Even with the abundance of information being promoted by USGBC and other green organizations some people are unclear as to how they can go "Green" and where to begin with the process. In an effort to address the many questions of how going green may impact our professional lives, the NHCIBOR Affiliates Committee have developed a series of twelve seminars to be presented the second Thursday of each month in 2008. Each seminar is designed to focus on a specific topic that relates to the green building process, with the format providing for roundtable discussion after a presentation by a professional on the particular topic. The seminars will be hosted on a rotating basis at LEED certified building locations in New Hampshire, The McLane Audubon Center Concord, the Portsmouth Public Library Portsmouth, and the PSNH building in the Manchester mill yard area. Seminars will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will include a limited breakfast. Cost is $10 for CIBOR members and $15 for non-members.
The second seminar in the series is scheduled for March 13, at the Portsmouth Public Library. The topic will be centered around site design and how can we minimize the environmental impact of development on greenfield (undeveloped) sites, or restore and re-use brownfield (developed) sites effectively? What are ways of improving existing design and construction practices to be more sustainable?
The presentation will be made by Chris Nadeau P.E of Nobis Engineering Inc., a NH based firm and civil site designers for two LEED Gold Certified buildings; the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the McLane Audubon Center.
Sustainable Site design practices consider items such as construction activity pollution prevention, site selection for density and community connection, alternative transportation options (public, bicycle, low emitting & fuel efficient vehicles), parking capacity, habitat protection and restoration, open space development, stormwater management, heat island effects, water use reduction, drought tolerant landscaping and light pollution reduction.
Chris's session will explore many of these aspects of sustainable site development and water use efficiency. In addition we will touch on other site considerations such as, pervious pavements and solar orientation for day lighting and energy considerations.
Subsequent seminars will follow in a sequence reflective of the planning and building process. Seminars will include:
* April 11th - Architectural Perspective of Green Design
* May 8th - Construction and Building Green
* June 12th - Interiors going Green

To learn more about the series contact Heather Rowan, business development manager for Office Interiors LTD Heather Rowan or Bill Jean, director of business development for Fulcrum Associates Inc Bill Jean