Envision Program Bringing Civil Engineers Into ‘LEED World’
by October 7, 2012 8:17 pm 423 views
You’ve heard of LEED-certified buildings. It is the environmental gold standard for those who want to optimize recycling, renewable energy, and reclamation projects in their offices and homes.
The Clinton Presidential Library, Heifer International’s world headquarters, and the Crystal Bridges Museum are three of Arkansas’ most notable LEED buildings.
A new environmental ratings certification is gaining traction.
It goes beyond actual structures and focuses on large infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges and airport runways. You may soon be hearing about a project being Envison-certified.
Bill Ruck, a civil engineer and senior project manager at North Little Rock-based Garver Engineers, is the first Envision Sustainability Professional who has been credentialed in Arkansas.
“We’re turning the corner and that’s what makes this certification so interesting,” said Ruck. “It catches the civil engineering world up to the LEED program that architects have been practicing.”
The Envision ratings system offers projects and communities the ability to gain scores for:
- Enhancing public health and safety
- Sustainable growth and development
- Improving community quality of life
- Enhancing public spaces
- Minimizing noise and light pollution
- Encouraging alternative modes of transportation
- Preserving historic and cultural resources and local character
You can listen to a full interview with Ruck about the Envision program here.
Or, for more information on Envision certification, visit www.sustainableinfrastructure.org, and of course, there is much more on all things Clean and Green at www.keeparkansasbeautiful.com.