Joel Sisolak, Cascadia's Advocacy and Outreach Director, recently sent an email to our members regarding the ongoing process around the MRc7 Leed Credit. Read the note below and learn how to remain engaged around this important issue.

Dear Friends,

Earlier in the year, Cascadia Green Building Council members and supporters were asked to comment on draft #3 of the “Certified Wood” credit, or MRc7, of the USGBC LEED system.  We published and widely distributed a guidance document to help our members understand the high stakes of this process and encourage active engagement in pushing for truly exemplary forestry.

Today, Cascadia members and supporters are strongly urged to continue to participate in the ongoing process around the MRc7 LEED credit.  Sustainable forestry is a key aspect of green building, and the most visible green building benchmarking system, LEED, should promote the highest existing standard for forestry and forest products. 

Cascadia strongly urges you to re-read the guidance document linked above, then:

Prepare to vote. If you are a USGBC member, you must opt in to the consensus body by Wednesday July 21st to be eligible to vote on the final proposed benchmark and MRc7 credit revision. If you already opted in during the 3rd Comment Period, you do not need to do so again.

Monitor the final stages of this process closely. If the ballot proposal fails to adequately protect our forests and forest communities, USGBC members have the ability to vote down the proposed changes to LEED. Cascadia will contact you to make our actual voting recommendation known once a final USGBC ballot becomes public (now anticipated in August 2010). 

Thanks for your commitment to sustainable forestry.

Yours,

Joel Sisolak
Advocacy and Outreach Director

PS:  You can learn more about Cascadia’s commitment to sustainable forestry by visiting our website.