Washington State University Vancouver’s Life Sciences Building recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold status from the U.S. Green Building Council. It’s the third of the campus’ buildings to achieve the certification from the largest green building rating system, which determines if a building is healthy, efficient and cost-saving. The $63.8 million building received its status by reducing landfill waste by 61 percent, minimizing carbon emissions, maintaining quality indoor air and more. The building uses such sustainability strategies as energy- and water-saving features. Much of the site was restored to promote biodiversity, according to the university’s news release. Construction started in late 2021 and finished in the summer of 2024 with classrooms, labs and clinical health programs, including biology, chemistry, neuroscience and nursing.