New England Wild Flower Society is very pleased to announce the U.S. Green Building Council has awarded the Native Plant Center at Nasami Farm its LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold Certification. LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect their potential environmental impacts. Additionally, 10 bonus credits are available, four of which address regionally specific environmental issues. A project must satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points to be certified. A Certified level is issued at 40+ points; Silver is 50+ points; Gold is 60+ points; and Platinum is 80+ points.

Debbi Edelstein, Executive Director, stated: "This was a tremendous team effort from beginning to end. We are especially grateful to or architects, Architerra, and particularly Peter Makrauer, who served as LEED coordinator and steered this project through the certification process. Many thanks are also due to Ruah Donnelly and the building committee; Steve Ceglarski of the Wyatt Group; the team at Scapes Construction, especially Al Blowers and Mark Doubleday; Van Zelm Engineers; Berkshire Design Group; Towers Golde; and Tighe and Bond."

Daniel Bernstein of Architerra, Inc., stated, "The Native Plant Center achieves a green design on a conventional budget, that lives lightly on the land, and serves as an example of the inspiring mission and principles of New England Wild Flower Society."

The US Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that developed "LEED as an internationally recognized green building certification system,  providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most. LEED-certified buildings are designed to: 

• Lower operating costs and increase asset value.
• Reduce waste sent to landfills.
• Conserve energy and water.
• Be healthier and safer for occupants.
• Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
• Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities.
• Demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

"LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions."