U.S. Building Green Council Review

 United States Building Green Council

http://www.usgbc.org

There are several things in my home that I have been changing and improving upon in an effort to go more "green."  We usually have more recycling than we do trash, we use energy efficient lights, natural light during the day, energy efficient water and even have done away with plastic bags for groceries.  With many of these things taken care of I can no look to home improvement projects that could help us save money and the environment and the USGBC or United States Building Green Council is a comprehensive website and resources, with support groups locally and nationally, home improvement projects information, educational opportunities, grants, awards and help for the home owner building or making improvements to their home. They even help build or renovate existing businesses like schools or offices.

Here are just a few things a homeowner, prospective homeowner, home buyer, home builder, or building/restoration professional can find on this site and within the United States Building Green Council.

• 15,000 organizations nationwide across the building industry
• important information on what "works" and what "doesn't to make your home more sustainable or eco-friendly
• resources from and to building owners, engineers, architects, designers, contractors, manufacturers, other nonprofits and even government agencies

The Mission: "to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life."

Programs in the United States Building Green Council

• LEED Program: third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings." 
• Chapter Programs: provides support, information and resources to home builders, home buyers and homeowners on improvements, new products and renovations to make their homes self sustaining and environmentally conscious
• Education Programs: includes information, support, services, and grants to both students and educators
• Host to Greenbuild: largest green building international conference and expo open to contractors, builders, and individuals among others.
  

If you are hoping to complete home improvement projects from solar tubes to rain barrels and everything in between or just want to know what products and services are available to help your house and home to be more environmentally sound, the United States Building Green Council should be your first start to: find what's available, who can do it, and what you can do for yourself -- with a little help from your friends.