Prairiewoods will be celebrating its LEED certification for an existing building later this week. Here is more from Prairiewoods on its achievement:

AmeriCorps members Erika Barber (left) and Margaret Christian work to clear invasive species from the Prairiewoods woodland, Thursday January 27, 2011in Hiawatha. The duo are members of the AmeriCorps new Energy Corps in Iowa aimed at helping Iowans reduce energy costs. (Becky Malewitz/SourceMedia Group News)

HIAWATHA — Prairiewoods announced today that it has been awarded LEED® Gold certification for existing buildings, making it the first nonprofit in Iowa with that honor. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings and was established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

You are invited to attend a plaque presentation ceremony on Friday, December 14, at 2:30 p.m. at Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha). Prairiewoods staff, Board members, area environmental leaders (including Senator Rob Hogg and I-Renew’s Kimberly Dickey) and a USGBC representative will be on hand and available for interviews.

“We are proud to earn the LEED Gold Certification. This is a testament to the commitment and respect for the environment that the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration had when they built Prairiewoods in 1996. We look forward to educating and engaging families, schools, churches and businesses in our community on green practices they too can implement,” said Prairiewoods Director Laurie Harris. “Our eco-friendly practices not only protect God’s creation and provide utility cost savings, but also contribute to a healthy and comfortable space for our staff and guests.”

While many newly constructed buildings are LEED certified, achieving certification for an existing building is much less common. Only seven existing buildings in Iowa are LEED certified. Of these, only one other existing structure has received Gold, and Prairiewoods is the only nonprofit to do so.

Prairiewoods achieved LEED certification for energy efficiency; use of renewable energy; and green practices for lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

“Building operations are nearly 40% of the solution to the global climate change challenge,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “While climate change is a global problem, innovative organizations like Prairiewoods are addressing it through local solutions.”

LEED certification of Prairiewoods was based on a number of green policies and practices established over Prairiewoods’ 16-year history. These features include:

• solar panels that generate 24,600 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of energy each year, which is 50% of the energy used in the main building at Prairiewoods
• 100% of light bulbs, 48% of food, 73% of cleaning materials and 100% of ongoing consumables that meet USGBC criteria for green products
• an Energy Star rating of 91 for energy efficiency