Mario Martin

WooHOO!!!! I passed all mine!!!!!!!!

Way to go Brandon!! That was a pretty serious battle you faught!! Congrats! and Well done!

I am happy to say two words to y’all…..I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the BEST MOST AMAZING feeling in the world…..To all those who are still struggling through the testing process….stick with it!!! I took the grading portion 10 times….I repeat 10 times…..DON’T QUIT!!!!! It is worth it I promise!!!

Yep, scores are posted! Finally!

Scores are posted.

Has anybody heard when the scores from December test are going to be released? The website says Feb 19.

Thank you Eric for your feedback – invaluable information since many have been asking about the LEED GA exam.

Just sat for the GA Exam and passed on the first attempt. It’s definitely distilled down from the old version of the exams. From my perspective the LEED GA is a great credential for LAs to have the distinction, but without having to go through the specialty portions that are beyond our typical work. Sustainable Sites is where I’m placing my emphasis.

That’s fantastic to know USGBC is taking SiTES seriously. Alot of fellow designers have been very concerned about how SITES and LEED will integrate or if any integration will take place at all!?!?! There are so many great things about SITES that it would be a shame for LEED to miss. Thanks for the note, Heather!

Hey Folks! Just a quick note to say hello and introduce myself. After completing the 2009 report, I resigned as project manager of the Sustainable Sites Initiative to pursue other opportunities and spend more time with my 7 month old son. I am currently working with the USGBC as a subject matter expert to incorporate portions of the Sustainable…[Read more]

Ashley- In urban settings, supplemental irrigation is advantageous for the summer-dry months. Specifically, I’ve used inline subsurface drip. Quality growing medium like compost is important too, along with mycorrhizal fungi applications to help plants thrive through root establishment. Some native plant material I have used are: Juncus…[Read more]

The only requirement for running for office is being a citizen and the ability to raise money.

The legislator happens to be a brick mason. I heard that only 30 percent of the people in the Washington legislature have college degrees. This might say something about their lack of support for teachers, colleges and universities.

Aren’t politicians wonderful? Did he do an apprenticeship to qualify for the bar exam?

does anyone know how rain gardens thrive in the Bay Area? I am wondering because right now, its the rainy season, so everything is getting a lot of water – but when it is summer and dry, how do the plants in the rain garden get their water? What plants do you suggest putting in the rain garden?

In order to pass the new practice act in Washington, we had to capitulate to a legislator who said he “is an apprentice kind of guy”. So now the state LA Board is drawing up rules for the act’s implementation. One of the areas being addressed is this aspect of the legislation. As it stands now, the law gives a big boost to kids of licensed…[Read more]

Hello all
For those of you in the San Fran Bay Area registration for the tour of East Bay native plant gardens just opened. Went last year, will go again this year. http://www.BringingBacktheNatives.net

Thanks much to Chad and Charles. Are there specific details that you used, or did you just design your own details for each specific site? I’m going to look at SSI and see if there are any parking lots in their case studies; looking for pictures of good examples to show client that it can look good as well as earn them LEED credits!

Naomi-
If 6″ curbs are a must, explore the possibility of using curb cuts at regular intervals or where it makes sense….the cuts will still allow runoff to enter the depression. Clay soils? Maybe grade soil towards a central trench/basin filled with gravel. Put an underdrain at the bottom of the gravel and follow Charles’ suggestion of piping…[Read more]

Naomi
We have done quite a few parking lots with the planting islands as depressed catchment areas. Most of the time we have to plumb them together to get rid of the water as infiltration is not good. One problem I have seen is that these areas tend collect litter and looks bad unless cleaned oftern.