ima Donates to Orange County U.S. Green Building Council Green Classroom Project

Wed Nov 9, 2011 4:22pm EST

Davis Magnet School in Costa Mesa Project Underway

The USGBC Orange County chapter is now underway with one of the leading pilot projects for green schools in Southern California. The nonprofit organization has embarked upon a Green Schools project that will serve to educate students while also analyzing the benefits of a green classroom environment.

The Orange County Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council will be retrofitting and monitoring a classroom with the following objectives:

To teach students, teachers, administrators, parents and the community at large the value of sustainable environments. Students and teachers will be surveyed before and after the retrofit. They will have an integral role throughout the process and into the future as they observe and measure the outcomes.

To improve health, reduce negative environmental impacts and reduce operating expenses by physically retrofitting classroom systems and materials.

This project will be undertaken at Davis Magnet School, a public school within the Newport-Mesa School District. Davis Magnet is a progressive, hands-on magnet school that focuses on science, math and technology, having grades Pre-K through 6. It is already very proactive in creating awareness and programs with regards to energy consumption, recycling and composting, along with their “learning garden.” This is a publicly funded school, and this particular program is entirely supported and subsidized with in-kind donations, monetary donations, and volunteer time by USGBC Orange County members from the following companies:

Disney, LPA Inc., AEF, Brookside Builder Services, HMC Architects, Studio SA, IMA+Design, Konsortum1, Lutron, Patcraft Carpet and Arborite

According to Lindsey Engels, Vice Chair of the USGBC Orange County Chapter, “The success of this project is dependent upon all of us working together.”

Sue Ewing, Fundraising Co-Chair, added, “We are looking for your help and support so that this vision becomes a reality for future generations as an interactive learning experience and an exemplary model of social, economic and environmental stewardship.”

Anyone wishing to make a monetary or in-kind donation may contact USGBC-OC. Citizens of Orange County or parents who would like to help on a personal level can donate directly to the project at our CrowdRise donation site, or donate some time as a volunteer. USGBC Orange County is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and donations are tax deductible.

About the U.S. Green Building Council, Orange County Chapter

The Orange County Chapter of USGBC is a dynamic group of professionals and supportive individuals and organizations advocating greener building and development in Orange County. The USGBC-OC Chapter’s mission is to engage all Green Building stakeholders to be the conduit of change for a more sustainable Orange County through innovative communication, education, resources and advocacy. As a nonprofit organization, USGBC-OC promotes the integration of the built and natural environments to foster sustainable, healthy, and prosperous communities. Chapter members include builders, designers, architects, facility managers, contractors, landscape architects and manufacturers, all of whom work actively with state and local stakeholders to promote sustainable building and business practices in their respective fields. www.usgbc-oc.org

USGBC Vicki Phillipy, 714-832-3616 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Press Contact: RBF Consulting for USGBC