Green Initiatives

We've Gone Green!

Our community leaders are striving to maintain the environment through a variety of programs and sustainable building projects.

Those projects include:

The Discovery Center of Springfield, a hands-on science museum housed in a Leadership in Energy an Environmental Design (LEED®) certified building. The Discovery Center, certified at the Gold level, was the first building in southwest Missouri to attain the certification.

The Hilton Garden Inn opened in March 2011 and also received Gold level LEED® certification.

Farmers Park, a multi-use destination for people and businesses alike, offers premium alternatives to the mass-produced food and goods so commonly sold today. The area features LEED®-certified buildings, lots, and landscaping—all designed and constructed for low impact and long-term sustainability. Farmers Park serves the Ozarks region as a community-oriented center of activity where individuals and families can embrace healthy, happy lifestyles while supporting local farmers and businesses.

Springfield also is home to the Green Circle Shopping Center, an environmentally-friendly building that houses several retailers including MaMa Jean's and Omni Health Yoga. The new shopping center received its Platinum Certification in early 2009.

Other green buildings are in the city's future. The Springfield City Council passed an ordinance in 2008 mandating all future city-owned buildings meet LEED certification standards.

The CVB also maintains environmentally friendly operations through a newly developed paper reduction plan. In addition, the CVB prints its Visitors Guide and other printed materials using Managed Forest Products and on recycled paper. The CVB offices also recycle plastic, paper and aluminum products.