The Sustainable SITES Initiative

In Memphis, Tennessee, SITES Certified Tom Lee Park was designed with the fundamental belief that equity does not sit in opposition to a thriving, appealing riverfront. It is, in fact, central to it. If connections to the community are broadened – and deepened – Memphis gains new perspective and support, and in the best circumstances, the community strengthens. If there is anything the riverfront teaches us, it is this: public space and the pursuit of equity are more important than ever. Using the sustainable land design and development strategies found in the SITES rating system, Tom Lee achieved many benefits for users, and for the surrounding ecosystem: ??Potable water: The site reduced water usage by 50% compared to the baseline case using a highly efficient irrigation system and native and adaptive planting communities. ?? Native plant communities: The site restored 40% of the project’s total land with native plant communities. ?? Regional materials: 66% of the materials, by cost, were extracted, harvested, recovered, and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site. ?? Outdoor energy: Energy used by outdoor lighting was reduced by 83%. "SITES certification was essential for Tom Lee Park because it reflects our commitment to sustainability and protecting and restoring nature," said Art Davis, Acting CEO, Memphis River Parks Partnership. "This certification recognizes the park not only provides a beautiful, welcoming, and safe public space but also prioritizes environmental health, habitat restoration, and long-term sustainability. By meeting SITES standards, Tom Lee Park serves as a model for how urban parks can enhance community well-being while respecting, maintaining, and restoring the natural environment." Project team: SCAPE Landscape Architecture DPC, landscape architect Kimley-Horn, civil engineer Thornton Tomasetti, structural engineer Applied Ecological Services, ecologist Innovative Engineering Services, LLC, MEP DataBased+, sustainability Randy Burkett Lighting Design, lighting design Theaster Gates, artist and social innovator for “A Monument to Listening” James Little, artist for sunset canopy basketball court Montgomery Martin Contractors, contractor https://bit.ly/43sdAnk

Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) provides frameworks that assist organizations in addressing climate change and preserving ecosystems. Through SITES certification, projects promote sustainable and resilient land design by utilizing nature-based solutions to enhance biodiversity and protect vital ecosystems. For more information, check out the latest edition of the GBCI Digest.

Iconic green buildings: USGBC continues to celebrate unique green buildings certified through #LEED, The Sustainable SITES Initiative and more. In the latest from USGBC+, discover Olympic House, home of the International Olympics committee, and LEED Platinum certified. https://bit.ly/3FFzvgY

In today's world, creating landscapes that are environmentally responsible is more critical than ever. Become a U.S. Green Building Council member at the Silver level or higher, to take advantage of an exclusive opportunity and register a SITES project with a 20% discount. https://bit.ly/44XCHg7

Join SITES at the Texas American Society of Landscape Architects conference in Houston, April 23-25. Check out "Beyond the Checklist: Helpful Frameworks for Holistic Design", which will explore how holistic sustainability frameworks can guide design teams in achieving measurable, meaningful, and site-specific sustainable outcomes. Panelists: - Jordan Clark, Firmwide Sustainability Leader at TBG Partners - Heather Gayle Holdridge, Sustainability Director at Lake|Flato Architects -Danielle Pieranunzi, SITES Director, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) Register now: https://lnkd.in/e4cffNgG

The SITES and #LEED Gold certified May Lee State Office Complex, a new home for 5,000+ state employees in Sacramento, is the largest zero-carbon, all-electric workplace campus in the U.S. This project provides a case study for how a campus of this scale and complexity can be decarbonized by a holistic approach to minimizing its carbon footprint. Key features include: ??? A stormwater management system, capable of handling 80th percentile rain events. ?? 77% of the landscape was restored with native plants. The use of either native or climate-adaptive plants will save up to 75% of irrigation water once established. ?? Carbon sequestration from trees over 50 years will increase by 1200% compared to existing site conditions. Congratulations to the project team: Owner: California Department of General Services (DGS) Construction Manager / Owner’s Rep: Kitchell General Contractor: HENSEL PHELPS Architect: ZGF Architects Landscape Architect: RELM Civil Engineer: Morton & Pitalo, Inc. https://lnkd.in/ebrSWZme

Have you worked on a SITES project team? The call for presentations for the American Society of Landscape Architects Conference on Landscape Architecture 2025 and Greenbuild International Conference & Expo 2025 have issued their calls for presentations! Learn more. https://bit.ly/4gfhdzJ

Do you have a SITES story to tell? #Greenbuild2025 has opened its call for session proposals through Friday, February 28 and we encourage you to submit. Submitting a proposal is the first step to sharing your work in sustainable land design and development at the world's largest green building conference in Los Angeles, Nov 5-7. https://bit.ly/3CoyMPV

Submit a session proposal for the American Society of Landscape Architects 2025 Conference on Landscape Architecture by February 18! SITES projects pioneer sustainability leadership and have important insights to share with the landscape architecture community as we work toward a resilient and regenerative future. We would love to support you in telling your story - email us at?[email protected]?if you submit a proposal! https://lnkd.in/e74GSJUf

The built environment is crucial in restoring biodiversity with regenerative design practices. Check out our newest member-exclusive report, "Nature's Blueprint: Enhancing Biodiversity Through Design," to learn about incorporating biodiversity. Learn more and view the key insights. https://bit.ly/3ALSrIN