» Building Construction, HVAC, and Landscape Design

The sustainable landscape featuring native plants is a rapidly expanding trend in horticulture. Native plants enhance the local ecology by providing habitat for wildlife and support for pollinators. A number of important ornamentals have been identified as invasive and will no longer be available due to plant bans, both voluntary and involuntary. Native species are by definition not invasive and offer a sustainable alternative. This article previously appeared in the Connecticut Botanical Society Newsletter About the Author: Dr. Jessica Lubell is an Associate Professor of Horticulture at the University of Connecticut. She has 15 years of experience working with the green industry. She has worked closely with growers to expand production of new native shrubs. Dr. Lubell is the 2015 recipient of the New England Nursery Association Young Nursery Professional Award. You can follow her research and outreach work on Facebook at Native Plant Gal. Read More

This report provides an overview of expected housing density changes and related impacts to private forests on America’s islands in the Pacific and Carribbean, specifically Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The vulnerability of island forests to conversion for housing development, introduction and spread of invasive species, and risk of uncharacteristic wildfire, among other concerns are discussed. The maps and projections suggest that in localized areas from 3 to 25 percent of private forest land is likely to experience a substantial increase in housing density from 2000 to 2030. Resource managers, developers, community leaders, and landowners should consider the impacts of housing development and invasive species on ecosystem services in coming decades. Read More

Research on the current situation and trends in buildings and facility operations. Summarizes the steps necessary for building automation technicians to obtain the skills required to operate high performance buildings today and in the future. Read More

KEEP receives its primary funding through Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources, and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas Read More

Article describes a Louisiana State University scientific experiment with road pavement that reduces pollution through self-cleaning and air purification qualities. Basic evaluation and data collection methods for a year-long study are described. Read More

Find information on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies available for licensing developed by U.S. Department of Energy laboratories and participating research institutions. Includes 300 technical summaries, 11,000 patents, and 3,000 patents pending. Read More

Instructions, guides, and videos for running a school or district-wide program to improve indoor air quality. Read More

Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That’s because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. Read More