Turf on your roof. Solar panels. Windows built to maximize natural light.

More builders are incorporating green features into their projects. Who is behind this rising tide of green?

In this case, a self-identified, energetic and largely young group called the Emerging Green Builders of Orange County.

“They’re typically younger design professionals,” said Vaughan Johnson (shown at right), a civil engineer and the group’s marketing chairman, although “everyone is encouraged to attend.”

The group, now about 100 strong, hopes to attract the public to its End of Year Event on Thursday at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach. They’re planning tours of the Nature Center’s new, extremely green building, a silent auction and perhaps organic beer or wine (the event starts at 6 p.m. at the center, 1601 16th St.). The idea is to stimulate public interest, and to network.

They’re a subset of the U.S. Green Building Council, and one of many “Emerging” green builder groups around the country — groups that are usually on the young side, from college age to those with a decade or more of professional experience. In just two years of existence, the Emerging Green Builders of Orange County have amassed an impressive roster of young architects, landscape designers, civil engineers and other professionals — and become adept at holding stylish events to call attention to their mission.

There is no age limit, Vaughan says, although the age range in his group is typically 25 to 35. He’s 33.

And the place they picked for their event couldn’t be more suitable (photo courtesy of LPA, Inc.). The Environmental Nature Center is the county’s the first building to gain the highest rating — platinum — from the LEED program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) that sets standards for green buildings.

At the event, they’ll serve locally grown food, and will recycle, said Bret Hanson, 27, chairman of the Emerging Green Builders of Orange County. And they’ll do plenty of networking.

“We try to walk the walk,” said Hanson, left. “We don’t want to just preach it. We want to do it.”

Paying the admission — $15 for the general public, $10 for students and members – might be a good way to get a glimpse not only of the buildings of the future, but who will be building them.

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