Historic Green - SP'10 - Newsletter

PlanetReuse feels so strongly about the meaningful work Historic Green is doing that our founder made the trip to New Orleans for the organization’s most recent volunteer event. Historic Green is a volunteer-led collaboration that works tirelessly to revitalize New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. From the tragedy of Katrina, the organizers of Historic Green saw an opportunity to rebuild in a way that respects New Orleans’ rich traditions while introducing significant sustainable initiatives.

The goal of Historic Green is to transform New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward and Holy Cross as the nation's first zero carbon community. It meets this objective through a true grassroots structure, in which volunteers from across the country join together each spring to tackle neighborhood-based projects. Historic Green’s most recent project, the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association and Center for Sustainable Economic Development headquarters, aims for LEED Platinum certification. These efforts improve livability while increasing public awareness about green design and heritage conservation.

Many of Historic Green’s volunteers are industry professionals, like-minded individuals who share ideas and forge connections that resonate far beyond a single project.   

Historic Green calls what they are doing “sustainable preservation.” We call it inspiration. To donate to or volunteer for the cause, visit www.historicgreen.com.

Support New Orleans Historic Green!

From March 9th through the 19th, New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward and Holy Cross hopes to restore, create, preserve, sustain, and green their neighborhood by rebuilding as the nation's first zero carbon community! Historic Green is a non-profit formed in part by USGBC Central Plains EGB Leaders whose project may be the first project in the nation "designed to integrate sustainable restoration practices with preservation of an entire historic community."

HG is in it's third year as a ten-day volunteer project led by a network of hundreds of young professional and student volunteers in the green building industry. Among those making the journey for this volunteer opportunity will be Nathan Benjamin, Founder+Principal of PlanetReuse. In the past two years, homes have been weatherized, rain gardens built, damaged homes deconstructed, playgrounds restored, and educational programs have been put into place. While these projects continue, the newest HG volunteer project, aimed at LEED Platinum certification, will be the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association and Center for Sustainable Economic Development’s headquarters.

If you would like to donate you time, materials, or financial assistance to Historic Green and their outstanding cause, please check out the HG website!