As the "front door" of the Council, USGBC's chapters are vital to achieving the transformation of the built environment to green, and provide yet another exciting way for USGBC members and others interested in green building to be a part of that transformation. USGBC now has more than 60 groups nationwide — comprising more than 20,000 individual members — providing their communities with local green building resources, educational programs, and networking opportunities.

USGBC's local network has been bolstered by the explosive growth of the Emerging Green Builders (EGB), a program that helps students and young professionals integrate into the green building movement. Many chapters now have EGB Committees which conduct programming and outreach targeted at those who are new to green building. For example, after three months of planning, the Emerging Green Builders (EGB) of USGBC conducted their first design charrette with the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Fe, NM. More than 60 people came together on September 10, 2005 to propose new designs for an environmentally friendly and healthy Boys and Girls Club. Among the participants were the teenagers and children who would use the new building, representatives from the Boys and Girls Club, renowned green designer Ed Mazria, and USGBC President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi.

The workshop resulted in much more than designs for a new building—it was also an opportunity for the com­munity to come together in support of a sustainable future. "The blessings and benefits that this has created cannot be counted," said Al Padilla, director of the Santa Fe Boys and Girls Club. Joe Snider, National EGB Committee member, agreed: "The workshop was an impor­tant step forward not just for the EGB program, and not just for the Boys and Girls Club, but for our community as a whole. The energy and momentum we created will help us advance green building far into the future."

That momentum is found throughout the Emerging Green Builders program. Today's students and young professionals are among the most passionate and active members of the green building movement, and EGB welcomes these future leaders to green building with a variety of educational initiatives, programs, and other activities.

EGB also collaborated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America on the 2005 Natural Talent Design Com­petition, which invited teams of students and young professionals to design a LEED building or a LEED renovation for one of two Boys and Girls Clubs locations. "It's a thrill to work with these talented young professionals," says Fedrizzi. "I was so inspired by the creativity they brought to Santa Fe , and I can't wait to see the design competition entries."

For more information on our local EGB program, or to get involved or make donations, please contact Jane Ahrens

This is the seventh in a series of articles detailing the latest news and information that was released at Greenbuild 2005. All comments are the sole responsibility of the author. 

This article was originally posted 12/20/05.