855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 124

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Planting diverse vegetation species helps to maintain and improve biodiversity and enhances the aesthetic value of natural spaces, bringing greater biophilic impacts. Visual preference studies have shown that people find it more pleasing when several different plant species are visible instead of a single planting, or monoculture.

Teams must include at least 10 species that are native or adapted to the project’s EPA Level III ecoregion, or local equivalent for any project outside of the U.S. The team must identify species from at least two of the following categories: tree, shrubs, and ground cover. Native species are crucial in maintaining ecological balance, and including the required amount ensures that construction projects can contribute to ecological health and support of local wildlife.

Pollinators such as birds, butterflies, and bees play a significant role in the pollination of many crops, climate resilience, and creating spaces that provide support for declining pollinator populations. They are also essential for the reproduction of many wild plants. Dedicating an area within the project boundary for native flowering plants appropriate for local pollinators helps create a pollinator-friendly habitat to promote plant reproduction.

Projects must dedicate at least 110 square feet (10 square meters) of habitat, consisting of native flowering plants appropriate for local pollinators. Signage must include information and education about the habitat’s purpose and the native species planted.

AND/OR

Option 2. Bird-friendly Glass

The project team must use elevation plans and section plans to assess all façade materials (glazing, opaque envelope, etc.) above grade or a green roof within the project boundary.

The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has developed a system to evaluate and rate materials based on their potential threat to birds, known as the Material Threat Factor (TF). This system assigns scores to materials, providing a relative measure of how well they deter bird collisions. The scores help architects and designers select bird-friendly materials for buildings. The façade material distances analyzed must consist of the first 50 feet (15 meters) above grade, or up to 20 feet (6 meters) from the finished grade of a green roof. All glass, including spandrel glass, must have a maximum threat factor of 30 under the ABC Data Base if it is located within these distances. [53] These guidelines consider materials with a Threat Factor of 30 or below are considered to significantly reduce the risk of bird collisions, estimating at least a 50% reduction

53 American Bird Conservancy, (2011, October), Bird collision deterrence: Summary of material threat factors, abcbirds.org/wp- content/uploads/2015/05/Docs10397.pdf.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 114