April 10, 2007 – Visitors comment on the natural light streaming throughout the new Liberty Station offices of The San Diego Foundation. Employees enjoy the absence of ‘new building smell.’ But those who are familiar with the green building rating system certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) – the council that awards points for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Certification – know that that the design and construction of The Foundation’s new facility is good not only for the humans passing through it, but also it’s good for the planet. Today, The Foundation announced that its new facility at Liberty Station has received the LEED® Silver Certification.
The San Diego Foundation has served San Diego for over three decades through grantmaking and initiatives that focus on crucial issues like the environment. This May 2007 will mark the sixth year of grantmaking for the Environment Program, with over $4 million in awards to environmental organizations, as well as environmental researchers, to advance solutions to our regions most pressing environmental concerns.
These programs and initiatives have produced significant results for San Diego. The Foundation has supported conservation work of local land trusts, resulting in 15,543 additional acres of land in our region, leveraged public and private funding for conservation work totaling over $91.5 million, as well as in the engagement of over 12,000 volunteers in stewardship of our natural areas, through clean up events, habitat restoration and trail construction.
Today’s announcement underlines The Foundation’s current commitment to environmental conservation and cutting edge technology. The building was designed and constructed according to LEED® green building standards and emphasizing state of the art strategies for energy efficiency, materials selection, water savings and indoor environmental quality.
“This green building rating is indicative of our commitment to the preservation of the region’s natural resources and energy conservation, which are long-time and continuing priorities of The San Diego Foundation,” said Bob Kelly, The Foundation’s president and CEO.
In keeping with the mission of the USGBC to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, The Foundation supports and promotes an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous community.
The Foundation continues to look towards the future by taking steps to raise awareness of environmental issues in and around San Diego County. Most recently, The Foundation has partnered with several organizations in Climate Smart, an initiative launched in San Diego County to deepen community awareness about the local impacts of climate change and to catalyze regional action to grapple with global warming.
“Our environment research and grantmaking, our LEED certification, and the Climate Smart initiative are all expressions of our focus on the environment – and ultimately, our care for the common good of all San Diegans,” says Dr. Emily Young, Associate Vice President of Community Partnerships and Director of The Foundation’s Environment program.
About The San Diego Foundation
Founded in 1975, The San Diego Foundation is a broad-purpose community foundation helping individuals, families and organizations carry out their charitable plans, with the common goals of improving the quality of life in the greater San Diego region, now and for generations to come.
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