Wisconsin monestary named greenest in the nation

If its buildings are any indication, Wisconsin is among the leaders in the United States when it comes to going green. The Milkwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the state has been home to the greenest building in the nation two of the last three years, based on a scorecard filled out by the U.S. Green Building Council.

This year's winner is the Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wisconsin, which follows the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center, who earned the honor in 2008. The monastery rose to the top thanks in large part to geothermal heating system and solar panels.

According to the news source, the state has become a leader in environmentally-friendly design because there are several initiatives state-wide that are aimed at creating buildings with energy efficiency and renewable resources in mind.

"We do a lot of work around the country, and Wisconsin definitely would be in the top 10," Manus McDevitt, an engineer who specializes in those two categories, told the news provider.

Homeowners looking to incorporate eco-friendly design into their house may want to consider installing woven bamboo shades. In addition to being manufactured with sustainable material, industry analysts recommend woven bamboo shades due to their durability and beautiful, natural appearance.