With a focus on sustainable design and construction, Sustainable Connections is partnering with the Northwest American Institute of Architects to co-host a regional green building and smart growth conference on Nov. 8 at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.

The event, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will center around the Living Building Challenge, a design certification program that looks at development in a variety of performance areas, including site, water, energy, health, materials, equity and beauty.

“We know that saving waste, water, and energy is important,” said Rose Lathrop, green building and smart growth manager at Sustainable Connections, in a press release. “We want to create healthy, efficient buildings and communities. But how can we make real change in the built environment? At this conference, we will address solutions, see examples and models from other communities and gain inspiration from each other and the innovators.”

A line-up of conference speakers is available online: http://sustainableconnections.org/greenbuilding/events/gb-conference/2012-speakers.

For members of Sustainable Connections, the Northwest American Institute of Architects and the Cascadia Green Building Council, registration costs $105.

For general admission, registration is $115.

Contact Rose Lathrop at rose@sconnect.org for more information.