Internal Green Education Program

Tom, you can definitely design a green education program for your building occupants. Some examples of compliant program components might include: 1) permanent or semi-permanent comprehensive signage posted around the building to inform them of sustainability initiatives/benefits; 2) an electronic newsletter sent to all building occupants to describe strategies, initiatives, and ongoing progress; 3) live presentations or case studies created to educate building occupants on the LEED project and explain the environmental benefits inherit in sustainable operations. A progam that reaches building occupants who are not part of the design team or operations & maintenance personnel is still considered an effective education program.

Dear Jason,
Following the same question, I am wondering if i can earn a innovation point by executing Green education program by implementing "Permanent or semi-permanent comprehensive signage posted around the building that explain the sustainability goals" ? My project is a bank headquarters and so the upper levels can be accessed only by the occupants. Only the lower two levels has retail spaces and so the green education program may be open to these visitors who will access these floors. in this case will my initiative be accepted by LEED to claim a point under exemplary performance. And also out of the 3 examples given above, can i use any one of them and claim a point? Please advice. Thanks

A qualifying education program must have at least 2 ongoing components that are actively instructional and that educate building occupants about the specific environmental benefits of the project building. So, signage may count as as one component, but you would need at least one other component in your program. The options listed above are typical components that are included in a program, but you may develop others as well. Also, you should really consider having signage in appropriate areas on more than just the retail floors. Signage in those retail floors may be noticed by visitors, but your regular building occupants are the ones who are in the building every day. They stand to gain the most benefit from the sustainability initiatives and your education program and will be your best advocates to promote the good work you're undertaking at the project building.

Thats great. Then i would suggest my clients to include "Electronic news-teller also". Thanks jason.

I've seen the words "ongoing", as well as "permanent or semi-permanent" mentioned a few times on these forums. Can anyone clarify what is meant by this?

We've earned this credit on past projects without specifying any period of time that it would be maintained. Typically we provide an educational display (could be posters, kiosk, touch screen, etc) in a prominent public location and develop brochures that the client can either print and distribute or post on their website. I would imagine the owner might not keep these up for ever. Is there any stipulation that an educational display or handout would have to be maintained for x number of years, or even for the life of the building?

The green building tour is another strategy we've used, but haven't had to specify exactly how often, or for how long it would be implemented. It seems reasonable to ask the client to, at minimum, give tours at their grand opening and then offer tours upon request (or at regular intervals, like once a month, or once a year).

Any thoughts regarding time commitment for this ID credit? Much thanks!

Just making sure I understand this correctly - projects have gotten and ID point for having an education program (whith 2 components) that was for the building occupants ONLY and not open to the public?