Hampton Roads Solar Tour - Saturday Oct. 4th

Part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Tour, the Hampton Roads Solar Group is sponsoring a FREE local tour Saturday, October 4, 2014. Homes and businesses featuring a plethora of sustainable technologies and designs will be open around the region including an active/passive solar house in the only "solar community" in the region: Poquoson's Atriums (pictured left). Info and Registration at HRSolarTour.com.

Brooklyn Grange, Rooftop Farm in New York City

Ecological infrastructure provides many environmental and societal benefits. Read about the innovative ways it is being incorporated into the built environment in the Summer 2014 Features section.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach

Currently under construction and designed for "Living Building Challenge" certification, the bar for efficient and sustainable use of resources is set incredibly high. Not only are local and eco friendly products and practices required during construction, project owners must provide data over the course of a year showing that there is a net zero operational impact. Rooftop solar PV panels and 2 wind turbines will power to the 9,000 sq. ft. structure. Rainwater will be harvested for non potable purposes and grey water treated naturally on site. More on Green Building.

DIY Solar Vintner Tour - Virginia - TidewaterCurrent.com

Will the Green Reality of Hemp Tempt Domestic Production? - TidewaterCurrent.com.

Hemp is a nontoxic, renewable and biodegradable material. One of the largest potential growth sectors for the product is the construction industry. Goods including, fire and termite resistant, mold and mildew free panels, shingles, bricks, insulation, and a poured lightweight masonry material called hempcrete are being incorporated into upscale green homes.

Extreme Green Design Edging into the Mainstream - TidewaterCurrent.com.

The Pacific Northwest is not the only green building corridor in the Nation. Within the Mid Atlantic and particularly the Chesapeake Bay region, the green construction movement is exploding. Pictured is a LEED Platinum Virginia Beach home designed by Watershed Architects.

Educational Endeavors Promote Eco Friendly Building - TidewaterCurrent.com.

Government support has certainly helped diffuse sustainable building principles, but credit must also be given to educational programs, particularly those that support environmental stewardship. Around the Bay Watershed, there are a number of non profits and learning institutions that are pioneering new territory in the field of green design.