HENDERSON, Nev. (Sept. 19, 2023) – The City of Henderson is proud to announce it has been awarded Gold Certification in the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system, an international symbol of excellence recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED for Cities and Communities helps local leaders measure and manage progress in community conditions, in pursuit of a more sustainable, resilient and equitable future. Through the certification program, cities and communities create and operationalize responsible, sustainable and specific plans for natural systems, energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors that contribute to quality of life.
The City of Henderson excelled in the LEED rating categories of Quality of Life, Natural Systems and Ecology, Innovation, Regional Priority, Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Highlights include:
• Premier quality of life measures such as excellence in education, equitability, prosperity, health and safety.
• An impressive 73% of homes within a 10-minute walk of a park or trail; and an overall greater amount of open space per capita.
• Excellence in innovation including partnership with schools; healthy food access through the implementation of hydroponic gardening systems, City-run farmers markets, and nutritional programs for seniors; the Pittman Wash green infrastructure project; COVID-19 response; Bird Viewing Preserve and Historic Downtown Revitalization projects.
• Regional leadership including applying and managing the $3.5 million Southern Nevada Strong regional planning effort, securing the $39 million catalytic high capacity transit project on Boulder Highway, securing Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) competitive funding in order to build award winning parks and recreation facilities as well as notable regional climate action initiatives.
• Lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per capita as it relates to development.
“This is a true testament to our ability to ensure sustainable growth, integrate strategic conservation efforts and safeguard vital resources in order to maintain the premier quality of life our residents enjoy both now and for future generations,” said City Manager/CEO Richard Derrick.
Henderson joins a global network of more than 130 local governments certified.
“Henderson’s LEED for Cities certification demonstrates tremendous leadership in sustainability and resilience,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC. “LEED for Cities helps local government credibly track progress toward overall sustainability objectives and ensure transparency and accountability to its residents. Henderson is a prime example of how the innovative work of project teams can create local solutions that contribute to making a global difference.”
LEED for Cities provides a road map to help jurisdictions evaluate and track progress on economic, environmental and social conditions. Certification helps local governments achieve meaningful results such as attracting new economic activity, reaching global climate goals, improving air and water quality, and enhancing quality of life for all.
