Advance your knowledge of sustainable landscapes concepts and practices through on-demand courses, live events and recordings of previous events. Learn about SITES and fulfill continuing education requirements.&
Education
Access online, on-demand courses to become an expert in SITES and sustainable landscape design, development and management and to earn CE for your SITES AP CMP. Courses are available on the USGBC course catalog for free, a la carte and through a subscription.
Upcoming events
Watch past webinars and events on demand to learn more about SITES and hear from project teams about their processes and tips on achieving certification. Access recordings of previous events.
Texas ASLA Conference
Houston, Texas | April 23-25 2025
Join SITES in Texas for multiple sessions on sustainable land design and development.
"Beyond the Checklist: Helpful Frameworks for Holistic Design" | April 23, 2025 from 1:30-2:30 PM
This session will explore how holistic sustainability frameworks can guide design teams in achieving measurable, meaningful, and site-specific sustainable outcomes. Panelists:
- Jordan Clark, Firmwide Sustainability Leader at TBG Partners
- Heather Gayle Holdridge, Sustainability Director at Lake|Flato Architects
- Danielle Pieranunzi, SITES Director, GBCI/USGBC
"Build Better: Contractor Collaboration for Climate Positive Design" | April 24, 2025 from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
By diving into the design and construction process for two Sustainable SITES Gold Projects in Austin - the Campsite at Shield Ranch and Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park - this session shares best practices for project decarbonization in designed landscapes. Hear directly from the general contractors on what worked and what didn't. Both projects relied on robust collaboration between the design team and contractor to embrace alternative material selection and construction strategies for success.
Panelists:
- Stephanie Saulmon, Ten Eyck Landscape Architects
- Heather Venhaus, Regenerative Environmental Design
- John Patty J. Pinnelli Company General Contractors
- Spencer Cook, Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors
"SITES in Action: Sustainable Landscape Practices Across Urban Austin" | April 24, 2025 from 1:45 -2:45 PM
This session will examine the sustainable design principles of the SITES Initiative through two Austin-based projects: Pharr Tennis Center, and Richard Moya Bus Plaza. Studio Balcones will share insights on how these projects navigated the certification process and implemented the SITES framework to enhance ecological and social resilience. Pharr Tennis Center focuses on green infrastructure, urban biodiversity, and open space within a recreational setting, while Richard Moya Bus Plaza, a SITES Silver project, integrates native plantings and stormwater management into a high-traffic transportation hub. Attendees will learn about the complexities of balancing sustainability with budget, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the critical role of SITES in elevating the sustainability of public spaces.
Panelists:
- Jennifer Orr, Studio Balcones
- Michael Meihaus, Studio Balcones
- Ilse Frank, Studio Balcones
(Re)Building Ecosystems through Ecological Conservation and Restoration: The Business Case for Sustainable Infrastructure in Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah | 8:30 am - 2pm MT, May 2, 2025
Join USGBC Utah to learn about the SITES framework, a rating system that guides, evaluates and certifies a project’s sustainability in the planning, design, construction and management of landscapes and other outdoor spaces.
Hosted in partnership with ASLA Utah and Salt Lake City's Sustainable Infrastructure Committee and Public Lands Department, this forum will also explore how Salt Lake City is implementing its recently updated Sustainable Infrastructure Policy. Attendees will additionally hear from other cities and private projects that have utilized the SITES program for resilience and restoration benefits.
This event is approved for 3 LEED-specific GBCI CEs and 3 AIA LU/HSW. An additional 1 GBCI CE and AIA LU is pending for the tour.
Highlights include:
- An introduction to the SITES rating system
- A case study of the SITES Gold Hewlett Packard Campus in Idaho
- An interactive workshop on Sustainable Infrastructure Policy
- A tour of Salt Lake City's Pioneer Park, which is tracking SITES certification
- USGBC market updates
- Networking time to connect with experienced local practitioners