The Sustainable Sites Initiative is a voluntary rating system, like LEED, used to align land development and management with innovative sustainable design. SITES certification can be achieved by public parks, infrastructure, and even by the landscape surrounding a LEED building. SITES was developed to protect and restore “ecosystem services,” such as flood mitigation, air purification, carbon storage, and climate regulation. These benefits are provided free of charge by healthy ecosystems, but are incredibly expensive to replicate through engineering and mechanical solutions. SITES is the culmination of years of research and development by leading professionals in the fields of soil, water, vegetation, materials and human health.
Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), SITES offers a comprehensive rating system designed to distinguish sustainable landscapes, measure their performance and elevate their value. SITES certification is for development projects located on sites with or without buildings—ranging from national parks to corporate campuses, streetscapes to homes, and more.
WATERSHED offers both an introduction and training in the Sustainable Sites Initiative and consulting services to support certification. If you are interested in seeing how your upcoming project may achieve a SITES® certification, contact us to discuss how we can help you align land development and management with innovative sustainable design.
