Green Sustainability

Exploring Your Small Farm Dream
If you have thought seriously about turning a profit off a few acres or you already have a small agricultural operation and would like to change strategies, then Exploring Your Small Farm Dream can help. This course, offered in partnership between Delaware Valley College and Penn State Extension, is designed to help guide beginning farmers through the initial exploratory decision making process and bridge the gap between ideas and action.

Whether your vision includes making goat cheese, selling cut flowers or growing rare tomato varieties, this course will give you the tools to start making that dream come true. Participants will discuss current opportunities in small-scale agriculture, explore objectives, assess personal and financial resources, conduct preliminary market research, and develop an action plan for pursuing their interests in food and farming.

This interactive course will include creative exercises, research, and class discussions that will allow you to accurately assess your skills and resources. Interviews with local agricultural business owners will also be included to give you firsthand knowledge on what to expect when starting your business.

For information about course availability in your area, please refer to the course website: www.pasmallfarmdream.info

Wednesdays
6:30pm-9:30pm
April 11, 18, 25 and May 2
Course Number: PRD750
Section: 001
(Course held at Delaware Valley’s Main Campus)
TUITION: $149 includes workbook & refreshments

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Your Role in the Green Environment and Prep for Green Advantage Exam
This course is designed for craft-level workers, office personnel or to anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts of green building. It provides fundamental instruction about the environment, green construction practices and the green building rating systems. You will learn about the environmental impact of the built environment and will identify ways in which construction professionals can mitigate this impact responsibly and effectively. This course meets the education requirements for the ABC Green Contractor certification as well as LEED continuing education. The course will also prepare you for taking the Green Advantage exam, offered separately a week following the conclusion of the class. Green Advantage is recognized throughout the building industry as the green builder credential for construction personnel.

Benefits to participants:

• Learn about the LEED rating system

• Study guide for Green Advantage Exam included

• Successful completers are awarded an NCCER certification

• A must for craft professionals performing green build projects

This course is approved for 15 hours of continuing education under the Green Building Certification Institute’s (GBCI) Credentialing Maintenance Program.

Please note: You must register separately through Green Advantage for the exam. Arrangements will be made for a proctor and a paper test one week after the class ends, but the registration must go through GA and the fee of $150 must be paid directly to them. The exam scheduled for Wednesday, October 19th.

Instructor: Vince Console, GA & NCCER Green Certified Instructor

Course held at ABC Training Center, 1500 Gehman Road, Harleysville, PA 19438

Mondays and Wednesday
4:00pm-7:00pm
February 13, 15 and 20
Course Number: PRD615
Section: 001
Tuition: $350

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Fundamentals of Sustainability
The first half of this one-night course is designed to enhance your sustainability knowledge so you can better navigate your way through the green marketplace. You will be presented with the process by which American society is becoming green and how business and industry are taking this “new” old concept and are changing the way they operate and market their businesses. You will review best practices for determining how green a product is, and you’ll explore how green has integrated itself into and has been embraced by large segments of industry such as building design and construction.

The second half of the course will assist individuals who want to become familiar with Green Building Rating Systems and LEED®, and are seeking foundational knowledge to benefit their roles in the building design and construction industry. It will provide the attendee the ability to understand the green building movement and the application of sustainability in the marketplace, understand and enforce the core concepts and construction principles behind sustainable buildings, integrate green practices and strategies into construction processes and become knowledgeable enough about the LEED® rating system to apply it to his or her particular field of endeavor. Attendees leave with a general knowledge of several industry rating systems, with a broader focus on the LEED® rating system, its standards and requirements.

Course held at Associated Builders and Contractors, 430 West Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA 19403

Thursday
5:00pm-9:00pm
March 1
Course Number: PRD630
Section: 001
Tuition: $100

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Constructed Wetlands: Introduction to Habitat Restoration and Waste Water Treatment.
This course is designed for landscape architects, landscapers, municipalities, developers and those who are considering an alternative to standard waste water/storm water treatment.

Topics covered will comprise an overview of basins and constructed wetlands that are man-made and are used to restore both habitat and migratory wildlife in areas that have been disturbed by development. In addition, we will consider constructed wetlands that currently rely on physical and chemical processes to treat storm water, wastewater and sewage treatment and how planting materials and alternate construction methods could be used in conjunction with wetlands’ natural abilities as biofilters to remove pollutants and allow treated water to be returned to the ground.

Course held at ABC Training Center, 1500 Gehman Road, Harleysville, PA 19438

Wednesday
6:30pm-9:30pm
February 29
Course Number: PRD640
Section: 001
Tuition: $49

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Introduction to Wind Energy
This course is designed for all trades and for those individuals who have a general interest in wind turbines and why they might want to install one as an alternative energy source. Wind power, as an alternative to fossil fuel energy, represents one of the best opportunities to generate power using a renewable resource. Topics covered will be the benefits and disadvantages of wind, as well as wind farms and how they are making an impact on the local utilities and surroundings. In addition we will ask, and then try to answer, the question “Will wind work for me, and why should I choose wind?”

Course held at Delaware Valley College’s Main Campus, 700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown, PA 18901

Tuesday
6:30pm-9:30pm
February 28
Course Number: PRD645
Section: 001
Tuition: $49

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Sustainable Landscape Certification
This course will address landscape, hardscape and rainwater capturing for those who have a background in landscaping. The purpose of this course is to inform the professional landscape community about what is required to successfully build and install Sustainable/LEED projects that are currently becoming and will continue to be a major part of contracting opportunities as opposed to more traditional practices. Topics included are the following:

• Planting materials required to meet the project scope, including xeriscaping and water-conservative foliage, including vegetation necessary for passive solar results in a building.

• Water conservation through sustainable irrigation methods, including rainwater capture.

• Pervious materials, such as pavers, stone and concrete. Discussions will also include proper selection of materials to reduce the heat island effect on the building and surroundings.

• Nutrition, pest control and organic materials accepted for use in a Sustainable/LEED project.

Pre-requisite class required: Fundamentals of Sustainability or Your Role in the Green Environment and Prep for Green Advantage Certification.

Course held at Delaware Valley College’s Main Campus, 700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown, PA 18901

5 Thursdays
6:30pm-9:30pm
February 9-March 8
Course Number: PRD635
Section: 001
Tuition: $400

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Introduction to The Green Roof
This 3-hour course introduces background information, benefits and basic construction techniques to anyone considering a green roof as an alternative to traditional roofing materials. Green roof vegetation creates a habitat for animals and plants in urban surroundings and mitigates heat island effects. Additional benefits include reduction of stormwater runoff, increased usable space and subsequent utility reductions for the building owner. Other topics to be covered: how a green roof meets the requirements of sustainable projects by addressing storm water design; site development; recycled content; material reuse and water-efficient landscaping techniques.

Course held at Delaware Valley College’s Main Campus, 700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown, PA 18901

Thursday
6:30pm-9:30pm
March 1
Course Number: PRD620
Section: 001
Tuition: $49

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Green Building for Municipalities, Code Officials and Building Inspectors
Green building methodologies are well on their way to becoming the standard for new construction and the rehabilitation of buildings and homes. States and Municipalities as well as both public and private entities are reaping the benefits of going green. Green Saves Safely™ will prepare code officials, building inspectors, elected officials, planners and design and construction professionals to recognize and understand green building elements and systems. The seminar begins by defining green building, introducing key principles and exploring building components such as Site, Resource Efficiency, Energy and Renewables, Water Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality. Attendees will be introduced to the most current and leading edge construction products and techniques.

In the second half of Green Saves Safely™, participants learn about the next generation of green buildings, including Living Buildings, Passive Homes, Carbon and Water Neutral Buildings and Passive Survivability. The “Integrating Green into the Regulatory Process” section addresses green building as it relates to the I-Codes, the NEC, NFC and NSPC. Course instructors will demonstrate how code and code officials play a role in tackling the most challenging environmental and national security issues. The day concludes with an overview of existing national green building and energy programs (LEED, Energy Star, Enterprise, GBI, etc.) and emerging green codes and standards (IGCC, NAHB ANSI 700, ASHRAE 189.1); individual and employee certifications (Green Advantage, BPI, RESNET, NARI, etc.); and finally Federal Policies and incentives for energy and green initiatives.

We will also address legal green building issues in the municipal government context, given the governing statutes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and the Uniform Construction Code. A portion of the focus will include how and what local governments are authorized to regulate in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Included in the discussion are examples of ordinances and regulatory regimes that are on the books today. In addition we will report on recent or pending legislation (if any), as well as recent government actions related to green building issues.

Presenter: Darren Port, State of New Jersey-Department of Community Affairs

Both classes held at Associated Builders and Contractors, 430 West Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA 19403

Thursday
8:30am-12:30pm
March 1
Course Number: PRD625
Section: 001
Tuition: $300

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Introduction to Solar PV Installation with NABCEP Entry Level Exam
Delaware Valley College, in partnership with Associated Builders and Contractors, brings Solar training to DelVal. This course covers fundamentals in the design, installation and assessment of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for use in residential and commercial applications, including a hands-on installation experience. The course examines industry standard tools and techniques used in the installation of photovoltaic systems, including PV panels, inverters and system components needed to make a complete installation. Attendees must be familiar with electrical codes. Participants will be introduced to system design, sizing and the requirements for proper installation of a system. All aspects of this course, including mechanical and electrical integration, are taught in accordance with all applicable National Electrical Codes. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Entry Level Exam will be administered at the conclusion of the class. Class size is limited.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of either Fundamentals of Sustainability or Your Role in the Green Environment and Prep For Green Advantage Certification.

Instructor: Kairi Purnell, People Tech, Inc.

Text: Photovoltaic Systems by Jim Dunlap (included)

Course held at ABC Training Center, 1500Gehman Road, Harleysville, PA 19438

Mondays and Wednesdays
4:00pm-7:00pm
February 13-March 28
Course Number: PRD610
Section: 001
Tuition: $1950

Register Now!