Green Buildings to Sustain California's Central Valley

California's heartland, the Great Central Valley, is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. However for many years the valley has been struggling with a broad range of social, economic, and environmental challenges. Some significant concerns include water resources, air pollution, poverty rates, housing issues, etc. Another strike against the valley is the relative reluctance to embrace widespread sustainable building practices. This paper discusses the long-term and profound impact of the built environment has on the aforementioned socioeconomic and environmental issues facing the valley. It reviews exemplary practices in other states and regions regarding policy-making and regulation in the building industry as well as sustainable community development. The paper further explores viable options specifically for the Fresno metropolitan area (the largest in the Central Valley) to combat its unique multifaceted challenges.