Renaissance Academy, an Environmentally Sustainable School
The City of Virginia Beach is committed to promoting an ecologically friendly environment and community. From tourism to green living, Virginia Beach has developed a reputation as a national leader in the green movement. The City and the School System have successfully partnered with local businesses to earn countless green distinctions, including:
- The Virginia Beach Convention Center became the first Convention Center in the country and the largest building in Virginia to achieve the LEED Gold Certification for existing buildings.
- "One of the Ten Greenest Places to Retire," US News
- The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau became the first Platinum member of the International Green Meeting Industry Council.
- Silver Certification from Virginia's Go Green Award
- LEED Certifications completed on two Virginia Beach Schools, including the first LEED Certified building in the MSA.
- The Opening of Renaissance Academy (pictured above), an environmentally sustainable school which harvests rainwater for toilet flushing, houses solar panels to heat water, and is fully equipped with green lighting.
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools took top honors for Best Green Organization and Best Green Institutional Project during the Virginia Sustainable Building Network's 15th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Meeting during June 2010, in Richmond, VA.
- The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center was the first state attraction certified as Virginia Green by the Virginia Tourism Corp, hosts two public e-cycling events yearly, and partners with the Monterey Bay Aquarium as well as regional experts in establishing and supporting sustainable seafood programs with restaurants and vendors.
- The Agricultural Reserve Program is a dedicated funding source to preserve agricultural land and the rural setting of the City, the program to date has preserved nearly 9,000 acres of land.
- Open Space Acquisition Program has preserved more than 1,800 acres valued at more than $40 million.
- A Real Estate Tax Reduction for Green building initiatives was adopted in 2011.
Visit www.gogreenhamptonroads.com for even more information on our region's Green Initiatives.
Last updated: Oct 2011