The 2010 NAREE Spring Conference in Austin, Texas, is underway and attendees have had the chance to tour some of the city’s coolest sustainable projects.

One of the tour’s highlights was Austin’s first Certified Platinum LEED Home – Tonala’calli (House of Sun and Water).

Eighty percent of this 3,100-square-foot home’s energy needs is supplied by only a 3.3kw PV solar system and a solar water heating system. And 100 percent of the home’s landscaping, garden and human water needs are supplied by rainwater. It’s impossible to list all of the sustainable features here, but you can visit www.firstaustinleedhome.com for more info.

Conference attendees were also treated to a tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Comprising more than 270 acres of Texas Hill Country, this center was founded by Lady Bird Johnson in 1982 to protect and preserve North America’s native plants and natural landscapes.

Green has never been more beautiful! Stay tuned for more updates from the NAREE conference!