I just looked at the latest report from the University of Housing, the NAHB group that heads up our association's extensive educational initiatives.

The update: There are now nearly 4,000 Certified Green Professionals.  What wonderful news for all of us!

When combined with the cautiously optimistic analysis of our economists and the federal government,  this growth indicates what we have been saying all along: As our industry begins its recovery, it will be an increasingly green one. 

Our members have been preparing for the rebound by focusing on the future, and that future is certainly green.

In this issue of of the NAHB Green Building Program Update, you'll see other examples of this great green growth: The NAHB Research Center, which administers the National Green Building Certification Program as part of NAHBGreen, reports that more than 300 projects have been certified so far under either the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines or the National Green Building Standard.

In addition, 105 state and local home building associations have chosen to affiliate with NAHBGreen -- making sure our members -- and their customers -- have the education and resources they need to build and remodel green.

The CGP growth is a significant factor in two new initiatives from your association. 

Right now, the University of Housing is revising the 2006 Green Building for Building Professionals course to incorporate information on the National Green Building Standard.

In addition, NAHB is working on two new advanced green building courses geared specifically toward builders and remodelers.  Upon completion, both courses will become the curriculum for a Master Green Builder Remodeler (MGBR) designation. Let me tell you more about them:

Green Project Management. This two-day course will help builders and remodelers successfully integrate green building practices and techniques into the management of a project by focusing on the whole-house approach to building. The course will also discuss how to navigate and incorporate the NAHBGreen verification and certification process in the project. Dallas builder Cathy Williams is leading the group working on this new course.

Green Building Science. This two-day course will instruct builders and remodelers on proper building science techniques for constructing a high-performance residence — a home that is built to be more energy efficient and also more durable, comfortable, healthy and environmentally responsible. Peter Yost, the residential program manager for BuildingGreen.com, is leading the consulting team working on this initiative.

The new courses are expected to be piloted in the coming months. To find out more, send an email to Chad Riedy at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8225.

Thanks for all you do to support NAHB's initiatives and help us move this great industry forward.

Bob Jones