now administered internationally by GBCI. She serves on the board of the US Green Building Council’s Texas Chapter; as the Vice-Chair of the the Location, Transportation, and Planning Technical Advisory Group (LP TAG) for LEED, and on the Board of Directors for AIA Austin..
GREEN COFFEE HOURThursday, May 2, 20247:30 AM-9:00 AM
Communion Neighborhood Cooperative
514 Lockwood Dr. Richardson, TX 75080
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.
Event Hosted by:
South: GREEN COFFEE
Commonwealth Coffeehouse
203 E. Jones Ave., Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78215
8:30 - 9:30 AM
South Texas, USGBC Texas will be hosting 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.
FAMILY FRIENDLY HAPPY HOUR EVENT
First Thursdays, May through September, 2024 4:00-7:00 PM
Meanwhile Brewery
3901 Promontory Point Dr
Austin, Texas 78744
Central Texas, USGBC Texas will be hosting a family friendly Happy Hour, open to the public. This location was specifically chosen for its open space for kids to stretch their legs. This FREE event offers the opportunity to meet and network with people in green careers: architecture, engineering, sustainability, environmental governance professions, and more.
Parking Instructions
Free parking is available at Meanwhile Brewing.
Preserving the Past, Building the Future: Austin & San Antonio Preservation Plans for Sustainable Decarbonization
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Virtual Session 12:00 - 1:00 PM
About the Presentation:
Join us for a power-packed hour-long webinar that delves into preservation initiatives in two vibrant cities, Austin and San Antonio. Explore the critical role of building preservation in contributing to sustainable decarbonization. This insightful session will bring together experts, city planners, architects, and sustainability advocates to discuss innovative strategies, challenges, and success stories in preserving older and historic buildings while advancing towards a low-carbon future.
View the City of Austin's plan here and the City of San Antonio's plan here.
Speakers:
Ashley Besic, the Senior Associate of Market Transformation at the Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC), is a seasoned professional dedicated to driving impactful change. Leading initiatives that engage policymakers, the building industry, and consumers, she pioneers zero-emission lifestyle solutions, aiming to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels and significantly reduce climate pollution. In collaboration with the team, Ashley plays a pivotal role in convening state policymakers, manufacturers, and industry associations, working towards a comprehensive strategy for the phased transition away from gas appliances and implementing BDC's thermal network coalition organizing activities across the U.S.
Her influence extends to coordinating the Market Transformation working group, managing scheduling, preparing agendas, and securing commitments from diverse stakeholders. Acknowledged for her ability to solicit feedback and represent BDC's interests in national dialogues, Ashley serves as a relationship manager for critical stakeholder groups. Before her tenure at BDC, she led the implementation of the ULI Net Zero Imperative and played a key role in establishing sustainability initiatives at LivCor, showcasing her passion and precision. Ashley holds a Master of Science in Real Estate and a B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies, along with certifications as a LEED Green Associate, Fitwel Ambassador, and Green Globes Emerging Professional.
Cara Bertron, the Program Manager at the City of Austin's Planning Department and works to shape more equitable cities through community and cultural preservation. She is currently managing Austin’s new Equity-Based Preservation Plan, which was drafted by a 26-member community working group. Previous work includes the development of a displacement prevention navigator program, facilitation of the Action Agenda for Historic Preservation in Legacy Cities with the Preservation Rightsizing Network, and community-focused planning in Seattle’s Chinatown International District. Cara serves as a National Trust Adviser and is a member of the Next City Vanguard. Her favorite public places are Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, Oslo’s central library, and Barton Springs at night.
Stephanie Phillips, AICP, Senior Program Manager - Deconstruction & Circular Economy at the City of San Antonio's Preservation Office, is an urban planner and policymaker working at the intersection of heritage conservation and the circular economy. In her role as Senior Deconstruction and Circular Economy Manager for the City of San Antonio, she administers the largest deconstruction ordinance in the United States. Her role also focuses on strategic local partnership development, which has helped forge the Material Innovation Center at Port San Antonio; a research partnership with UT-San Antonio; and the integration of deconstruction contractor training into City workforce initiatives. Outside of the City of San Antonio, Stephanie actively contributes to nonprofits and coalitions that focus on embodied carbon and circular economy policy and advocacy. She is the Waste and Consumption Issue Lead for the Climate Heritage Network and serves on the national boards of Build Reuse and Preservation Action. Broadly, her work aims to foster collaborative, transdisciplinary, silo-busting partnerships that get us closer to creating a truly regenerative built environment.
Thursday, June 6th at 4:00-7:00 PM
LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE EXAM PREP COURSE
Saturday, June 8th, 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, July 11th at 4:00-7:00 PM
Thursday, August 1st at 4:00-7:00 PM
Saturday, August 10th, 2024 Gensler HoustonVirtual Training 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM Free Class
Thursday, September 5th at 4:00-7:00 PM
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
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.
Saturday, October 12th, 2024 Gensler HoustonVirtual Training 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM Free Class
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