The Illinois Natural History Survey was awarded the LEED Silver Certification on August 1, 2012. The building received 36 of the 69 possible points. With a staff of over 200 scientists and technicians, the Illinois Natural History Survey is recognized as the premier natural history survey in the nation. The resources needed to effectively support the Survey have changed considerably since their current headquarters building was completed in 1942.  

The goal of this project is to construct a new LEED Silver certified facility for housing the biological collections, which will be used by both the Survey and University of Illinois staff, as well as by students for research. In addition the new building will provide offices and research laboratories for the Survey’s Center for Bio-Diversity for approximately 60 people. The architectural style will be compatible with nearby campus buildings and construction will conform to south campus building standards for heavy commercial use. When this building is completed, the Natural History Survey’s Botany Collections will move from the existing Natural Resources Building. This allows the operational units of the INHS to be located adjacent to each other in the South Campus area and the immediate and critical space needs of the Surveys will be addressed. More information about the LEED Certification of the INHS is available on the USGBC’s directory page.