My Living Building Acceptance Speech

...Not that you asked

Because there are so many wonderful people and projects to celebrate, no one was able to share any thanks or wisdom at the big bang dinner- but in case you were wondering, here's mine :)

In 2010, I suggested to Mark Biedron, co founder of The Willow School, that he could use my help in creating his vision, a building that would act like a tree.

For the next four years, I served as consultant, coordinator, educator, construction manager, and site police woman to guide the Health, Wellness, and Nutrition Center towards its goal of Living Building Challenge certification.

In 2013, Paul Hawken spoke at Living Future and said, "Are these (climate change) things happening to us, or for us? If to us, we are victims. If for us, they are a catalyst for change". I believe this project is another enzyme in the series of catalyzing events that spurs us forward.

I believe my hill to climb has gotten just a little bit lower, and will continue to wear down thanks to the incredible work of my colleagues on this project and across the industry.

My hope is that when I've come to the end of my work, the hill will be gone, and a clear path forward will be available to the next generation; that my 'more difficult' way will just be THE way- and we will have found a more positive future.

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