TUPELO – Green buildings practices are growing in national popularity and a group in Northeast Mississippi is hoping to teach people in the region more about the eco-friendly movement.

Earlier this summer, the North Mississippi branch of the U.S. Green Building Council was formed. It’s part of the Mississippi chapter that’s headquartered in Jackson.

Laura Tinsley, chair of the branch’s steering committee, said the monthly meetings have been drawing about 30 to 50 people. Topics have included lighting, geothermal energy and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, rating system.

“The point is to educate as many people in the community about green building,” Tinsley said. “A lot of people have this idea that green buildings have to look real weird and are astronomical as far as pricing. There are lots of common sense things people can do to the building to help the environment.”

The group is geared toward professionals north of Highway 82, but the meetings are open to the public. Tinsley said the branch was created because there were many architects, construction companies, designers and suppliers interested in green building that it justified a branch from the state chapter, which is based in Jackson.

So far, there are about 20 active members, with represented companies including Century Construction, McCarty Co., Day-Brite and JBHM Architects.

The branch’s next meeting is Sept. 18 in Tupelo. Tinsley said a location will be announced later on the group’s blog, http://usgbcnorthmsbranch.wordpress.com/.

In October, the branch is hosting a daylong workshop about the core concepts and strategies for LEED.

Tinsley said she thinks the education and the continued national attention will help residents begin to change the way they think about building.

“Mississippi seems to be a little bit behind the rest of the nation in utilizing green building and the products, but a lot of people are looking for companies that know about it,” Tinsley said. “In 10 years, I think it will continually grow with the attitude that everyone has with the environment.”

Contact Carlie Kollath at (662) 678-1598 or carlie.kollath@djournal.com.

For more information about the North Mississippi branch of the U.S. Green Building Council, go to http://usgbcnorthmsbranch.wordpress.com/ or http://chapters.usgbc.org/mississippi/ for the state chapter.