Green Business Certification Inc.

Public Relations
Guidelines

For The Sustainable SITES Initiative

Updated Fall 2023

Contents
Public Relations Guidelines for SITES Certification -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 2Branding Guidelines -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 4Sample Press Release – Certification, Precertification and Recertification  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 5Sample Quotes from GBCI -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 6SITES Accredited Professionals -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 6Sample press release – SITES Accredited Professional  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 8Helpful Contacts -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 9

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SITES Certified Mary Elizabeth Branch Park | Austin, TX
Photo Credit: © Brandon Huttenlocher / Design Workshop, Inc.

Public Relations Guidelines for SITES Certification
Congratulations! You are joining an innovative community dedicated to elevating the economic, social andenvironmental benefits of landscapes. Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the Sustainable
SITES Initiative (SITES) promotes sustainable and resilient landscape development. SITES can be used fordevelopment projects located on sites with or without buildings to enhance their sustainability, implement
nature-based solutions and improve resilience. The program offers several ways to pursue sustainable landscapedevelopment, including SITES precertification and certification, along with earning a SITES AccreditedProfessional credential.

Talking about SITES
SITES Certification
SITES certification provides a comprehensive frameworkfor designing, developing and managing sustainable andresilient landscapes.
SITES supports landscape architects, planners and others
in implementing nature-based solutions. SITES projects
enhance biodiversity and mitigate climate change, whileconserving resources, improving public health andprotecting critical ecosystems.

2SITES Precertification
Precertification is an optional, incremental review
pathway for registered projects. It offers early recognition
for projects in the planning phase, demonstrating theircommitment to achieving SITES certification, and its
ensuing impact on site sustainability and resilience.
Below are resources to help you spread the word about
your achievement.

Use your certification mark,certificate, and plaqueCertified projects will receive a digital certification
mark file, which can be added to your website andmarketing resources. If you do not receive your markupon certification, email marketing@gbci.org. Plaquesand certificates can be ordered through Green Plaque topromote your achievement on-site.

SITES Certified Grant Park Gateway | Atlanta, GA | Photo Credit: © Dorian Sky

Please note, precertified projects do not have certification marks or plaques, as it is a stepping stone to fullcertification. They do have access to certificates via Green Plaque.

Distribute a press release
Once you have achieved SITES certification, please feel free to share the news! A press release template, sample
quotes from GBCI, and other resources can be found in these guidelines. GBCI staff are also available to review
your draft and share the corresponding SITES logo to use in your release. Please email marketing@gbci.org withany questions.

Hold a certification ceremony
Plaque ceremonies are a great way to celebrate your achievement and showcase your projects to stakeholders andthe media. Start by finding a GBCI representative to speak or present a plaque for a SITES certification ceremony.
Complete a speaker request form and a member of our staff will follow up with you. For questions about orderingcertification plaques, please email marketing@gbci.org.

Submit a project profile
Certified projects are featured on our SITES project profile database, which is an excellent opportunity to shareyour work, high-resolution photos of your project and a testimonial from your project team. If you are interested inhaving your project featured on this page, all you need to do is fill out the profile submission form. However, if you
submitted a case study, we may use that information to create a first draft based on that information to get started.
Just let us know how you move forward by emailing marketing@gbci.org.
SITES Certified Kirke Park | Seattle, WA | Photo Credit: © Stuart Isett3

Be social
Promote your achievement on social, and tag SITES’ Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn handles. If you have any
photos of your project or links to news/announcements to share, please let us know and we can to promote these toour audiences. Here are some sample tweets to get your started:

Your Company @yourcompany
We’re proud to showcase our new @SITEScertified [PROJECT], which promotes healthyecosystems, improves our community’s resilience and supports public health. [LINK]

Sustainability and health are a top priority at [COMPANY]. That’s why we’re proud to announce our new@SITEScertified [PROJECT NAME], which strengthens our community’s ecosystem and public health.
[LINK] [PHOTO][COMPANY] is committed to creating sustainable, resilient spaces. That’s why we’re proud to announce that[PROJECT] is @SITEScertified for its green infrastructure, including [FEATURE]. [LINK] [PHOTO]SITES Certified Avenue of Stars | Hong Kong
Photo Credit: © New World Development Company Limited4

Additionally, you can subscribe to both GBCI and SITES for email updates. Learn about important program updates,upcoming events, and sustainability news. We feature a project each month in the SITES newsletter – once you fillout a project profile, yours will be eligible for this slot, as well.

Share an article
Interested in sharing more about your story? Submit an article to marketing@gbci.org for consideration to publish
on the SITES and GBCI websites. GBCI staff will review the content, work with you to finalize and then promote on
SITES’ channels.

Branding Guidelines
GBCI Name
The official organization name is Green Business Certification Inc.TM and GBCI® is the official acronym. GBCI can beused after the first reference. Do not use articles like “the” or “a” when using GBCI as a noun or in the possessive.

SITES rating system
The Sustainable SITES Initiative® is a registered trademark of Green Business Certification Inc. and should be fully
spelled out when referred to for the first time. SITES® is acceptable for the second reference.
Follow all guidance detailed in the GBCI Trademark Policy & Brand Guidelines, and contact marketing@gbci.org
with any questions about branding or use of the trademark and logo.

Certification levels
There are five levels of SITES certification – Precertified, Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. When a project
achieves certification, it should be referred to as a SITES-certified project. Similarly, a project that achieves
precertification is “SITES-precertified,” or can be referred to as “SITES Precertified Project X.” If appropriate,
supporting text may be written that gives additional detail about the specific rating system under which the project
was certified. Do not use the SITES certification marks in connection with SITES-registered projects.
» “SITES certification” with lowercase “c” is used to describe the certification process.
» “SITES-certified” with lowercase “c” is used to describe a project that has been certified.
» “SITES Certified” with capital “C” (and no hyphen) is used to describe a project that has been certified to thebase level: Certified.
When a project is certified, the correct wording is “project ‘X’ is SITES Silver” or “project ‘X’ is SITES certified tothe Silver level” or “project ‘X’ is SITES Silver certified.” Due to repetition, the wording “project ‘X’ is SITES Certifiedcertified” is not recommended. “Certified” to reference both certification and level is sufficient.

5Sample Press Release – Certification, Precertification
and Recertification[ORGANIZATION/PROJECT NAME] Awarded SITES [LEVEL] [PRE/RE]Certification
for Achievement in Landscape Sustainability[COMPANY] Works to Improve Resilience and Community Health through Landscape Development
CITY, State – DATE – Today, [ORGANIZATION] announced [it/name of project] wasawarded [LEVEL] [PRE/RE]certification under the Sustainable SITES Initiative (SITES)
rating system. Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), SITES promotes
sustainable and resilient landscape development to enhance sustainability, implement green
infrastructure strategies and improve resilience.
[Insert details about the project][Quote about the project]
Discuss the strategies used in the various aspects of SITES certification:» Long-term commitment to landscape sustainability» Plant, garden, tree selection and transformation from previous space» Benefits for the community and public health» Water and energy savings» Innovative aspects of your project and use of best practices for land development[Quote from GBCI - see samples below]
Any landscape—whether the site of a large subdivision, a shopping mall, a park, an office building or evena home—holds the potential both to improve and to regenerate the natural benefits and services provided
by ecosystems in their undeveloped state. These benefits—such as supply and regulation of clean air andwater, provision of food and renewable resources and decomposition of waste—are essential to the healthand wellbeing of humans and all other life on the planet. Through [PROJECT]’s SITES certification, they
elevate the value of this space to become more sustainable, resilient and healthy.

About Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)GBCI is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body,
independently recognizing excellence in performance and practice globally while promoting
adoption of building and business practices that continually and measurably improve health,equity, resilience and environmental wellbeing for all. GBCI administers project certifications andprofessional credentials and certificates including, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) green building rating systems, as well as the PEER standard for power systems, the WELL
Building Standard, the Sustainable SITES Initiative (SITES), EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater
Efficiencies), TRUE certification for zero waste and Investor Confidence Project (ICP) for energy
efficiency retrofits.

6Sample Quotes from GBCIYou are welcome to use a quote from GBCI in your press release. Here are a few samples. If you would like to seekapproval on an alternative quote, please contact our communications department at marketing@gbci.org.
“To realize the benefits of healthy ecosystems, we must prioritize sustainable, resilient developmentby integrating nature back into cities,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, U.S. Green Building
Council and GBCI. “Through their SITES certification, [COMPANY] is showing their commitment tosustainability by bringing the importance of green infrastructure and ecosystem services to the forefrontof decision-making.”“[Company] recognizes that landscapes are not merely beautiful, passive features, but living systems
that serve as the world’s natural infrastructure,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, U.S. Green
Building Council and GBCI. “With SITES, we can build, quite literally, the future we aspire to withapproaches that conserve and enhance the land on which we depend, protect our communities fromdisaster and improve human health.”“Sustainable landscapes are essential to the well-being of all life,” said Peter Templeton, President andCEO, U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI. “These landscapes reduce water demand, filter and reducestormwater runoff, provide wildlife habitat, reduce urban heat islands, improve air quality and humanhealth and increase outdoor recreation opportunities – access to which remain critical during times likethese. With their SITES certification, [COMPANY] demonstrates an acknowledgement of this reality,
and a commitment to improving spaces for their community.”

SITES Accredited Professionals

7In earning your SITES AP credential, you have demonstrated yourknowledge of the profession of sustainable landscape design anddevelopment, and the expertise to implement the SITES ratingsystem. Now, you’re joining a community of sustainable landscapedevelopers of multiple backgrounds. Below are a few ways to share
the news of your credential and get the most out of your efforts.

Talk about your SITES AP credential
The SITES AP credential establishes a common framework todefine an individual’s knowledge in creating sustainable and resilient
landscapes and other outdoor spaces. SITES APs demonstrate theskills necessary to support the SITES certification process, including
participating in the design and development process, supportingand encouraging the integrative design process, managing theapplication and certification process, and providing advocacy andeducation for the adoption of SITES.
By supporting the SITES certification system, SITES APs help
ensure landscapes and places implement nature-based solutions toclimate change, conserve resources, create regenerative systems,
foster resiliency, and enhance human well-being. SITES APs are
critical to educating clients, colleagues and the community about
the essential role that SITES plays in protecting and restoring theenvironment and the community.
SITES Certified Woodland Discovery Playground | Memphis, TN
Photo Credit: © Courtesy of James Corner Field Operations

Trademarks
New SITES® APs will receive an email which provides our water to be used to advertise your new credential. Add
it to your email signature and make note of it on your LinkedIn. If you have not received an email, reach out to us atsites@gbci.org.
» Follow all guidance detailed in the GBCI Trademark Policy & Brand Guidelines when using your SITES AP
trademark, and contact marketing@gbci.org with any questions about branding or use of the trademark andlogo.

Share your news on social
Follow SITES on social media to get the latest updates on sustainable landscapes, including SITES’ Facebook,
Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Post your certificate on LinkedIn and be sure to tag @The Sustainable SITES Initiative so we can share your goodnews.
Personal sample text for LinkedIn:Your NameYour bio text here

I’m proud to announce that I have earned my SITES AP credential from @Green Business Certification Inc.
(GBCI)! As a passionate advocate for increased sustainability and resilience in our landscapes, I’m looking
forward to putting my expertise to use through the @The Sustainable SITES Initiative’s SITES rating system
at [COMPANY]. [LINK]PHOTO OF CERTIFICATE

Company-based sample text for LinkedIn:
Congratulations to [SITES AP CANDIDATE] on (pronoun) new SITES AP credential for sustainable landscapedevelopment from @Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)! Through @The Sustainable SITES Initiative[CANDIDATE] is helping [COMPANY] find sustainable solutions to elevate the resilience, health, and vitality of
our landscapes in creative new ways. [LINK] [PHOTO]

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Create your profile in the SITES Directory
Create your SITES AP profile on our website. This is a great way to ensure that your local landscape development
community can contact you for assistance. Then share the opportunity with others in your network.

Sample press release – SITES Accredited Professional[NAME] of [FIRM] Earns SITES Professional Credential from Green Business
Certification Inc.
CITY, State – DATE – [NAME(S), TITLE (S)] of [COMPANY] has earned the SITES
Accredited Professional (SITES AP) credential through Green Building Certification Inc.
(GBCI), placing [HIM/HER/THEM] among an elite group of leading professionals who are
dedicated to enhancing landscape sustainability, implementing nature-based solutions andimproving resilience.
The SITES AP establishes a common framework to define the profession of sustainable
landscape design and development. As a SITES AP, [NAME(s)] demonstrate their knowledge,
expertise, and commitment to the profession. SITES APs possess the knowledge and skills
necessary to support the SITES certification process for sustainable landscape development.
By supporting the SITES certification system, SITES APs help ensure landscapes and places
implement nature-based solutions to climate change, conserve resources, create regenerativesystems, foster resiliency, and enhance human well-being. SITES APs are critical to educatingclients, colleagues and the community about the essential role that SITES plays in protecting
and restoring the environment and the community.
[Quote from Organization][Discuss how/why organization will utilize SITES APs and/or SITES rating system][Optional Quote from GBCI:]“To realize the benefits of healthy ecosystems, we must prioritize sustainable, resilient
development by integrating nature back into cities,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO,U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI. “By earning their SITES AP credential, [NAME] isshowing their commitment to sustainability by investing in green infrastructure expertise andbringing it to the forefront of their very livelihood.”
SITES-certified development projects elevate the value of outdoor space to become moresustainable, resilient and healthy. SITES fills an important gap in the marketplace by offering
a comprehensive, well-vetted framework for sustainable land development. Because while
every building has a landscape, not every landscape has a building.

9About GBCI Professional Credentials
The SITES AP program is one of several professional credentials administered through GBCI, whichuses rigorous test development best practices to assess whether professionals have the minimum
competencies to perform their jobs. In addition to SITES, GBCI also administers the Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate credential, the LEED AP with specialty
credentials, the WELL AP credential, the Sustainability Excellence Associate and Professional
credentials, the Urban Greenhouse Gas Inventory Specialist credential through the City Climate
Planner program and several certificates. GBCI has received and maintained Personnel Certification
accreditation from the American National Standards Institute since 2011. GBCI credentials requireongoing maintenance every two years. To learn more about [COMPANY]’s commitment to sustainable
landscape design, development and management, visit [URL]. More information on the SITES AP isavailable at sustainablesites.org/sites-ap.

About Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)GBCI is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body,
independently recognizing excellence in performance and practice globally while promoting
adoption of building and business practices that continually and measurably improve health,equity, resilience and environmental wellbeing for all. GBCI administers project certifications andprofessional credentials and certificates including, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) green building rating systems, as well as the PEER standard for power systems, the WELL
Building Standard, the Sustainable SITES Initiative (SITES), EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater
Efficiencies), TRUE certification for zero waste and Investor Confidence Project (ICP) for energy
efficiency retrofits.

Helpful Contacts
GBCI

Logo/Branding Use

Within the United States: 1-800-795-1746
Outside the United States: 1-202-828-1145
gbci.org/contact

marketing@gbci.org

Public Relations
Deisy Verdinez, PR & Communications Director
dverdinez@usgbc.org

Certification ceremony
representative request
Speaker Request Form

Cover image:
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical Center | Austin, TX | Photo Credit: © Charles Quinn Photography10