Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was recognized yesterday by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) for his commitment to environmental leadership and stewardship. The Olmsted Medal honors those with a commitment to safeguarding our natural heritage, embodying ASLA's commitment to stewardship of the land and quality of life.
"ASLA and USGBC stand shoulder to shoulder in making sure the sustainable buildings and communities that we are advancing add quality to our lives, connect us to nature and to each other," said Fedrizzi in a press release. "It is an honor to be recognized by such a prestigious organization, and amongst so many visionary leaders in the sustainability movement."
"Rick Fedrizzi's leadership and innovation has almost single-handedly transformed the design and construction industry," said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, in the release. "Through the founding of USGBC, development of the LEED Rating System and support of the Sustainable Sites Initiative, he truly lives up to the landscape architects' mission of achieving a balance between the built and natural environments."
Fedrizzi has been a vocal supporter of the Sustainable Sites Initiative™, a partnership of ASLA, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the U.S. Botanic Garden to create the first national rating system for sustainable landscapes.
Fedrizzi, who was USGBC's founding chair, was appointed president and CEO in 2004 following a 25-year career as a Fortune 500 executive. Under his leadership, USGBC has tripled its membership, broadened its influence and cemented its role as a leadership voice in the global sustainability movement through efforts such as its LEED green building program, the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo and the LEED Professional Credential program. He was recently named chair of the World Green Building Council.
The Olmsted Medal honors Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the founder of the American landscape architecture profession and steward of the environment. Honorees are selected by ASLA's Board of Trustees, and were recognized at an awards ceremony at the ASLA Annual Meeting & Expo in San Diego, Calif.
For more information, see our Green Landscaping/Sustainable Landscape Design research center.
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