As we move deeper into Spring, it seems a good time to reflect on what we have accomplished as a community.
We recently concluded our first matching campaign, and for those who participated, we’re so very grateful! We raised almost $30,000 to invest in our programs and people and showed what can be done if we all work together to sustain and further this important science. This just illustrates that the Building Biology Institute is less a school of learning, and more an idea and ideal we have all agreed to nurture together. And together, we can do great things.
For many years, our science has focused on the assessment and mitigation of environmental toxins within the already-built environment. Several years ago, our senior instructors Paula Baker-Laporte and Stephen Collette realized the need to educate builders, architects, and others on how to create health-sustaining homes from initial conception to the final build. And so, our Building Biology New-build Consultant (BBNC) certification was born. That essential foundation has more recently led to the creation of our new Building Biology Interior Design (BBID) certification. This reflects our continued recognition that an integrated approach to health, materials, and home is vital, and that these things are inextricably linked.
At the same time, our community continues to expand and evolve. We were all very happy to have had eight builders attend our last Building Physics/Building Biology seminar last month. As we continue to reach into the professional trades communities (builders, electricians, etc.), we are building a holistic ecosystem. After all, healthy buildings are not a niche concern, but of vital importance to us all.
There is still a great deal to be done. Healthier building practices are far from the norm, and meaningful change takes time. But there are signs of progress—subtle in some cases, more visible in others—that suggest a steady shift is underway.
Thank you for being part of this community, and for the role you play in helping this work take shape.
Thank you!