The Berry Prairie: Native Biodiversity in a Rooftop Landscape

A current project of the Institute for the Built Environment, the Berry Center at the University of Wyoming, recently completed an extensive vegetative roof.   The University of Wyoming filled the vegetative roof with plant species found within a 40 mile radius of Laramie.  This roof is a prime example of a building being used as a research and teaching tool.  To read more about the components of the roof, and how it is being used by UW professors and students, visit their blog: http://berryprairie.blogspot.com

Planning to attend Greenbuild?

We hope you will join us Wednesday, October 5th for Green Schools that Teach: Whole-School Sustainability ! 


Abstract
What constitutes a successful green school? Through a nationwide research study, we are learning that success involves more than innovative green building. A high-performing green school should also be a teaching tool by actively engaging users. Several green schools that have integrated sustainability and green building within their core curricula were analyzed. The results of this study will showcase the various methods, processes, and resources used to create learning environments that actively 'teach' all building users.


Presenters
Stephanie Barr, M.A. LEED AP BD+C
Green School Specialist, IBE
Katharine Leigh, Ph.d. LEED AP BD+C
Professor, Department of Design & Merchandising, CSU
Brian Dunbar, M.Arch. LEED AP
Executive Director, IBE

High Performing Schools on the way for Laramie County School District

Recently, the Institute for the Built Environment kicked off a “High Performing Schools” project with the Laramie County School District, based in Cheyenne, WY.  The green schools project will bring together teachers, students, administrators and community members to collectively envision how all schools in the district can be more energy efficient, employ renewable energy strategies, increase water efficiency, reduce waste, and create healthier school environments. 

IBE will be involved in teaching district teachers how to use their school building and grounds to teach about sustainability, work with students to understand the potential of clean energy and other emerging fields of study, and help school facilities staff to discover ways to increase efficiencies in their new and existing schools.

IBE hosts a Regenerative Leadership Workshop in Grand Lake, Colorado

Twenty leaders in sustainable design, development, and theory attended the workshop held at Shadowcliff, a retreat center in Grand Lake.  Brian Dunbar and Josie Plaut, directors of the Institute for the Built Environment (IBE)  facilitated the workshop along with Bob Berkebile, lead architect on the first certified “Living Building” in the world and the leader in the rebuilding of Greensburg, Kansas. Attendees included Sustainability Directors from government, private industry, and non-profits.  During the 4 day workshop, the attendees focused on the Living Environments in Natural, Social, and Economic Systems (LENSES) framework created by IBE and worked with representatives of the Grand Lake community to envision a “regeneration”  of the Trail River Ranch property within Rocky Mountain National Park.