Sustainability—we try to incorporate it into our work, and we know that it’s an essential component of our projects if we want to remain competitive. But when it comes to actually implementing sustainable practices, the details are too often lacking. Being familiar with the general concept of low impact development, for example, doesn’t necessarily tell us what types of BMPs to use on an active construction site or even the best solutions for post-construction stormwater management.
A new webinar, which will take place on April 7 and again on April 12, 2011, helps make sense of the details. “Designing With Nature,” a one-hour webinar from Forester University, provides an understanding of the current state of stormwater management issues; covers the principles of low impact development and green infrastructure; introduces a design manual, specifications, and 24 compost-based BMPs; discusses concepts for truly sustainable BMPs; and provides case studies in LEED Green Building and MS4 permit compliance.
The webinar is taught by Dr. Britt Faucette, ecosystem scientist, Certified Professional of Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC), and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). Dr. Faucette serves as the Director of Research and Design Services for Filtrexx International. He is one of the authors of a new book, The Sustainable Site, which will be discussed during the webinar. If the webinar sounds like something that will help your work, you’ll want the book as a reference. You can purchase the book ahead of time for $99 and attend the webinar for free, or attend the webinar for $29 (click here to order the book and to register).
Once you’ve registered for the webinar you’ll receive confirmation by email. Just a reminder for those of you in different time zones: The April 7 webinar starts at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (11:00 a.m. Pacific); the April 12 webinar starts at 1:00 p.m. Eastern (10:00 a.m. Pacific).
Read more about the webinar below, or click here to read a full description and more about Britt Faucette and his research.
More About the Webinar
Urban planners, engineers, and architects require standard specifications and design criteria for sustainable best management practices that can be implemented in the rapidly growing fields of green infrastructure, green building, low impact development, and sustainable site development. This webinar will introduce project planners, designers, regulators, and technical professionals to many of the concepts provided in the new design manual, The Sustainable Site. This book provides standard specifications and design criteria for more than 20 different organic, recycled, bio-based BMPs for construction and post-construction stormwater management scenarios.
Building on concepts of biomimicry, natural capital restoration, and ecosystem service enhancement, the webinar shows how environmentally sustainable materials use natural processes to achieve high-performance results, and how these practices can be easily designed into any plan. “Designing with Nature” will emphasize how to engage and excel in green infrastructure and building projects from concept to design to implementation. It will provide information on how the BMPs outlined in The Sustainable Site fit into and contribute to LEED Green Building Credits (3.0), restore predevelopment hydrology in LID projects, meet total maximum daily load (TMDL) guidelines, and reduce development site carbon footprints.