Building a brighter future

Brilliant minds come together to initiate a lasting legacy of environmental health

Ecological homes are the central focus of the Green Skyline tours. — Photo courtesy of Cascadia Region Green Building Council

The Cascadia Region Green Building Council is a groundbreaking organization dedicated to the promotion of green buildings in British Columbia, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. The Kootenay/Rockies leaf is aptly located in Nelson, B.C. Cascadia has the support of many eco-friendly businesses, such as the Building Tree—a company that specializes in green building products—which is owned by co-founder and current chair of Cascadia’s Kootenay/Rockies leaf, Paula Kiss.

“The leaf’s steering committee is made up of 10 local community members who are in some way connected with the building sector,” said Robin Urquhart, assistant manager of the Building Tree, “all with a similar vision— helping the Kootenay area make its built environment more efficient, ecologically sensitive and healthy.”

Cascadia is supported by the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology (KAST), which sponsored and helped to organize their recent Green Skyline event in Nelson. This event took participants on a tour through town, highlighting local eco-friendly structures.

“(A) highlight was seeing how achievable building green really is,” said Urquart. “We received very practical information on creating cheaper, more efficient, healthier and sustainable buildings.”