Yes Joan! There is a Green Information Highway!!!
Are you looking for Green Information???
Are you confused about the wide variety of information out there?
A Google Search today for "Green Building" gives me the following results
Results 1 - 10 of about 137,000,000 for green building
One Hundred Thirty Seven Million!!! I wonder how many of these links I can get through today? I wonder how many of these links will provide me with valuable information???
Joan Mirantz asked me this week in my Thank You Active Rain Article
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Joan asked,
"I have a question...did you do your own research on "green' construction first and then hook up with builders involved or vice versa? Do you have a good on line source for info? I'm really trying to learn more but am stymied as to where to start!"
I promised Joan I would "divulge" my sources this weekend! This will also fit in nicely with Stephanie's September Meet & Greet Challenge!
Two Birds with one Stone!
I have always been interested in health issues. I proudly earned a BS in Biomedical Sciences from Grand Valley State University (Go Lakers!) Somehow I ended up falling into a job as a Loan Originator! General concensus is that No One grows up wanting to be one of those!!! We have all been Zoo Keepers or Product Testers in former lives! So...how do we mesh the two disciplines to create something worthwhile, valuable and keep my interest? (I tend to be a little on the ADD side!)
Enter a Lumber Company .... Standale Lumber and Interiors, in fact! It was my desire to make my niche the building industry - Construction-Perm Loans, Developments, etc. What better way to meet the builders than through their supplier? This has turned out to be an awesome Strategic Partnership in fact. Much better than crashing realtors Open Houses!
As the green building industry grows there is a need for players. Standale Lumber has been one of the few -- if not the only -- supplier who has shown interest in truly jumping on board with the green industry and adding value added services to their menu. They are a full service yard -- from designing to window blinds -- Green Consulting and product knowledge naturally fit into the mix.
It has been an exciting journey that has just begun. Projections are that in the next 10 - 20 years Green Building and Hi Performance Homes will go from being in infancy stages to the norm.
Through the mentoring of Adam "The Hybrid Maniac" Bearup and his crazy associates I have been led to some of THE best sources of information and have been given direction in the way to start.
I have found that people in the "Green" Industry are unlike any others - they are willing to give of themselves to help me understand design features, they are unselfish with information and technologies, they are passionate about what they believe in and their passion is contagious!!!
I have found that members of the ECO All-Stars share the same passion. I have learned a lot from this forum and it is one of my primary sources for information.
Other Great Starting Points:
- USGBC - US Green Building Council brings us LEED Certification. This is where it all begins. Mark your calender for the GreenBuild EXPO November 7 - 9 in Chicago. USGBC has local chapters whose members are very willing to help those passionate about this cause and actively seek professionals from all arenas to get involved. Later this year the LEED for Homes program will be launched. It is the pilot stage right now and will be going full force soon!
- GLREA - Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association put on the Michigan Energy Fair. Their website has links to many resources and they are the point to begin research in energy alternatives. There are several regional organizations throughout the US.
- MREA - Midwest Renewable Energy Association - much like the GLREA, MREA is more regionally focused
- Alliance to Save Energy - Michael Holcomb (new AR member) Mike has been a great resource to me. He is always very giving of his time and energy. Through email and phone conversations he has helped me to understand differing points of view on a variety of issues that have arisen. He is committed to Energy Savings and American Lung Association standards. He is an inspiration and great source of information. Mike is the New Director of the West Michigan Chapter of USGBC. On his website you can ASK THE GENERAL or visit his Active Rain Blog (link above)
- Green Built Michigan - this is our statewide certification program. This program is just getting up and running and provides great educational opportunities and speakers.
- Residential Energy Services Network - Many consumer as well as professional driven links to information. I have found this site and the links very valuable.
- National Association of Home Builders - NAHB is getting more links for Green Building on their website as they recognize and an organization that the residential Green Building is taking off
- Bauer Power - Bauer Power has many links to outside resources on his website which will help you find information on Power Alternatives - solar, wind generators, etc.
I hope this helps. I use many of these sources as starting points and then get lost in links -- many times for hours and into the wee hours of the morning. There is a tremendous volume of information out there. Some of it is good, some of it is not so good. Utilizing reputable organizations such as these I have listed above I link to the resources they recommend first.
I feel very fortunate that on my green pathway - still a "baby" in the industry I have been introduced to some of the brightest individuals in the industry who are true to what they believe, hold a hard line, and SHARE information.
Yes, Joan, you have identified the KEY to GREEN --
Education.
It starts with us,
then we share what we have learned
with consumers.
This is the way the green movement is changing from a grassroots movement to a mainstream movement.
I applaud you for taking these steps and seeking to understand first. Begin with the professionals in your area...your local associations...attend the trade shows that you are able to ... good luck with your quest! I look forward to reading as you share your knowledge!
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