Missouri Green Schools Honors 17 Schools for Sustainability Strides
Missouri Green Schools Honors 17 schools for their commitment to improving the health and wellness of students and staff, lowering their environmental impact, and providing place-based education.We’re thrilled to announce the 2022 Missouri Green Schools (MGS) honorees.
“By achieving Sprout, Seedling and Sapling level recognition these Missouri schools are embracing green and healthy practices within their campuses, curriculum, and culture,” said Hope Gribble, MGS co-director.
Sprout schools are honored for involving school administration, beginning to benchmark and track improvement, and setting goals towards further advancement of green and healthy practices. Seedling schools additionally document a sustainability-related achievement in at least one educational program. Sapling schools additionally document their long term impacts, such as reduction of energy or water usage over a 1 to 3 year period.
Missouri Green Schools will continue to support these 17 schools as they track achievements, set new goals, and strive to make a difference in the lives of their students and staff and in their communities.
WELCOME: Building Energy Exchange St. Louis Director, Malachi Rein!
We are excited to welcome the new Building Energy Exchange St. Louis DirectorMalachi Rein! Welcome to the Green Buildings Are Better community and Missouri Gateway team, Malachi! To help get to know Malachi (Mal-uh-ki) our Engagement and Outreach Committee asked a few Member Spotlight questions. Here’s Malachi…
My name is Malachi Rein and I have a B.S. in Architectural Engineering which means that I have the technical capacity to understand buildings through design, construction, and operations. I have also studied communications which I hope will help our message resonate with everyone we interact with. My work experience brings a Facilities Management/Owner’s Representative perspective as the Building Energy Exchange St. LouisDirector.
So much of our work is with people, pure and simple.
We can sustain our health and planet while lowering operational costs. We can connect resources that are often desperately needed to people and communities. This work will create a lasting investment that frees up capital and creates healthier, happier lives. Ultimately, we need a continuation of the paradigm shift in the built environment to bring sustainable building principles to the hearts and habits of our society.
Our goals require buy-in from building owners and managers. Our success is built on qualified expertise from design, construction, and operations teams. We have our work cut out for us, but it is such positive, tangible, and impactful work.
Sustainability Passon:
Buildings are so much to people. At a base level they shelter us and provide a safe haven. They also serve as a place of self-expression from the small and personally important details we surround ourselves with to their place as the background fabric of our communities.
We spend our lives in and around buildings with many of our most defining memories and experiences attached to these places and the people in our lives bringing them alive.
Our buildings also have great capacity to hold us back when they impact our health and wellbeing. Difficulties in life can be made so much harder when the bills are too much or the solace of our space is broken by unforeseen events. It is a delicate balance. The good news is, we can invest in our buildings so that more of our lives exist around what we want to love and appreciate. In equal measure we can also sustain the ability for our children and beyond to live healthy and meaningful lives.
Most meaningful experience with USGBC & the built environment:
I was able to participate in a number of trainings and certificate programs that I greatly enjoyed with USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council). These provided transferrable skills and perspectives that enriched not only my professional performance, but that of those I worked with and the tasks we worked on together. My green building certificate and training programs also brought me closer to some of the staff and partners I now have the great privilege of working with in the role as our new Building Energy Exchange St. Louis Director.
What will most impact the future of green building:
Passion and community. There is a future where we don’t get the work done. That is not a future that any of us will enjoy. There are so many good, smart, and talented people in this community that, together, we can chart a path of building energy solutions that work for everyone.
Favorite LEED Project:
I had the pleasure of spending some time in the Y2E2 building at Stanford (LEED Platinum®, awaiting performance data). It felt as though they put their efforts behind their principles while maintaining the architectural form and balance of their existing aesthetic.
Favorite place in the Gateway region
The viewing platform of the Compton Hill Water Tower, which is currently closed until it can be repaired. At the top of 198 stairs, the windows provide a cross breeze and a panoramic perspective that has been static for a century and a quarter; a stone in the river of time as the water that is Saint Louis flows around it.
Call for Proposals 2023 – Buildings As Climate Solutions
Call for Proposals 2023: Are you a change maker in your industry?An advocate for climate protection, racial equity, and community?“SHOW ME” your Green Building SOLUTIONS. We can build our way out of climate change disasters. Review our Call for Proposals and get on our 2023 Education Calendar!
Your local U.S. Green Building Council-Missouri Gateway Chapter is now accepting 2023 PROGRAM PROPOSALS presenting immediate solutions to our communities’ immediate problems. Having the latest green building education is an ongoing feature of Missouri Gateway events. Are you taking actions beyond commitments? Then, you are ready to SUBMIT HERE to get on our 2023 CALENDAR BY: Monday, January 2, 2022 @ 5:00 pm CT. Together, we can transform our built environment.
Engaging, interactive approaches to enhance learning are desired!
Do you know a project or professional that is addressing immediate solutions to our communities’ immediate problems? Share this SUBMISSION APPLICATION by using the URL, https://bit.ly/ShowMeYourSolutions
In order for us to maximize collaboration with green building professionals and communities, and ensure our exchange of information benefits from the diversity, talent and expertise of our Missouri Gateway region*, preference will be given to educational content of a 200 – 300 level addressing:
1.) What needs to change with the way we build today? (Or don’t build?)
2.) Specific examples of Climate Adaptation & Resiliency
3.) Connecting Green Building and Environmental Sustainability Governance (ESG)
4.) Adaptive Reuse of our Buildings and Built Environment
5.) Shifting from Energy Efficiency to Carbon Reduction
6.) The national focus on Infrastructure – How do Buildings fit in?
The climate crisis is now, and resiliency in our built environment cannot be truewithoutequity in our built environment. The “pandemic, high heat, flash floods, and electrical outages taught us that we need each other. We have solutions, we need public will; and public policy,” says USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter committee member Susan Armstrong MS, PE. OurGreen Buildings Are Better community is asking, do you have the engineering and architectural solutions? Then,
*USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter territory covers the St. Louis metropolitan area, Southern Illinois, mid-Missouri and southwestern Missouri. Cities within Missouri Gateway’s territory also include Columbia (MO) and Springfield (MO).
On the evening of July 12th, 2022, U.S. Green Building Council—Missouri Gateway Chapter hosted our monthly educational program with Building Energy Exchange St. Louis, a project of Missouri Gateway Chapter, at Rockwell Beer Company. Fueled by delicious appetizers and an open bar, the 53 attendees of the event listened to speaker Aaron Michels, Director of Operations at Energy Resources Group, Inc., discuss energy efficiency and energy inefficiency. Michels’ presentation first defined for us what the split incentive problem is, before going into consequences, case studies, and potential remedies of the issue. As defined by Michels,
the split incentive problem is when landlords lack the appropriate incentives to implement energy efficiency measures, not only costing their tenants money, but also negatively impacting the environment by releasing more pollutants than necessary.
Michels also highlighted how low-income tenants face energy poverty or a higher energy burden, meaning they allocate significantly more of their household income to energy expenditures than other renters. Since tenants have little power in the rental arrangement, this is a difficult situation to absolve.
July 12, 2022 evening educational program attendees at Rockwell Beer Company while Aaron Michels presents, “Solving The Split Incentive Problem – Reframing Investment in Energy Efficiency for Building Owners & Tenants.”
However, Michels did provide some ideas for eliminating the issue. First, he proposed a need for increased awareness, education, and outreach among owners, tenants, and the brokerage community about the value of green leases. A green lease, in simple terms, is
a rental agreement whereby a tenant shares the cost burden of sustainability initiatives with the building owner1.
These initiatives include expenses such as water and energy conservation, waste reduction, and recycling. Initially these investments will likely infer a cost on the parties, but will ultimately lead to savings down the line, as energy bills can be greatly decreased.
Another remedy could be energy efficiency mortgages (PACE financing)—externally funded loans attached to the property. A benefit of this action is that capital improvements can be done at one time but paid off in installments. A third solution is on-bill financing, where capital improvements are tied directly to utility company payments and for large residential; increased incentives to counter the split incentive. On a more macro level, green building codes can be stricter, which has the potential to benefit all new housing developments, including buildings for low-income tenants. An additional policy response that has the potential to be effective is a weatherization assistance program, engaging tenants to help improve their leased space.
Speaker far right in blue, Aaron Michels and panelists from right to left; Tristan Walker, Jon Nichols, and Kevin Bryant with program attendees after Q&A at Rockwell Beer Co.
After we had a clear and comprehensive perspective on the split incentive problem, members had the opportunity to ask questions to a series of panelists who are experts in their field. The panelists included:
Kevin Bryant, Executive Founder, Developer & President of Kingsway Development
Jon Nichols, Director of Sustainability at Antheus Capital & Mac Development
Tristan Walker, Principal of Heritage Properties St. Louis
There were multitudes of questions ranging from “how can landlords/management companies be incentivized to improve energy efficiency” to “what can individuals do if they have a short-term lease, but still want to improve energy efficiency.”
Bird, S., & Hernández, D. (2012, September 1). Policy options for the split incentive: Increasing energy efficiency for low-income renters. Energy policy. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4819331/
Building Energy Performance Standards Info Session – Building Energy Exchange St. Louis, City STL. YouTube. (2022, July 23). Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://youtu.be/2i8cK095ZL8
A reflection post of the July evening educational program, “Solving The Split Incentive Problem – Reframing Investment in Energy Efficiency for Building Owners & Tenants” with resource links and live event recordings; written by Avery McCammon, Washington University in St. Louis undergrad student, summer 2022.
Be a part of the green building movement & help us make every building a green building!
USGBC-Missouri Gateway is currently seeking nominations for At-Large seats on our Board of Directors. All terms begin in 2023. Nominations are due by 5 pm Central Time on Monday, August 8, 2022.
Self nominations are accepted and encouraged. Nominees must be a member in good standing with USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter and must currently serve or have previously served on a Chapter committee or as a Chapter volunteer. The online nomination form, can be found here.
In 2015, USGBC-Missouri Gateway shifted our board nomination and election process, and no longer hold general elections. Nominations are accepted from the membership. The Governance Committee collects nominations and ensures eligibility of nominees. The committee then consults a matrix of leadership needs to determine a slate to present to the board for approval. The committee expects to present a slate to the board for discussion at the September 2022 board meeting.
The Building Energy Exchange St. Louis (BE-Ex STL) is a project of USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter. BE-Ex STL (pronounced ‘B’ ‘X’ STL) aims to advance building energy performance by mobilizing the professional expertise, funding, and technical resources our local real estate industry needs to address affordability, improve the health and comfort of residents, and position St. Louis as a resilient and carbon neutral region. Now that this new local energy hubsupporting high performing buildings is up and running, we are seeking an ambitious and passionate candidate to accelerate the growth and success of Building Energy Exchange STL.
This is a full time position with a full benefits package – APPLY NOW!
Thank you to Cara Spencer, the inaugural BE-Ex STL director, for setting us up for success. She has recently resigned and we have named Jessica Deem, NCARB / LEED AP BD+C as interim director as of June 27, 2022.
Missouri Green Schools (MGS) just completed its inaugural year as a state level support and recognition program and selected its first round of honorees. Six Missouri schools have been awarded Sprout Level recognition for their commitment to improving health and wellness of students and staff, lowering their environmental impact, and providing place-based education. Schools that embark on the MGS journey are taking steps to make an impactful difference in the lives of their students, staff, and surrounding communities.
The following schools achieved Sprout Level by involving school administration, beginning to benchmark and track improvement, and setting goals towards further advancement of green and healthy practices:
Central High School, Springfield Public School District, Springfield
Central Primary School, Ferguson-Florissant School District, Ferguson
Forsyth School, Independent, St. Louis
Hixson Middle School, Webster Groves School District, Webster Groves
Patrick Henry Downtown Academy, St. Louis Public School District, St. Louis
St. Francis of Assisi School, Independent, St. Louis
We appreciate the time and consideration you will put in to enhance the growth and development of your USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter experience, needs, and programs. The 2021 Membership Survey should take about 15 minutes with thoughtful responses. Thank you!
During our annual joint Board and Committee Chair meeting in September 2021, we will review the results of the 2021 Membership Survey and how we can incorporate your opinions and suggestion into:
Fostering Green Building Leaders of the Future
Green Schools Quest
Missouri Green Schools
Advancing Buildings As Climate Solutions
Education
Advocacy
Maintaining Organizational Sustainability
We are excited to hear your feedback about being a member of USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter! Thank you for being part of thisGreen Buildings Are Better community. We could not do this without you.
When you complete this Membership Survey you will be entered into a drawing to WIN A YEAR-LONG CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP and fun Chapter swag (a baseball cap + pint glass). Three winners will be drawn at random after August 11, 2021.
While all topics related to green building and sustainable communities will be considered, preference will be given to:
Proposals that demand ambition and action TODAY to accelerate sustainable solutions that will create a resilient, prosperous, and equitable future.
Engaging, interactive approaches to enhance learning are also desired. If you are a business developer and can submit a proposal on a colleagues behalf, please do so.
Out of the Box: Fresh, concise, inspiring, engaging and non-traditional.
If you have any questions regarding educational program specifics please email Fredericka Brandt at fbrandt@mobot.org. Thank you in advance for submitting your proposal and participating in this Green Buildings Are Better community.
Be a part of the green building movement & help us make every building a green building!
USGBC-Missouri Gateway is currently seeking nominations for At-Large board directors. All terms begin in 2022. Nominations are due by 5 pm Central Time on Monday, August 30, 2021.
Self nominations are accepted and encouraged. Nominees must be a member in good standing with USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter and must currently serve or have previously served on a Chapter committee or as a Chapter volunteer. The online nomination form, can be found here.
In 2015, USGBC-Missouri Gateway shifted our board nomination and election process, and no longer hold general elections. Nominations are still accepted from the membership. The Governance Committee collects nominations and ensures eligibility of nominees. The committee then consults a matrix of leadership needs to determine a slate to present to the board for approval. The committee expects to present a slate to the board for discussion at the October 2021 board meeting.
