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New resource! Release of an Envision-verified Project Submission

10-August-2022

The most comprehensive project example provided by ISI to date comes from this intermodal transit center project located in the Berryessa district of San Jose, California

For the first time, specific details and Envision documentation from a verified project have been made available as a resource to help other Envision users. This resource includes the Envision scorecard and several Envision credit submittals—including coversheets and supporting documentation—for the Berryessa Transit Center Project, which was awarded Envision Platinum in March 2021.

The project’s owner, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and the lead Envision firm for the project, Keish Environmental, have graciously granted permission to ISI to release their Envision project submission, and it’s now available as a resource to anyone with an ISI account. A link to the materials can be found on users’ dashboards under “Verification Resources” after logging into the ISI site: https://v4.sustainableinfrastructure.org/login.

Every Envision-verified project is different, with a specific context, requirements, and aspirations that cannot be easily extrapolated to another project. Still, the specificity of an actual project example can be tremendously valuable in adding a further layer of insight and visibility into the verification process.

Applicants are expected to find this resource very instructive, as it makes available the written responses and supporting documentation used to meet Envision requirements during project verification.

“The example provides all the materials submitted by the Berryessa project for seven Envision v3 credits,” notes Kristi Wamstad, ISI’s verification director. “It also includes verifier comments and additional documentation from the project team’s resubmission for the second review. This resource really offers Envision users an authentic insight into the verification process.”

“We are indebted to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and Keish Environmental for granting permission to make available their project submission, as this is easily the most comprehensive project example provided by ISI to date,” said Melissa Peneycad, ISI’s managing director.

Berryessa Transit Center: A stand-out example Envision project

There’s also excitement across the Envision community about the high caliber of the first project to be made public. The Platinum-Awarded Berryessa Transit Center delivered diverse, interrelated benefits for environmental justice, restoration of the natural world, adding public space and amenities, improving local character, improving the community’s long-term sustainability, and more.

As ISI’s award announcement highlighted last year, this intermodal transit center located in the Berryessa district of San Jose, California, is a shining example of integrating sustainability in as much of the project footprint as possible, from EV chargers – to a new, multi-modal trail – to habitat restoration in an urban environment – to a contemplative garden honoring the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area.

“We’re thrilled to have the first Envision-verified project to be shared as a unique resource that can accelerate the use of Envision to evaluate and deliver on sustainability,” said Ann Calnan, Manager of Environmental Programs at Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.

“It is an honor to be able to ‘go public’ with a project that I am so proud to have worked on, complete with the supporting documentation, knowing how this may assist other Envision users in preparing their projects for verification,” said Rachael Keish, CEO of Keish Environmental.

ISI hopes the release of materials from the Berryessa Transit Center project will inspire other project teams to make their project documentation public, as sharing actual project examples can accelerate sustainability practices and the use of Envision as a vital tool for accomplishing that.

While the information provided in this resource does not supersede the guidance and requirements established in the Envision Guidance Manual (v3), the Guide to Envision Verification for Applicants, Credit Amendments (v3), and ISI Policies, ISI believes this example project submission offers valuable support to applicants and opens a new window into the verification process.

Questions about this resource, or other resources available to applicants, can be directed to info@sustainableinfrastructure.org.

About the partner organizations

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of the region. VTA is responsible for bus, light rail, and paratransit operations and serves as the county’s congestion management agency implementing specific highway improvement projects and performing countywide transportation planning including bikeways and pedestrian facilities. Visit www.vta.org.

Keish Environmental

Keish Environmental provides sustainability, program/construction management, and environmental compliance services. Founded in 2014, the firm specializes in ensuring regulatory permit conditions, stormwater quality requirements, and environmental document mitigations are implemented in the field to allow smooth project delivery. Sustainability is a core value at the firm and our staff are certified as both LEED and Envision Sustainability Professionals (ENV SPs). The firm’s practical approach to implementation helps projects achieve the highest levels of sustainability, while completing work on budget and on schedule. Keish Environmental is a certified small business. Visit https://keishenv.com.

ISI Releases New Envision Credit Amendments

9-August-2022

Developed in collaboration with ISI’s Envision Review Board, two new credit amendments have been approved and are now on ISI users’ dashboards — amendments #008 and #009 (part of the Credit Amendments (v3) consolidated package under “Verification Resources” at https://v4.sustainableinfrastructure.org/login). Users can refer to the resource shown with a red box in the screenshot below:

The Envision guidance manual is the official reference for project assessments. Credit Amendments from ISI modify the manual to clarify how Envision credits are assessed and verified in certain situations encountered by real projects.

As a reminder, ENV SPs and other Envision users should periodically check your dashboard every few months to be sure they have the most up-to-date resources as ISI may add or amend resources at any time.

ISI Delivers Opening Keynote at Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Conference

9-June-2022

The return of the CSCE conference included a plenary from ISI and a workshop that equipped participants on use of the Envision Framework.

Whistler, B.C. — CSCE 2022 was a huge success, bringing 550 practitioners and academics here from 14 countries — one of the best opportunities to date to communicate the value of the Envision Sustainability Framework in Canada. ISI’s Managing Director Melissa Peneycad gave the opening plenary on May 25, describing how the framework can be used to plan, design and deliver sustainable infrastructure projects and provided illustrative examples from across the country. There are already 12 projects that have earned Envision awards for sustainability, including Infrastructure Canada’s Samuel de Champlain Bridge Project in Montréal, the Northeast False Creek Renewal and Development Project in Vancouver, British Columbia, STM’s Underground Garage near the Côte-Vertu Metro Station in Montréal, and most recently, the Centerm Expansion Project in the Port of Vancouver.

In addition to there being an Envision Canada booth, a full-day Envision workshop was held on May 24, where attendees had an opportunity to discover in depth how to use the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework to advance sustainability on projects. The workshop was led by ISI-approved Envision-accredited trainers Quin MacKenzie, Bronwyn Worrick and Jill Roth from luuceo consulting (more info).

Conference attendees also heard keynotes from, among others, Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, the Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and his provincial counterpart, Hon. Bowinn Ma, who is B.C.’s Minister of State for Infrastructure and is herself a civil engineer with a background in transportation engineering.

CSCE and ISI look forward to continuing to work together to advance sustainable infrastructure practices from coast to coast to coast.

 

Terminal Expansion Project at Port of Vancouver Receives Envision Platinum Award

31-May-2022

The Centerm Expansion Project and the South Shore Access Project at the Port of Vancouver have obtained an Envision Platinum Award for Sustainability.

This design-build project centers on terminal expansion and improvements which will increase container and vessel handling capacity, but includes off-terminal improvements to the adjacent road and rail network. The combined project will help meet the increasing export and import demand for containers shipped through the Port of Vancouver.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is concurrently delivering these improvements with project partner WSP Canada, Inc. (the lead Envision Firm); AECOM; Centennial Expansion Partners (CXP), a joint venture between Dragados Canada, Jacob Brothers Construction, and Fraser River Pile & Dredge Inc.

This award recognizes the success of the project team in achieving sustainability goals in these areas:

— Prioritizing the needs and goals of the local communities through meaningful investments.
— Meaningful and credible stakeholder engagement.
— Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions
— Sustainable siting and innovative marine restoration.

View the full announcement in our Project Directory.

Announcing the Launch of Envision Canada to Accelerate Sustainable Infrastructure Practices from Coast to Coast to Coast

23-March-2022

The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) and the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) are pleased to announce the launch of Envision® Canada.

Envision Canada is a partnership between CSCE and ISI to advance sustainable infrastructure practices in Canada by accelerating the use of the Envision sustainable infrastructure framework.

Envision is a holistic sustainability framework and rating system that enables a thorough examination of the sustainability and resiliency of all types of infrastructure. It is the only comprehensive tool in North America that can assist government agencies and their consultants and contractors in delivering infrastructure that tackles communities’ most pressing challenges, including improving the quality of life for everyone, creating good jobs, increasing economic growth, supporting climate resilience, reducing emissions, and cultivating social equity and cohesiveness.

“Envision Canada comes at a time when communities across the country are looking for ways to build a cleaner and greener future,” says Melissa Peneycad, ISI’s Managing Director. “Envision is a  practical tool to support the long-term planning toward a climate-resilient future. I’ve seen firsthand how well it works in the Canadian context and its alignment with Canadian needs and values. I’m excited to work with CSCE and our members across the country to take Envision use to the next level.”

Envision sets the standard for what constitutes sustainable infrastructure and incentivizes higher performance goals beyond minimum requirements.

In Canada, there are over 400 credentialed Envision Sustainability Professionals (ENV SPs)—people trained in the use of Envision. Twelve Canadian infrastructure projects have earned Envision awards for sustainability, including Infrastructure Canada’s Samuel de Champlain Bridge Corridor in Montréal, Quebec; the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority’s Gordie Howe International Bridge in Windsor, Ontario; the Surrey Biofuel Facility in Surrey, British Columbia; and the Northeast False Creek Renewal and Development project in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“We’re thrilled to be working with ISI to lead sustainable infrastructure development in Canada,” says David Innes, CSCE’s Executive Director.

“We’ll be focused on improving awareness of Envision, building capacity, and fostering innovation,” explains Michael Benson, CSCE Vice President. “Envision Canada is the result of a fantastic partnership between CSCE and ISI and we look forward to working together to accelerate the use of Envision across the country.”

Download the announcement in English

Télécharger l’annonce en français

Access the Envision Canada brochure to learn more.

Anthony Kane featured on Bigger Than Us Podcast

11-March-2022

Newly released on the Bigger Than Us Podcast, ISI’s president and CEO Anthony Kane shares his thoughts on using Envision, assembling diverse teams to improve decision making, making infrastructure more equitable, and more. He was interviewed by Raj Daniels. This 36-minute podcast is very much worth a listen. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, and Anchor.

? Apple: apple.co/3MBgV8w
? Spotify: spoti.fi/3J7SMnO
? Anchor: https://bit.ly/3vPWoqN

 

STM’s new entrance building to the Vendôme metro station in Montréal earns Envision Gold Award

23-February-2022

This is STM’s second Envision-verified project. Previously, STM’s Côte-Vertu garage was awarded Envision Platinum in September, 2021.

–French Translation Follows–

The new entrance building to the Vendôme metro station project in Montréal, Québec was awarded a Gold Envision Rating for sustainable infrastructure. Built in partnership with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), exo, and the McGill University Heath Centre (MUHC); this project was designed to provide universal access to the Vendôme intermodal hub from the MUHC.

The project consists of developing a new entrance to the Vendôme metro station and a pedestrian link between Maisonneuve Boulevard, the Vendôme intermodal hub, and the MUHC. The new Vendôme station infrastructure, including the entrance, train station platforms, a pedestrian tunnel leading to the hospital complex, and walkways, are equipped with elevators and universal accessibility devices, such as enlarged motorized butterfly doors and swing gates.

The aims of this project are to:

— Improve traffic flow and capacity within the station to meet the increasing number of users.
— Connect the MUHC to the Vendôme intermodal hub.
— Make the station universally accessible.
— Improve the operational efficiency of the station.

View the full announcement in the Project Directory.

–French Translation–

Le projet de nouvel édicule de la station de métro Vendôme à Montréal, au Québec, s’est vu décerner la distinction Envision Or pour son infrastructure durable.

Il s’agit du deuxième projet Envision pour la STM. Leur premier était le projet de Garage Côte-Vertu qui a reçu Envision Platine en septembre 2021.

Le projet de nouvel édicule de la station de métro Vendôme à Montréal, au Québec, s’est vu décerner la distinction Envision Or pour son infrastructure durable. Construit en partenariat avec la Société de transport de Montréal (STM), exo et le Centre universitaire de santé McGill (CUSM), ce projet a été conçu pour offrir une accessibilité universelle au pôle multimodal Vendôme depuis le CUSM.

Il comprend la construction d’un nouvel accès menant à la station de métro Vendôme et un lien piétonnier entre le boulevard De Maisonneuve, le pôle multimodal Vendôme et le CUSM. Le nouveau bâtiment d’accès à la station de métro facilite grandement les déplacements pour toutes les clientèles, notamment celle à mobilité réduite. Les quais de la gare exo, le tunnel piétonnier menant vers le Centre universitaire de santé McGill, ainsi que les aménagements de surface sont pourvus d’ascenseurs et de dispositifs d’accessibilité universelle, tels que des portes-papillon motorisées élargies et des portillons à vantaux.

Le projet vise à :

— améliorer la circulation à l’intérieur de la station et sa capacité d’accueil pour tenir compte du nombre croissant d’usagers;
— relier le CUSM au pôle multimodal Vendôme;
— rendre la station universellement accessible;
— améliorer l’efficacité de la station sur le plan opérationnel.

Consultez l’annonce complète dans le répertoire des projets.

2022 Envision Webinar Schedule

17-December-2021

ISI has an impressive line-up of webinar topics and speakers for 2022. Learn timely information, while advancing your knowledge of sustainable, resilient, and equitable infrastructure. Our webinars are designed to meet the needs of a range of sustainability practitioners — from Envision Sustainability Professionals (ENV SPs) who have worked on numerous Envision projects, to those just starting out on their sustainability journey, to everyone in-between.

Please sign up for the webinars of interest to you using the registration links below. Registration is complimentary! (All webinars hosted by ISI qualify for education hours toward maintaining your ENV SP credential. Where noted with an asterisk (*) webinars qualify for prescribed education hours. For current and prospective ENV SPs, please view our Guidance Document for ENV SP Credential Holders for a list of annual credential maintenance requirements.)

 

UPCOMING WEBINARS


💻  Exploring the Nexus of NEPA, Sustainability, and Envision
Presented by Caroline Pinegar, HNTB Corporation; Lauren Evans, Pinyon Environmental, Inc.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

Zoom registration link: Exploring the Nexus of NEPA, Sustainability, and Envision

This webinar will focus on the benefits of starting the Envision process during early planning phases and specifically during the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) process.

The potential advantages and early lessons learned while working on projects that are committed to an Envision certification by the time the NEPA process begins will be discussed.  The presenters’ initial experiences have shown that projects undergoing NEPA are able to take advantage of the synergies between NEPA and Envision and vice versa.

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🆕  Federal Sustainable Infrastructure Initiatives
A presentation by Ingrid Kolb, Director, Office of Management, U.S. Department of Energy
Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

Zoom registration link: Ingrid Kolb, Department of Energy presentation

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💻  Envision Highlights Omaha RiverFront Innovation – A Credit Deep Dive
Presented by Jennifer Ninete, HDR
Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

Zoom registration link: Envision Highlights Omaha Riverfront

The Riverfront Revitalization Project (known locally as The RiverFront) was Platinum Envision verified in October 2021. The first project in Nebraska to receive Envision recognition is transforming downtown Omaha along the Missouri River by connecting three parks near the city’s downtown core, including the Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, and Lewis and Clark Landing. This transformation includes numerous innovative elements that were highlighted in the project’s Envision submittal. The webinar will examine the project’s Quality of Life and Leadership innovation credits, in addition to providing some insight into the overall verification process.

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🆕  Federal Sustainable Infrastructure Initiatives
A presentation by Michael Connor, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

Zoom registration link: Michael Connor, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers presentation

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💻  Foundational Decade for Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure
*This course qualifies toward 2 prescribed hours of education toward ENV SP credential maintenance.
Wednesday, June 8, 2022, 2:00 – 4:00 pm ET

Zoom registration link: Foundational Decade for Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure

ISI’s 10-year history is built on a foundation of grassroots advocacy by people who are passionate about sustainable infrastructure. This course showcases the key influencers, along with the milestone projects that served as the platform for ISI’s growth and increasing Envision use across the U.S., Canada, and globally.  It also prepares ENV SPs for advocacy by strengthening their foundational knowledge of ISI and the Envision framework. Examples are presented to demonstrate success by ISI members, ENV SPs, and project teams throughout the past 10 years. These will inform future efforts and inspire expanded use of Envision.

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💻  The City of Fort Wayne’s Journey with Envision
Presented by: Pat Carney, City of Fort Wayne
Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

Zoom registration link: City of Fort Wayne’s Journey with Envision

This presentation will cover Fort Wayne’s implementation of Envision within the City Utilities Engineering Department and lessons learned. Beginning with engaging design, engineering and construction firms, the speaker will show how over 50 projects have used the Envision framework as part of the project process. Creation of custom internal guidance documents helped quantify the Envision credits, and these documents will be exemplified through practical use cases.

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💻  Socially Just and Equitable Infrastructure; COVID-19: Road to Recovery
*This course qualifies toward 2 prescribed hours of education toward ENV SP credential maintenance.
Wednesday, September 7, 2022, 2:00 – 4:00 pm ET

Zoom registration link: Socially Just and Equitable Infrastructure

Part one of this two-part webinar takes a look at how justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion intersect with the infrastructure industry. Their importance and relationship with each other are explored, while the process of how to achieve and measure equitable outcomes is provided.

Part two begins by comparing and contrasting how various infrastructure sectors were affected by the shock of COVID-19, prior to focusing on the emphasis of resilience, and its requirement to safeguard infrastructure assets from future “black sheep” events.

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💻  Envision, Taking a Systems Approach to Sustainable Infrastructure
Presented by: Mary Simmerer, California Department of Water Resources
Wednesday, October 5, 2022, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

Zoom registration link: Envision, Taking a Systems Approach

Infrastructure creates the groundwork for human activities and human communities. It undergirds the structure of the economy and ties into other systems, creating interlocking systems. When building new infrastructure, ignoring the system approach means the resulting infrastructure is less effective and less able to tie into other systems. The risk of system failure is, therefore, high.

Using the Envision rating tool helps identify critical system components and brings system solutions to system problems. This presentation highlights basic-system-theory principles and shows how using Envision works with basic-system principles to create healthier, more sustainable infrastructure.

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💻  Net Embodied Carbon
Presented by Michelle Christopherson, WSP; Frank Schwamborn and Rebecca Ramsdale, Verdical Group
Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET

Zoom registration link: Net Embodied Carbon

The presentation will define common carbon-related terms, explain how embodied carbon is measured and tracked, and discuss strategies for how to reduce your project’s embodied carbon.

The goal is to walk the audience through real-life hurdles to make significant embodied carbon emissions reductions. Experts will share rationale and common embodied carbon reduction strategies, and discuss the lessons learned from project experience to overcome challenges.

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PAST WEBINARS

Missed one or more of ISI’s webinars? Not to worry, recordings of past webinars are available through the “All Courses” library in your Envision account. 

Envision Implementation: Organization-wide Strategies; Best Practices for Using Envision on Projects and Across Portfolios
Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 2:00 – 4:00 pm ET
*This webinar qualifies toward 2 prescribed hours of education toward ENV SP credential maintenance.

An increasing number of public and private sector stakeholders are using Envision to plan, design, and deliver more sustainable infrastructure by setting standards, establishing policies, and pursuing verification.

Part 1 of this 2-part webinar demonstrates how Envision can be used to develop a holistic approach that extends beyond individual project success. Leaders from across all industry sectors offer detailed examples that illustrate ways Envision has bolstered their sustainable business practices. These examples are intended to inspire new approaches that can be strategically integrated into everyday operations. Part 2 further shows how Envision may be used as a tool to implement best practices and enhance designs beyond the success of individual projects.  The examples illustrated throughout this course are models for Envision that standardize implementation approaches across the project life cycle.

U.S. Federal Sustainability Plan: Goals and Strategy

Presented by Andrew Mayock, Federal Chief Sustainability Officer
Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

Nuts and Bolts for Local Government: Building Internal Support, Training Staff & Operationalizing Process

Presented by Carol Davis, Town of Blacksburg
Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

What does it take to integrate the Envision framework into the way your local government approaches infrastructure?

Carol Davis, the Sustainability Manager for the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia will share background on why her community came to embrace Envision, how key decision-makers and staff were engaged and trained, and how Blacksburg integrated Envision into critical process steps that intersect with the lifecycle of infrastructure projects, from early visioning to post-construction operations.

ENV SP Packet

15-December-2021

Are you thinking about becoming an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP), but aren’t sure exactly what is involved in earning the credential? The ENV SP packet may help.

Learn about the different Membership types, fees, and what is involved in training, the exam, and credential renewal, among other important considerations.  You can also download a pdf copy or view a copy on the  Marketing resources webpage.

CSCE & ISI Partner to Accelerate the use of Envision® in Canada

7-December-2021

A French message will follow / Un message en français suivra 

CSCE & ISI Partner to Accelerate the use of the Envision® Sustainable Infrastructure Framework in Canada

Washington, D.C., December  7, 2021 – Communities across Canada are looking for ways to improve the sustainability and resiliency of the built environment, address infrastructure deficits, spur economic recovery, and meet climate change commitments. Recognizing the importance of these crucial goals, the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) and the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) are pleased to announce their partnership to accelerate the use of the Envision® sustainable infrastructure framework more broadly in Canada.

View the entire announcement in English & French.

La Société canadienne de génie civil et l’ISI s’associent pour accélérer l’utilisation du cadre Envision® pour les infrastructures durables au Canada

Les collectivités de partout au Canada cherchent des moyens d’améliorer la durabilité et la résilience de l’environnement bâti, de combler les lacunes en matière d’infrastructure, de stimuler la reprise économique et de respecter les engagements en matière de lutte contre le changement climatique. Consciente de l’importance de ces objectifs cruciaux, la Société canadienne de génie civil (SCGC) et l’Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) sont heureux d’annoncer leur partenariat visant à accélérer l’utilisation du cadre Envision® pour les infrastructures durables à plus grande échelle au Canada.

View the entire announcement in English and French.