The LSU School of Architecture is pleased to announce it is hosting a workshop on designing and building environmentally friendly, or “green,” schools in Louisiana. The workshop will be held Saturday February 28 from 9AM-4 PM in the Design Commons of the College of Art and Design on the LSU Campus.

The workshop is the first of its kind and is sponsored by the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund through Global Green, an international foundation that is dedicated to stemming global climate change by creating green buildings and cities. Global Green has been active in the post-Katrina rebuilding of New Orleans, including Wilson Elementary, the state’s first LEED-certified school. The workshop will focus on sustainable design in the school system because of the impact that green building has on improving education.

“Building green schools reduces negative impacts on our environment, while creating productive and healthy learning environments, improving student learning and increasing teacher retention,” says Marsha Cuddeback, a professor in the LSU School of Architecture and conference organizer.

Workshop speakers include experts from the U.S. Green Building Council, as well as representatives from private industry, the federal government, the LSU School of Architecture and the state legislature.

“We’re very excited about helping foster a dialog on this very important topic,” Cuddeback says. “Environmental stewardship is no longer a choice.”

The workshop will be followed by a wine and cheese reception. It is free and open to the public. To register for the event or for more information go to www.globalgreen.org/events/48.