August 18, 2011, the Skanner Newspaper published an article, "June Key Delta Community Center -- an Oregon Living Building Challenge Winner?" This article describes this amazing building; community-owned (Portland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.), built by a minority-owned general contractor(Colas Construction), achieving outstanding levels of participation by minority/women-owned businesses (as well as Verde Landscape and Verde Nursery). Immediately, it is the most sustainable building in Portland – it performs environmentally, it performs economically, it performs equitably. This model of sustainability is where we are headed, where communities drive environmental resources into their neighborhoods in order to meet known community needs. Check out the article, including great words from the Center for Diversity & The Environment's Marcelo Bonta...

August 23, 2011, the Daily Journal of Commerce published an article, "Portland Public Schools tackles stormwater management, energy efficiency." Verde Landscape has installed and maintained PPS stormwater management facilities since 2008, so Verde Landscape Program Manager Ricardo Moreno was asked to share information about our work and the unique maintenance needs of stormwater management facilities. Check out the article, including some serious swale knowledge from Ricardo. Thanks to PPS's Nancy Bond for sending the DJC reporter our way...