Pre-Conference Workshops
- Green Building Made Easy
- Building Healthy in Today's World
- Biomimicry: Nature as Model,
Measure, and Mentor - Investing in Renewable Energy
- Solar For Real Estate Professionals
- Making Solar Affordable: A Guide to
Rebates and Incentives - LEED for Homes Program Review
- LEED-NC Exam Prep
Green Building Made Easy
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 9:30 – 5:30 pm
In Partnership with: Build It Green
Fee: $175
This workshop is tailored to builders, designers, and local officials wishing to understand the ease of green building. Participants in this session will learn about commonly used green building practices in new construction and remodeling, the GreenPoint Rated New Home system, and the GreenPoint Rated Existing Home system - the first rating system for existing and remodeled homes in the nation. Students will also gain an understanding of California and local jurisdiction trends in green building and green building ordinances, and a comparison of LEED for Homes and other California green building rating systems.
Building Healthy in Today's World
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 9:00-5:00
In Partnership with: Bau-Biologie Principles in Practice – Going Beyond Green
Fee: $175
Building a healthy home or office amidst prolific toxins may seem insurmountable, but this course will address a well-tested approach to building using healthy and green products and methods. This seminar introduces the Principles of Bau-Biologie - building practices that use both biologically-compatible and ecologically-sound products and processes that go beyond green. Seven myths regarding current construction practices will be debunked to demonstrate the need for a new approach. Students will also learn what kinds of health hazards lurk in a typical home, and how they can be avoided with the right design and construction. Focus will also hone in on pollutant source identification and avoidance, including air, water and electromagnetics.
This session will include demonstrations and exercises using Bau-Biologie evaluation protocols and scientific instrumentation to assess products and processes. This seminar benefits home dwellers, architects, interior designers and other building professionals.
The course will also meet the requirements for a Level 100 seminar for the Building Biology Practitioner Certification. For full certification, successful completion of the IBE 101 self-study course is also required.
Biomimicry: Nature as Model, Measure, and Mentor
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 9:00-10:00 AM Introductory Biomimicry Presentation; 10:00 AM-4:30 PM Introductory Biomimicry Workshop (limited to 35 people)
In Partnership with: Biomimicry Guild
Fee: $275
Participants will experience a visual journey through the world of Biomimicry, with real world case studies that exemplify the practice of learning architecture from nature. The dynamic workshop is designed to allow participants to explore, and subsequently reinforce, the concepts introduced. Attendees will also gain understanding of Life's Principles, and they will learn how to begin incorporating these principles of sustainability into their practice.
Investing in Renewable Energy
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 9:30-5:30 pm
In Partnership with: The Solar Living Institute
Fee: $175
Learn how to invest in renewable energy, one of the hottest sectors of the economy in these troubled times. The future of energy is renewable energy, with innovative technologies coming online everyday and new financing models that expand opportunities to investors at every scale. This course will cover investments in U.S. and global companies, numerous models and means for investing in many or one company, and other strategies for investors with any size investment to make money while making a difference.
This class will be taught by Christopher Peck, a managing partner of Natural Investments LLC, an investment advisor focused solely on socially responsible investing, with supporting presentations from inside players in the renewable energy field.
Solar For Real Estate Professionals
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 9:00-12:30 pm
In Partnership with: Solar Living Institute
Fee: $125
This course is designed to provide real estate industry professionals with a basic understanding of solar electric systems (also called photovoltaic systems, or PV). Participants will first learn the basics of PV, including the importance of energy efficiency, the components of a PV system, installation practices, incentives for installing PV, and financing PV. Then professionals will learn about the value added to energy efficient properties and how to market them, tips on financing energy efficient properties, and finding professionals that can help you pursue energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Making Solar Affordable: A Guide to Rebates and Incentives
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 1:30-5:00 pm
In Partnership with: Solar Living Institute
Fee: $125
Dealers, installers, and salespeople know that solar electric is a good environmental choice, but few are aware that it can also be a remarkably sound investment. In this workshop, industry professionals will obtain a thorough understanding of state incentives for solar energy development, solar renewable energy credits, the California Solar Initiative, and Federal tax credits.
LEED for Homes Program Review
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 8:30-5:00
In Partnership with: USGBC - Northern California
Fee: $225 USGBC members/$275 non-members/$150 Full-Time Students
Gain the knowledge needed for successful participation in the LEED for Homes initiative.
LEED-NC Exam Prep
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 8:30-5:00
In Partnership with: USGBC - Northern California
Fee: $345 USGBC members/$445 non-members/$150 Full-Time Students
Become a LEED-Accredited Professional! Brightworks, a leading green building and sustainability consulting firm, will be collaborating with USGBIC-NC to conduct a full-day workshop to prepare participants for the LEED NC 2.2 accreditation exam.