Historic Green serves to transform and revitalize communities through education and charitable activities that integrate sustainable design and heritage conservation practices. Now in its third year, the Historic Green event “Spring Greening” continues to focus on sustainability and preservation techniques to combine the concepts of green design construction and historic restoration. An idea that is not often discussed in green design forums, sustainable preservation is the focus the Historic Green initiative as it helps green the existing built and natural spaces of the historic Holy Cross neighborhood.

During the previous “Spring Greening” events in March 2008 & 2009, Historic Green directed more than 500 volunteers during a two week period, positively affecting 150 homes and businesses while contributing more than $250,000 worth of volunteer labor to 12 various projects.

2010 SPRING GREENING:
March 9-19, 2010
Holy Cross Neighborhood, The Lower 9th Ward

HISTORIC GREEN SPRING GREENING PROJECTS 2010:
· Construct a new LEED® Platinum facility to house the new offices of The Center for Sustainable Engagement & Development (CSED)
· Partner with Lower Ninth homeowners to green their properties: weatherization, radiant barriers, widespread installation of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
· Continue renovations at the Lower 9th Ward Village
· Design and install demonstration rain gardens throughout the Lower Ninth Ward
· Restore a tupelo cypress ecosystem at Bayou Bienvenue and “green up” public spaces around the Bayou
· Continue improvement efforts at the Delery Street Playground – the only working playground in Holy Cross
· Conduct educational workshops throughout the 11 day period to train residents and volunteers the tenets of sustainable preservation
· Provide Holy Cross neighborhood/Lower Ninth architectural tours for volunteers

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