In honor of Earth Day, we’re excited to share a reflection from Tim Gaughan. In his blog, Tim shares a personal take on what Earth Day means to him and why sustainability matters in our work.
We’re also proud to share that Tim found out last week that he passed his LEED Green Associate exam! Huge congrats to him for this achievement and for leading the way in building a greener future.
From the Desk of Tim Gaughan / Happy Earth Day
As Earth Day approaches, I’ve been thinking about the role we play in the construction industry when it comes to sustainability. April 22nd is a reminder for all of us, across industries, to reflect on our environmental impact and what we can do better. For those of us in construction, this means taking a hard look at our building practices, materials, and mindset.
Personally, Earth Day reminds me why I came to Colorado in the first place: the natural beauty, the outdoors, the lifestyle. I know I’m not alone in that. But as rugged as this place can be, it’s also fragile; droughts, wildfires, and other changes are hard to ignore. You don’t have to read a research paper to see something’s going on, just look at insurance companies adjusting rates and policies. The bottom line is: we live on a planet with finite resources. It’s up to us to take care of it.
Since a very young age, I have loved being out in nature. Every year, my dad would take us out on the annual “Dads and Lads” camping trips. I was still in diapers when I was brought along on my first trip down the Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey. Being the most densely populated state in the country, it’s still surprising how much untouched and preserved forest there is down there. Having that open space accessible to me is something I have always been grateful for and has shaped me into the man I am today. So, every time Earth Day comes around, I take a moment to appreciate what nature and the preservation of it means to me.
The construction industry has a big footprint. Estimates show our work contributes significantly to air pollution, water contamination, landfill waste, and global emissions. That’s not easy to hear, but it’s something many of us already know. Our projects can be wasteful and messy—but they don’t have to be. Better planning, less waste, using salvaged materials, and embracing new technologies aren’t just good for the planet, they’re often better for the budget too.
We’ve adapted to change before, and we can do it again. Whether it’s incorporating recycled materials, installing solar panels, or simply being more mindful on site, every little step helps. I’ll admit, I’ve had moments where I’ve thought, “What difference can I really make?” But that kind of thinking gets us nowhere. We each have a role to play. It might start small, how we sort waste on a jobsite or which products we choose, but it adds up.
This Earth Day, I’m challenging myself (and maybe you) to think about why this matters. Let’s keep learning, keep improving, and keep the places we love worth loving for the next generation.