Celebrating World Nature Conservation Day Through Verified Energy Projects

World Nature Conservation Day, observed each year on July 28, underscores the critical connection between a healthy environment and a healthy society. As population growth and climate change intensify pressure on natural systems, the need for sustainable, resilient infrastructure has never been greater. Communities have a responsibility to manage resources wisely while addressing environmental and social justice concerns. 

The Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework, developed by the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), is a comprehensive tool that helps professionals plan, design, and deliver more sustainable projects of all types and sizes. Envision is a decision-making tool that is used by infrastructure owners, engineers, designers, architects, planners, contractors, and other stakeholders to evaluate projects across a broad range of sustainability indicators, or “credits,” that address environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability to encourage systemic change.  

While infrastructure and environmental protection can seem at odds—especially in energy development—many Envision-verified energy projects prove they can go hand-in-hand. These projects don’t just generate cleaner energy; they also enhance ecosystems and create community benefits like restored habitats and recreational spaces. 

West Riverside Energy Center 

Alliant Energy’s West Riverside Energy Center, located near Beloit, Wisconsin, earned Envision Platinum verification in 2020. This $660 million combined-cycle natural gas facility produces 730 megawatts of electricity—enough to power over 550,000 homes—and plays a key role in Alliant Energy’s transition to cleaner energy. 

The project integrates advanced technologies and community-focused features. Plume abatement technology reduces visible emissions, while the 0.6-mile Alliant Energy Peace Trail Extension enhances public access and connects to the larger 12-mile Peace Trail system. Community input shaped the visual design, including berms, landscaping, and preserving the iconic “candy cane” stacks from the retired Rock River Generating Station. 

To support local ecosystems, Alliant Energy restored 67 acres with native prairie grasses and flowers, improving habitat connectivity and biodiversity. Prior to planting, a goat-for-hire company was used to remove invasive species across 20 acres in an environmentally friendly way. Native vegetation and innovative stormwater practices—like rainwater harvesting—also help manage runoff and boost the site’s water storage capacity for operational use. 

Holland Energy Park 

The Holland Energy Park project in Holland, Michigan was verified Envision Platinum in 2016. Owned by the Holland Board of Public Works (HBPW), the Holland Energy Park is a cornerstone of the city’s 40-year Community Energy Plan, which aims to create a sustainable energy future and reduce overall energy demand. 

Following a comprehensive Sustainable Return on Investment (SROI) analysis and extensive stakeholder engagement, HBPW selected a natural gas solution with supplemental purchased power agreements for renewable energy. 

The site’s proximity to wetlands enabled the extension of the Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway trail system, linking it to Windmill Island Gardens and revitalizing a deteriorating eastern gateway into Holland. The landscape now features native vegetation, walking paths, and ponds that integrate seamlessly with the surrounding environment, while improving multimodal access to the city and the Padnos Transportation Center. 

A Biodiversity Assessment informed habitat protection and restoration efforts, identifying both potential impacts and opportunities for ecological enhancement, including wetland restoration and invasive species removal. 

Holland Energy Park now serves as a model of sustainable infrastructure—delivering reliable energy, connecting people to nature, and enhancing the city’s identity as an accessible, environmentally integrated community hub. 

Marshalltown Generating Station 

Alliant Energy’s Marshalltown Generating Station in Iowa was verified Envision Platinum in 2017. This 650-megawatt natural gas combined cycle facility supplies power to approximately 500,000 homes and businesses. Compared to traditional coal-fired plants, it emits less than half the carbon dioxide, two-thirds less nitrogen oxide, and 99% less sulfur and mercury. 

As part of the project, Alliant Energy restored a portion of the site to create a public “Nature Trail,” featuring seven acres of native prairie and pollinator habitats. Replacing former monoculture row crops, the area now supports biodiversity and offers daily public access. The trail includes educational signage to help visitors learn about the environmental benefits of native ecosystems. 

A Blueprint for Fundamental Change in Infrastructure Development 

On World Nature Conservation Day, it’s critical to recognize that sustainable infrastructure is already transforming communities. Projects like the West Riverside Energy Center, Holland Energy Park, and Marshalltown Generating Station demonstrate that energy generation and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand. By using tools like Envision, infrastructure owners are making smarter choices—ones that reduce emissions, restore ecosystems, and create lasting community value. These examples aren’t just success stories; they’re blueprints for the future. 

Replacement of Casa Loma Siphon Barrel No. 1 Awarded Envision Silver

Pipe sections are lowered into a trench in 2022. (Photo courtesy Metropolitan Water District of Southern California).

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has earned an Envision Silver award for its Casa Loma Siphon Barrel No. 1 Project to improve the resiliency of a major water supply pipeline vulnerable to earthquakes and damage from subsidence. The project replaces and upgrades a critical component of Metropolitan’s water distribution system, which supplies water to nearly 19 million people in six counties throughout Southern California.

The Casa Loma Siphon Barrel No. 1 pipeline segment — originally built in 1935 and extending 5 miles across the San Jacinto Valley — crosses the Casa Loma Fault and is vulnerable to earthquakes. Leaks have occurred since the 1960s resulting from displacement and settlement due to seismic activity and subsidence from groundwater pumping. Despite previous repair attempts over the years, including pipe replacement, installation of external flexible couplings, and installation of internal seals, a long-term solution had yet to be achieved.

The Casa Loma Siphon Barrel No. 1 Project replaced approximately 1,200 feet of 148-inch diameter steel and concrete pipe segments that cross the fault zone. The new siphon consists of two parallel barrels of 104-inch diameter Earthquake-Resistant Ductile Iron Pipe (ERDIP) designed to withstand up to 13 feet of horizontal displacement during an earthquake and ongoing ground settlement. The pipes were specially designed for Metropolitan and are among the largest earthquake-resistant pipes in the world. The success of the Casa Loma Siphon Barrel No. 1 Project introduces a new design for Metropolitan pipelines that will improve the resiliency of the infrastructure, secure the water supply for millions of people, and provide a new approach to designing and upgrading other pipelines throughout the region.

Quotes

“Metropolitan is honored to receive this recognition for our efforts to ensure Southern California’s water supply is resilient to earthquakes and climate-related risks and reliable for the communities we serve,” said Metropolitan Assistant General Manager John Bednarski.

“This project demonstrates that an innovative and successful project can be implemented in a manner that meets a number of objectives beyond those that may be narrowly related to increasing regional water supply reliability,” said Project Manager Cathy Chau. “And this was a truly creative and ingenious collaboration between Metropolitan staff, the contractor, pipe manufacturer and consultants.”

“The Casa Loma Siphon Barrel No. 1 was a critical project installing an innovatively designed pipeline using ERDIP. This project provides long-term resiliency for vital water infrastructure for millions of Southern Californians. This Envision award was a result of successful collaboration between the engineering, design, construction, environmental, and management teams to create a more sustainable project. A very impressive first Envision Award for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California!” said Dr. Akima Cornell, PhD, ENV SP, SPEC, GPRO, Sustainability Expert and Principal, Akima Consulting, LLC.

“Congratulations to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the entire project team on the success of this project,” said Kailey Eldredge, ISI Verification Director. “The owner and the project team demonstrated strong leadership in identifying, planning, designing and developing a more resilient and innovative solution for the underground pipeline, one that strengthens the Metropolitan water distribution system on which millions of residents rely.”

This is the first Metropolitan project to pursue Envision Verification. The Envision Silver award is based on an independent peer-review process conducted and overseen by ISI. The verification team evaluated the project’s performance across a set of 64 credits that collectively address sustainability and resilience, including quality of life, stakeholder engagement, project management, community planning, materials, energy, water, land use, ecological impacts, emissions, pollution, climate vulnerability, risk and systems integration.

Envision by the Numbers for Q2 2025 Available

This document has data on Envision use and related statistics from our Verification, Credentialing and Membership Programs. It was designed to equip Envision Sustainability Professionals (ENV SPs) and other champions of sustainable infrastructure with Envision stats and graphs, which may be used to support presentations on the framework and Envision business cases. Please credit ISI if you are using this document, which will be updated on a quarterly basis in January, April, July, and October.

Link to the resource.

Verification Program Welcomes Two New Staff

We are excited to announce that the ISI verification team has added two new members, Ryan Eldridge-Burch and Melissa Perez-Saavedra. Their passion and proven experience will help deepen and strengthen our impact through ISI’s Verification Program!

Melissa Perez-Saavedra, Verification Specialist, brings a strong background in sustainable design and a deep commitment to environmentally responsible development. She promoted sustainability frameworks and led technical and educational initiatives focused on whole life cycle approaches at the Guatemala Green Building Council — helping professionals make informed, sustainable decisions from concept to completion. Her credentials include EDGE Expert, LEED Green Associate, CASA AP, Construction Product LCA Specialist, and ENV SP. Born in Guatemala City and based in the U.S., Melissa holds a degree in architecture from Universidad Rafael Landivar.

Ryan Eldridge-Burch, Verification Specialist, comes to ISI with a background in sustainable urban planning. He is a certified planning professional with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and holds a Master of Science in Climate Change & Society from North Carolina State University. Before joining ISI, Ryan worked as a senior urban planner within the Triangle Region of North Carolina and managed various sustainable infrastructure projects, including greenway expansion, electric vehicle charging advancement, and several Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs.

ISI Staff Bios

Application Deadline Extended for ISI’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP)

The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) has extended the deadline for the second round of its Technical Assistance Program (TAP) until July 31. This program was created to provide infrastructure owners from small and/or economically-distressed communities with better access to resources for guiding more sustainable projects.

ISI is an education and research nonprofit with a mission to help communities around the world build sustainable, resilient, and equitable civil infrastructure. ISI manages the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework, which is designed to help infrastructure stakeholders implement more sustainable, resilient, and equitable projects. Envision includes 64 sustainability and resilience indicators, called ‘credits’, organized around five categories. Each credit includes criteria questions to help project teams examine options for incrementally improving a project’s sustainable performance.

The TAP program was inspired by ISI’s experience working with a project team in Ethiopia – the first project in Africa to register and apply the Envision framework. Through this collaboration, ISI recognized the need to reduce barriers to access and provide greater support for project teams using Envision in economically distressed areas.

The program, which pairs project teams with academic subject matter experts, follows the standard academic year cycle. The inaugural year (2024–2025) supported three projects and ISI is seeking applications for the program’s second cohort of five projects.

What are the Primary Program Goals?

  1. To develop new pathways for equitable access to Envision verification resources
  2. To apply principles of sustainability to projects facing real-world challenges
  3. To provide Envision verification experience to sustainability professionals and practical experience to students through which lessons can be learned

What Are the Eligibility Criteria?

This program is available to infrastructure projects within economically distressed communities.

The application asks applicants to provide project information (owner, owner representative, description, goals), an explanation of how the owner represents a small and economically distressed community, and reasons for pursuing Envision verification.

How Can I Apply?
Download the PDF application form at the link below. Email submission instructions are outlined on the form. The deadline is July 31, 2025.

What Happens After I Apply?
Selection of participating projects and Academic Partners will conclude on August 8. The kickoff meeting for successful applicants will be scheduled for September 5, 2025.

Where Can I Get More Information?
View the TAP webpage

Bioswales and Beyond: Elevating Airport Sustainability

By ISI Guest Author:
Caroline E. Pinegar, AICP, ENV SP

The coolest thing about being a sustainability planner in the aviation industry is that you get exposed to it all. Runways, buildings, roadways, transit, utilities, treatment facilities. It’s basically like getting to work in a small city – which is perhaps what drew me to my career in the first place. My SimCity obsession in grade school gave way to a degree in City and Regional Planning a decade later, which was timed perfectly with the rise of the “Aerotropolis” and the restructuring of the airline industry (I was fascinated by both). Or maybe I was drawn to aviation because of my fighter pilot dad, hours at air shows, and the frequent trips (sometimes in a C-5) to take my family to the next place. But I digress…I’m supposed to be talking about sustainability.  

When most people think of airport infrastructure and sustainability, they envision runways, terminals, and control towers. Of all the aviation projects I’ve reviewed through the lens of environmental compliance or sustainability, something unexpected came to mind to blog about for ISI this month: a parking lot.  

Swales in the City: An Airport’s Eco-Friendly Parking Plot Twist

Let’s be honest. When you think of a parking lot, “sustainability” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind – nor the tenth. More than likely, you’re thinking “heat,” “pavement,” or “where did I leave my car?” Yet, at one of my favorite international airports, a phased program that includes much-needed new parking is demonstrating that even the most utilitarian spaces can contribute meaningfully to sustainability goals. 

The parking need is undeniable. But seriously, who wants more pavement?  

Enter, a forward-thinking City Department, insisting that this is not a run-of-the-mill parking lot design, and specifying that the design team scope out a plan to make this project more sustainable. The proposal was to use ISI’s Envision Framework to serve as a guide at a minimum – with the hope that verification is supported in the long term. The Department supported the idea.  

Conversations to integrate sustainability into this parking lot had already begun by the time I entered the scene and are continuing through stakeholder engagement activities. Of course the big ideas are great, and I hope many of them will still be integrated into the ultimate programEV charging, renewable energy, electric shuttles, recycled pavement, and improved visual elements like local art in bus shelters and decorative fencing have all been floated. As we enter the first phase of construction, some ideas have risen to the level of implementation as the Airport faces the reality of available funding and grant opportunities, particularly in the current climate (no pun intended). 

The Envision Framework: Credits Get Us Talking

At least partly in the name of credit seeking (if we’re being honest) for LD 1.1 Provide Effective Leadership & Commitment, LD 1.2 Foster Collaboration & Teamwork, LD 1.3 Provide for Stakeholder Involvement, and several others, I watched as planners, engineers, ops staff, maintenance staff, utility experts, lighting experts, the finance team, and the decision makers went thoughtfully and carefully through the Envision Framework checklist during our mid-point design charrette. What ensued was collaborative and thought-provoking conversation, pie-in-the-sky ideas, and a few deflating realities. What I found was that those LD credits aren’t just a box to check—it’s the spark that ignites innovation. What started as a conversation about drainage turned into a brainstorm about biodiversity, water quality, and options for this specific climate. A few engineers started thinking about how to redesign for stormwater filtration. And just like that, the bioswale idea took root—literally. A week later, the design team had integrated bioswales between the rows of parking just in time for the 65% design submittal.

Wait, What’s a Bioswale? 

A bioswale is a landscape element designed to manage stormwater runoff. It’s a shallow, vegetated channel that slows, filters, and absorbs rainwater, removing pollutants and recharging groundwater along the way.

Here’s what a bioswale typically includes: 

  • Native plants and grasses 
  • Layers of soil, mulch, and gravel 
  • A gentle slope to guide water 
  • Possibly some hidden pipes or underdrains for overflow  

In short, it’s a beautiful blend of form and function—like a rain garden that wants an A++.  

Why Bioswales Belong in Parking Lots

Let’s face it: parking lots are usually ecological dead zones. They’re impervious, ugly, heat-trapping, and pollutant-collecting. But bioswales flip the script. Here’s how: 

Stormwater Management

By capturing and treating runoff onsite, the bioswales reduce the burden on municipal stormwater infrastructure and help protect downstream water bodies.

Habitat Enhancement

The use of native vegetation supports pollinators and small wildlife, contributing to regional biodiversity and ecological connectivity.

Urban Heat Island Mitigation

Vegetated areas help moderate local temperatures, reducing heat buildup in the parking lot and improving comfort for employees.

Groundwater Recharge

By promoting infiltration, the bioswales support aquifer replenishment and reduce surface water pollution.

Alignment with Envision: Natural World Credits

The project’s approach directly supports Envision Credits in the Natural World category, which encourage infrastructure projects to. This credit encourages infrastructure projects to:

  • Preserve or restore ecological function 
  • Enhance habitat quality and connectivity 
  • Engage stakeholders in ecological planning 

By transforming a degraded site into a functioning ecological system, this parking lot project demonstrates how even small-scale infrastructure can contribute to broader sustainability goals. 

Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

This project offers several key takeaways for infrastructure professionals: 

  • Every site has potential– Even a parking lot can support ecological restoration and sustainability.
  • Stakeholder engagement drives innovation– Inclusive planning leads to more resilient and accepted outcomes.
  • Green infrastructure is scalable– Bioswales and similar features can be integrated into a wide range of infrastructure types.
  • Sustainability is a shared responsibility– Long-term success depends on collaboration between planners, designers, operators, and the community.
  • Celebrate the small stuff– Even a parking lot can be a platform for positive change.

Final Thoughts: From Lot to Legacy

As airports and other infrastructure systems face increasing pressure to adapt to climate change and environmental degradation, projects like this offer a clear path forward: one that integrates sustainability in unexpected places. These bioswales may be a small detail and overlooked by many. But I, for one, am looking at parking lots very differently these days. That patch of wildflowers and waving grasses? It’s not just landscaping—it’s a statement.  

Hopefully you will not translate my enthusiasm related to a parking lot as acceptance that we shouldn’t always still ask my favorite Envision phrase: not only “Are we doing the project right?” but also, “Are we doing the right project?”   

My excitement about this project comes from seeing the Envision Framework working as intended. When the parking lot is coming, make it better. Get creative. Do something. A bioswale in a parking lot is proof that sustainability doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of listening, learning, and letting nature do what it does best.  

If nothing else, I hope you, too, will notice how something small contributes to creating a better place. These small wins are contagious — and they amount to a lot. 


Caroline is a Senior Project Manager with HNTB, specializing in aviation environmental documentation and sustainability. She has a Masters in City and Regional Planning (MCRP) from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation from Mary Washington College. Caroline earned her Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) credential from ISI in 2014, is currently Chairperson of ISI’s newly reinvigorated Credentialing and Learning Strategies Committee, and a member of ISI’s Airports & Envision Working Group.  

Connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Empowering Future Engineers: ISI Supports ASCE’s 2025 Sustainability Competition

ISI has collaborated with ASCE to support the 2025 ASCE Sustainable Solutions Competition, which challenged students to integrate sustainability into a real-world engineering situation. In addition to sponsoring the recent ASCE Civil Engineering Student Championships at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, ISI facilitated a mentoring program and offered complimentary credentialing training for interested team members.   

Real-World Competition Context

The competition simulates a request for proposal (RFP) that responds to a real-world challenge. This included the application of Envision as part of the project. Teams had to use the Envision Guidance Manual and a customized competition checklist to guide the development of their proposed site design. As part of their submission, they were asked to document a subset of Envision credits. Full rules, including the problem statement and details on Envision use are available on the competition webpage.  

Expanding Understanding of Envision Application

Each competition team had the opportunity to select up to five members to access ISI’s online training, designed to prepare them to take the ENV SP exam and expand their understanding of the Envision application. Beyond the competition, the ENV SP credential is a valuable designation for civil infrastructure professionals, equipping them to apply Envision principles in real-world practice. Nearly 30 teams requested training, with more than 75 students claiming a training credit and 25 earning the ENV SP credential.  

Connecting Experienced Envision Users and Student Teams

ISI and ASCE staff worked together to connect experienced Envision users with student teams to serve as mentors, offering guidance and feedback on applying the Envision framework to their projects. This was a valuable opportunity for ENV SPs to engage with students, share real-world insights, and communicate Envision’s value to emerging professionals. Mentors were asked to attend two one-hour virtual sessions with the project team to answer questions and discuss the application of Envision to the competition project.

Nearly 60 project teams requested a mentor, including 6 teams at universities in China, 4 in India, and 48 in North America. Student teams were paired with one of 46 mentors, who donated their time to engage and share their knowledge with students interested in sustainable development.

Symposia took place in the spring for each of the 22 student conferences. Of the 22 championship teams, 15 requested a mentor.

The 2025 Sustainable Solutions Competition Champion, Georgia Institute of Technology, was mentored by James Heeren with Dewberry. Second Place finisher University of California, Berkeley, was mentored by Stacy Sinclair with Flatiron Dragados. Congratulations to all of the participants!

Thank You to Our Mentors

ISI and ASCE are incredibly grateful to all of the mentors who contributed to this year’s competition. If you are an ENV SP who would like to mentor a team next year, let us know.

  • Maher Abdallah, FG Wilson Engineering FZE
  • Kate Aglitsky, MTA C&D
  • Adib Amini, University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • Kais Amor Benabderrahmane, RTM
  • Clément Boisselier, Aecon Group Inc.
  • Leslie Brunell, ISI
  • Megan Coleman, JKMuir
  • Tom Ennis, SEH, Inc
  • Shelly Fisher, AtkinsRealis
  • Victoria Freyssinier, Columbia University
  • Courtney Gantt, RS&H
  • Griselda Gonzales, GRIS Engineering
  • James Heeren, Dewberry
  • Nidal Hussein, CDM Smith Consultant
  • Libby Jones, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
  • Danielle Kaden, WSP
  • Megan Kilinski, RS&H
  • Will Kirby, HDR
  • Aerin Klump, HDR
  • Julie Koehler, Envision Trainer (retired)
  • Scott Komarek, Bartlett & West Inc.
  • Howard Lusk, Jacobs
  • Quin MacKenzie, Luuceo Consulting
  • Sandy Mukherjee, AECOM
  • Jen Ninete, ISI
  • Dimitri Pasquion, Parsons
  • Stephanie Printz, HDR Inc.
  • Janet Rodriguez Livesey, Inland Engineering Consultants
  • Jill Roth, Luuceo Consulting
  • Ethel Rubio, Trainer
  • Carly Shannon, Linx Strategies LLC
  • Stacy Sinclair, Flatiron Dragados
  • Erin Steever, Bartlett & West
  • Kevin Thornton, PSOMAS
  • Teresa Vangeli, WSP USA
  • Jessica Wagner, JKMuir
  • Bronwyn Worrick, Self Employed
  • Kara Wright, Pinyon Environmental
  • Daeun Yoon, Arup
  • James Yung, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.
  • Mr. Zhao Guangbin, guide to Southwest Jiaotong University
  • Mr. Cai Lingsong, guide to Dalian University of Technology
  • Dr. Zhu Ping, guide to Chongqing University
  • Mr. Sang Wanchen, guide to Zhejiang University
  • Ms. Song Yawen, guide to Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Dr. Ma Yinghua, guide to Southwest Jiaotong University