As part of the National Basketball Association's Green Week, April 1-9, NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver and representatives from the U.S. Green Building Council and the Natural Resources Defense Council will be in Portland on Friday to help us commemorate the LEED Gold certification of Portland's Rose Garden.
This accomplishment represents the highest green building certification of any major league venue in American professional sports, an accomplishment hailed as a "milestone in the greening of sports" by the NRDC.
Portland, of course, is a city very familiar with green milestones , as the city boasts more green buildings per capita than any other city in America. Our achievement is both a product and a reflection of the environmental leadership in our community.
About 30 percent of our fans arrive to games by bike, bus or light rail. For those who drive, we've installed electric vehicle charging stations. More Portlanders drive hybrids, per capita, than in any other American city. Protecting our environment is part of what defines our region.
The Trail Blazers are proud to play a role in Portland's drive to be the greenest city in the country. We are hopeful that our actions and our example can influence fans to create new habits. Many of our greening initiatives - adding recycling bins, composting, improved bike amenities - are really about making it easier for fans to reduce their environmental footprint while enjoying games and events. We believe we can partner with Portlanders to take meaningful steps to address climate change and foster a healthier, more vibrant community.
We're part of a growing movement in the NBA to use the power of sports as a force for awareness and behavior change. The Rose Garden is the third NBA venue to achieve LEED certification, joining Atlanta's Philips Arena and Miami's AmericanAirlines Arena. No other major league can make that claim.
Meanwhile, throughout the league, the NBA and its teams are directing time and talent toward making a positive impact in their communities. NBA Green Week helps highlight these initiatives, programs that put our players to work as green ambassadors across the country.
A pillar of our outreach is sending our players into our community to serve as positive role models and encouraging others to make a difference - in school, at home in their community and, ultimately, in the world. Last week, Trail Blazers Brandon Roy and Dante Cunningham worked with fifth graders from Gilbert Heights Elementary to plant a community garden. Our players engaged students about community gardening , and had fun doing it. They, too, learned a lesson along the way.
The Trail Blazers are excited about our ability to impact green awareness, and recognize that ongoing improvements -- and partnerships with organizations like the NRDC -- will help strengthen our efforts to protect our scenic natural heritage and environment. LEED Gold is a big step, but it represents the beginning of our journey, not our destination.
The
Trail Blazers are committed to protecting our environment and appreciate
the Green Week efforts that the NBA and its teams, players and fans
are making to contribute to a healthier, more sustainable tomorrow.
