Establish biodiversity practices

Rationale: Implementing and publicizing measures to preserve local ecosystems prevents biodiversity loss, which supports exposure to diverse microbiota which strengthens the human immune system; these measures also improve surrounding air quality, contributing to a decreased risk of chronic respiratory conditions. 

Requirements

Demonstrate compliance with one of the options below:

Option 1 - Two Biodiversity Practices (Full Credit):

To achieve full credit, demonstrate compliance with all of the following requirements:

Multi-Tenant Base Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Base Building (with on-site management)

1. Ensure biodiversity practices include a minimum of two of the following qualifying practices:

• utilize and preserve native plants within landscaping and outdoor spaces
• establish a long-term management plan to remove invasive non-native plants without harming native non-target species
• replace greenery lost during construction or renovation
• retain and enhance existing natural features
• manage stormwater runoff to prevent pollution from causing detrimental environmental effects such as toxic algal blooms, harming aquatic life, and degradation of air and water quality
• provide wildlife housing, such as bee blocks, bird feeders, insect hotels, or bat boxes.

2. Implement the qualifying biodiversity practice within the building site.

3. Ensure signage is provided in a minimum of one outdoor space within the building site that includes educational information on a minimum of two of the following:

• information about native plant and wildlife species
• the health benefits of biodiversity conservation
• examples of biodiversity conservation practices
• the biodiversity conservation practices that are implemented.

Single-Tenant, Commercial Interior

1. Ensure biodiversity practices include a minimum of two of the following qualifying practices:

• utilize and preserve native plants within landscaping and outdoor spaces
• establish a long-term management plan to remove invasive non-native plants without harming native non-target species
• replace greenery lost during construction or renovation
• retain and enhance existing natural features
• manage stormwater runoff to prevent pollution from causing detrimental environmental effects such as toxic algal blooms, harming aquatic life, and degradation of air and water quality
• provide wildlife housing, such as bee blocks, bird feeders, insect hotels, or bat boxes.

2. Implement the qualifying biodiversity practice within the building site.

3. Ensure signage is provided in a minimum of one outdoor space within the building site that includes educational information on a minimum of two of the following:

• information about native plant and wildlife species
• the health benefits of biodiversity conservation
• examples of biodiversity conservation practices
• the biodiversity conservation practices that are implemented.

Option 2 - One Biodiversity Practice (Partial Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

Multi-Tenant Base Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Base Building (with on-site management)

1. Ensure biodiversity practices include a minimum of one of the following qualifying practices:

• utilize and preserve native plants within landscaping and outdoor spaces
• establish a long-term management plan to remove invasive non-native plants without harming native species
• replace greenery lost during construction or renovation
• retain and enhance existing natural features
• manage stormwater runoff to prevent pollution from destroying wildlife
• provide wildlife housing, such as bee blocks, bird feeders, insect hotels, or bat boxes.

2. Ensure signage is provided in a minimum of one outdoor space within the building site that includes educational information on a minimum of two of the following:

• information about native plant and wildlife species
• the health benefits of biodiversity conservation
• examples of biodiversity conservation practices
• the biodiversity conservation practices that are implemented.

Single-Tenant, Commercial Interior

1. Ensure biodiversity practices include a minimum of one of the following qualifying practices:

• utilize and preserve native plants within landscaping and outdoor spaces
• establish a long-term management plan to remove invasive non-native plants without harming native species
• replace greenery lost during construction or renovation
• retain and enhance existing natural features
• manage stormwater runoff to prevent pollution from destroying wildlife
• provide wildlife housing, such as bee blocks, bird feeders, insect hotels, or bat boxes.

2. Ensure signage is provided in a minimum of one outdoor space within the building site that includes educational information on a minimum of two of the following:

• information about native plant and wildlife species
• the health benefits of biodiversity conservation
• examples of biodiversity conservation practices
• the biodiversity conservation practices that are implemented.

Compliance Documentation

Types of compliance documentation required:

• Annotated plans
• Annotated design drawings
• Annotated photographs