Natural Stone University: Q&A and Tutorials

Have a question about how your company can utilize the Natural Stone University as an employee training and workforce development tool? Join NSI Education Manager Aaron Dahnke for a Q&A session and tutorial of our platform. Attendees will learn how to find courses, create an education plan for  employees, and track progress across your company. 

Stone Testing Lab Overview

Natural Stone InstituteStone Testing Lab Overview 

This session provides an overview of the Natural Stone Institute’s state-of-the-art stone testing lab. Learn about why the lab was created, what services are offered, and what discounts are available to members. Gain a better understanding of the testing services the lab has to offer and when your company should take advantage of these resources.  

Women in Stone Legacy Series: Featuring Brenda Edwards

The Women in Stone Legacy Series explores and celebrates the successful careers of influential women in the natural stone industry. We hope that their stories will inspire future generations of women leaders to pursue their dreams. By learning from their challenges and triumphs, future industry leaders will be motivated to succeed and help our industry thrive.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Landscape Architecture (2024)

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design and industry professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their exterior projects in a series of award-winning project case studies. During this session, we will discuss exterior sitework, including plazas, water features, outdoor living spaces, parks, and memorials. Leave inspired with best practices and creative inspiration to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Reducing Embodied Carbon with Natural Stone

Join us for a case study in sustainable construction as we delve into a compelling case study that showcases the remarkable potential of natural stone in minimizing embodied carbon. Discover how the Freedom Place project in Dallas, TX successfully replaced pre-cast concrete with natural limestone, resulting in an 80% reduction in global warming potential without breaking the bank.

Exploring Sustainable Quarry Practices

Join us as we explore the important topic of ecological land impacts from natural stone quarrying. The Natural Stone Sustainability Standard has redefined the narrative around natural stone extraction, where sustainability and longevity harmonize with industry needs. With a focus on exemplary cases of quarry reclamation and adaptive reuse, you'll leave with a new level of comfort knowing that the natural stone materials you are sourcing have been responsibly produced with long-term plans to protect the environment.

Case Studies: Using Natural Stone in Residential Architecture (2023)

With so many building materials on the market today, what makes natural stone the best material for your application? Join us as a group of design and industry professionals discuss why they chose natural stone for their residential projects in a series of award-winning project case studies. During this session, we will discuss residential architecture and the opportunities tied to stone applications in exteriors, outdoor living spaces, fireplaces, and interior specialty spaces. Come away inspired to incorporate more natural stone in your design portfolio. Leave inspired with best practices and creative inspiration to expand the use of natural stone in your portfolio.

Maximizing Your Membership

The Natural Stone Institute provides a number of tangible benefits for companies in the natural stone industry. This course bundle will provide resources to explain how these resources can be utilized to create value for you and your team. Come away with a plan to maximize your investment through Natural Stone Institute programs, resources, and events:

Using Natural Stone to Create Biophilic Environments

Natural stone is an obvious material choice for biophilic design, but the versatility of the material is endless and worth exploring. This session will highlight several interior and exterior projects, and the unique ways they used natural stone in functional and artistic applications.

Women in Stone | How to Get Involved

Women in Stone is a thriving advocacy group powered by the Natural Stone Institute. In this course you can watch two videos. First, an orientation style webinar developed to help new Women in Stone participants understand the various benefits of involvement. It explains the events and programs offered and how you can get involved. Second, a Call to Action webinar which details the volunteer opportunities for 2025

An Overview of the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard

Learn why natural stone quarriers, fabricators, and distributors should certify to the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard. Get a high level overview of the process including document review, on-site audit, and the resources available for companies to complete each step.

Natural Stone Institute Program- Natural Stone Resource Library Overview

Over 250 of the Natural Stone Institute’s technical documents are available online and free of charge in the Natural Stone Resource Library. Join us as we discuss how to use this resource when creating natural stone specifications. Learn how stone industry professionals use this program to inform both commercial and residential customers of installation standards for natural stone.

Water: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Water section contains the following credits:

Water Reduction Planning (required)

Water Recycling

     Required: A minimum of 25% of the water accounted for in the water inventory for processing and quarry operations shall be captured and recycled

     Optional: 85%+

     Optional 95%+

Enhanced Water Treatment (required)

     Optional: Diversion of 50%+ of sludge

     Optional: Input water sourced from rainwater, grey water, or other nonpotable source

          25-49%

          50-74%

          75%+

Transportation: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Transportation section contains the following credits:

Chain of Custody (required)

Transportation Management Plan (required)

Site Management: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Site Management section contains the following credits:

Site Management Plan (required)

Ecosystem Boundaries (required)

Environmental Impact Assessment

Verification of Site Management Plan

Land Reclamation & Adaptive Reuse: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Land Reclamation & Adaptive Reuse section contains the following credits:

Post Closure Reclamation Plan (required)

Community Involvement

Exemplary Site Closure

Corporate Governance: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Corporate Governance section contains the following credits:

Prohibition on Forced Labor (required)

Prohibition on Child Labor (required)

Prevention on Discrimination (required)

Community Outreach/Service (required)

Social Accountability (required)

Energy: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Energy section contains the following credits:

Energy Inventory (required)

Energy Management Program (required)

Total Energy Reduction

Carbon Management

Renewable & Alternative Energy Sourcing

Excess Process Materials & Waste: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Innovation section of the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard contains the following credits:

Excess Materials Inventory (required)

Excess Materials Reduction Plan (required)

Demonstrated Excess Process Materials Reduction

Demonstrated Solid Waste Reduction

Chemicals: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Chemicals section contains the following credits:

Chemical Inventory (required)

Chemical Management Program (required)

Additional Chemical Management Program

Elimination of Chemicals of Concern

Human Health & Safety: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Human Health & Safety section contains the following credits:

Occupational Safety Plan (required)

Optional: Improved workplace safety using data for less injuries or illnesses

Air Emissions Inventory (required)

Air Emissions Management Plan (required)

Innovation: Document Review Guidance for the Sustainability Standard

The Innovation section of the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard contains the following credits:

Health & Safety

Transportation

Waste Reclamation or Reuse

Energy Conservation

Natural Stone Institute Program- Natural Stone Institute Accreditation Program Overview

This session will include a holistic overview of the Natural Stone Institute Accreditation Program.  Review the history of this program and discuss how the program has improved industry standards.  Hear from Accredited companies who have already received their designation and learn how they utilized the program to improve their companies.

Introduction to the Accreditation in Progress Series

This is the first course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

This introductory webinar will explain why now is the time to pursue Natural Stone Institute Accreditation. Learn what is being done to promote Accredited companies and establish relevance of the credential in the market. This session will also include a broad overview of steps required to complete the accreditation process. Learn how to prepare for and complete each step to earn accreditation and how to get your entire team involved to make the process go smoothly.

Accreditation in Progress: Accreditation Exam

This is the fourth course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

The Natural Stone Institute accreditation exam may seem intimidating at first, but there’s no need to worry. Join us as we discuss tips and tricks to help you successfully pass the exam. During this session, we will review the types of questions that will be asked and discuss strategies for finding the correct answer. Come away with a plan to pass the exam on the first try.

Accreditation in Progress: Recommendations

This is the second course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

Recommendations are a requirement of the accreditation process. Seeking recommendations gives you an opportunity to follow up on past successes. During this session, we will discuss the recommendations required to become accredited. Learn what recommendations meet this requirement and how to utilize these recommendations to drive sales.  Come away with a plan to ask for and receive recommendations that will help your company.

Accreditation in Progress: Business Paperwork

This is the third course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

Review the business documents needed for accreditation. Learn what is acceptable paperwork to submit and how to properly document information.

Accreditation in Progress: Safety Review

This is the fifth course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

A voluntary OSHA visit is an accreditation requirement that causes many companies angst. Join us as we demystify this requirement. Hear from companies who have gone through the OSHA On-Site Consultation process.  Learn what to expect during this visit and how you can best prepare for it.

Accreditation in Progress: The Final Audit

This is the sixth course in our Accreditation in Progress: Six Month Immersion Bundle.

Your company has submitted the required paperwork, had a OSHA On-Site Consultation, and passed the accreditation exam. The last requirement in an in-person audit. During this session we will discuss what auditors look for when they visit your site. Review the scheduling process and audit paperwork. Come away with a plan to finalize the process of becoming an accredited company.

Natural Stone Institute Program- CEU Program Orientation

This is a ‘how to’ video featuring the Natural Stone Institute’s CEU Program. Members can enroll in the program so they can access turn-key presentations, present them to the architects and designers of their choice, and offer ceu credits. Once you finish watching, complete the exam in the final module and forward your certificate of completion to kris@naturalstoneinstitute.org. 

Natural Stone Institute Program- Customizing CEU Presentations

Have you ever considered customizing a CEU presentation for your companies use?  This ‘how to’ video discusses the value of a customized CEU presentation.  You will learn about presentation requirements, the credit approval process and how to establish yourself as a provider and administrator.

Natural Stone Institute Program: CEU Speaker Refresher

Natural Stone Institute's CEU Program provides our members with the tools needed to build relationships with architects and designers. If you are not already enrolled and certified, please exit this class and watch the full CEU Program Orientation. The CEU Speaker Refresher Course is intended for existing speakers to maintain their certification by learning about new resources and procedures. 

Virtual Quarry Tour: Majestic Stone

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active granite quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Virtual Quarry Tour: Lyons Sandstone

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active granite quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry in Lyons, CO, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Virtual Quarry Tour: TexaStone Quarries

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!

Virtual Quarry Visit: Rademann Dolomitic Limestone

This one-hour virtual experience will feature an active quarry and allow you to see the stone in its original environment. Discover the history of the quarry, the geological components of the stone, and what makes it unique to this site. Stone professionals will provide technical information concerning stone installation, and you will discover creative applications and opportunities with a designer. Join us and connect with nature’s oldest building material!