Design Tree Engineering, established in 2006, is a multi-disciplinary firm offering innovative and sustainable solutions for new and existing built environments. With offices in Alexandria, Minneapolis, and St. Cloud, we focus on collaboration, regulatory expertise, and seamless project execution.

We specialize in helping school districts navigate green building certifications, offering services such as energy audits, green-rating consulting, and funding strategies. Our team is experienced in guiding projects through major green standards such as LEED and B3. In addition to green building expertise, we provide Civil, Structural, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Land Surveying engineering services.

Locations Served: All Regions

Address: 1405 Highway 96 E, White Bear Lake, MN, 55110, USA

Contact: Ray Bouchart

Email: rrb@dte-ls.com 

Types of Resources Offered: Professional or Specialty Advice, Connections/Network. Our services include energy auditing and building decarbonization, sustainable program consulting, green funding consulting, and civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and land surveying.

Cost to the School for Resources Offered: School Discounted Fee or Cost, Standard Fee or Cost

Best Practices Areas for Assistance: 

0.     Organizational Leadership

• 0.1 Green Team: Participating districts and schools form a green team comprising diverse roles and stakeholders. 

• 0.5 Green School Strategic Plan: District/School creates a strategic plan and reviews it annually. 

• 0.7 Advanced Recognition: District/School seeks advanced recognition through programs such as Green Ribbon, LEED, and others.

1.     Reduced Environmental Impact and Costs

• 1.1 Energy Efficiency: The District/School has very little wasted energy. 

• 1.2 Renewable Energy: District/School uses renewable energy such as solar panels.

• 1.5 Water Efficiency: District/School has very little wasted water indoors and in the school yard.

• 1.6 Land and Stormwater Management: Schoolyards include areas that are natural and help rain soak deep into the ground.

• 1.11 Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience: District/School has planned and prepared for extreme weather, adaptation to changing climatic conditions, and has fostered strong community connections.

2.     Improved Health and Wellness

• 2.1 Drinking Water Safety: District/School monitors drinking water quality and prevents water contaminants.

• 2.2 Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality: District/School has programs to protect air quality, such as using a strong ventilation standard, a comprehensive Indoor Air Quality Management Program, an asthma management program, and a no-smoking policy.

• 2.3 Indoor Environmental Comfort: The school provides comfortable learning spaces in terms of natural and artificial lighting, temperature, humidity, acoustics (sound quality), window views to nature, furniture, and equipment.

3.     Effective Environmental and Sustainability Education

• 3.7 Community Partnerships: The district/school partners with community organizations to advance green school achievement.