Issue Areas

Environmental Issues: Sustainable Communities

LEED for Neighborhood Development NRDC's Citizen's Guide to LEED for Neighborhood Development helps you know when it's green Overview: A Citizen's Guide to LEED for Neighborhood Development is a hands-on introduction that NRDC developed for local environmental groups, smart growth organizations, neighborhood residents and just about anyone interested in making our communities better and greener.

NRDC's Green Chicago Office
Photo Album: Sustainable design successfully links NRDC's Midwest office to the natural and urban environments, bolstering a sense of environmental stewardship between colleagues, and between the organization and its members, activists and donors.
Seven Tips for Creating Eco-Fabulous Interiors
Guide: These green design tips will help you turn any space into a fabulous, eco-friendly room.
China's Greenest Building A showcase for energy efficiency and sustainable design breaks new ground in the heart of Beijing. Photo Album: A showcase for energy efficiency and sustainable design breaks new ground in the heart of Beijing.

For additional policy documents, see the NRDC Document Bank.

Kaid Benfield writes about development, community and the environment on Switchboard.

Is it time for "smarter smart growth"?: posted by Kaid Benfield, 5/1/13
The case for building on a city's historic assets: posted by Kaid Benfield, 4/29/13
An amazing, entertaining vision for greening Rio's working port: posted by Kaid Benfield, 4/26/13

: Charity Navigator awards NRDC its 4-star top rating.
: Worth magazine named NRDC one of America's 100 best charities.
: NRDC meets the highest standards of the Wise Giving Alliance of the Better Business Bureau.