Tara Merrill will discuss “Green Growth Guidelines: A Low Impact Development Strategy for Coastal Georgia” at the Aug. 28 meeting of the Savannah chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Green Growth Guidelines (G3) was sponsored and funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Coastal Regional Development Center. G3 provides development planning, design, construction, and management strategies that protect the ecological integrity of vital natural resources and yield economic and social benefits as well. The program’s primary goal is to maintain functional wildlife habitat and acceptable water quality conditions in the region. G3 is a site-scaled tool designed to work in tandem with other existing programs including USGBC’s LEED program.
While development is usually a serial process where one expert starts something and passes it on to the next, the Green Growth Guidelines encourages an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to create a product in balance with its surroundings.
“When you talk to people, the reason why they love this place is its natural beauty,” Merrill said. “Growing green is important to all of us – we need to protect and preserve the vital resources which give us our sense of place. As the pressure of development bears down, it is absolutely crucial that we maintain a healthy balance between the natural and built environments. Now is the time to step up to ensure the longevity of our valuabl e coast.”
Merrill is the lead author and co-designer of “Green Growth Guidelines.” She is an environmental biologist and the owner of Environmental Science and Technologies, Inc. in Savannah.
The meeting is free and open to the public. It will be held from 5:45-7 p.m. on the second floor of Wild Wing Cafe in City Market. RSVP to Tommy Linstroth by Aug. 24 at: tlinstroth@melaver.com
The Savannah Chapter of the United States Green Building Council is dedicated to promoting sustainable design and green building throughout the Creative Coast. The group meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday of the month. The meetings are open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend. The USGBC-Savannah Chapter seeks to educate the public on the long-term benefits of green building and how sustainable design can be integrated or implemented into one's life. www.coastalgreen.orgTo learn more about Green Growth Guidelines, visit http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us