Surry Business

David Johnston, an expert on environmentally responsible construction projects, will present an all-day Green Advantage® workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Mount Airy Elks Lodge off U.S. 52.

Johnston is an author and president of What’s Working Inc., a Boulder, Colo.-based sustainable building consultancy. (See more about Johnston below).

The seminar will cover improving indoor air quality, resource conservation and efficient building techniques.

The $45 price covers the seminar, refreshments and a full buffet lunch. Space is limited and will be filled on a first come-first served basis. You can make reservations by contacting Greg Smith of Surry Community College in Dobson at smithg@surry.edu or by calling (336) 386-3398. Seminar participants will be eligible for continuing education credits from Surry Community College.

This seminar is sponsored by “Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska,” NCFI Polyurethanes, Ace Hardware/Riverside Building Supply, United Plastics, Brite Engineering and Surry Community College.

About David Johnston:

David Johnston established the first private-sector sustainable building program in Denver through the local Home Builders’ Association, which evolved into the largest program of its kind in the private sector. His company was part of the team that launched the LEED certification program for the U.S. Green Building Council.

Johnston designed the Denver Metro Home Builders Association’s Built Green Program and the Boulder Green Points Program, which encourages the use of cost-effective and sustainable building practices. Johnston is also the founding designer and consultant to the Alameda County Waste Management Authority’s program that stimulated market transformation programs throughout California and is at work to implement similar programs nationwide.

Johnston has represented the United States at International Energy Efficiency meetings to develop international research agreements in the area of sustainable construction. Johnston was named “Builder of the Year” by the Washington, D.C. chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and has been inducted into the Remodeling Magazine Hall of Fame.

He received the 2007 International Sustainability Pioneer Award presented at the International Sustainable Leadership Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. He is contributing editor of “Natural Home” magazine and author of “Green Remodeling, Changing the World One Room at a Time” and “Building Green in a Black and White World.” (The books will be available for purchase at the event.)