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At Broadmoor, Green is Good!

Some might consider that going without flushing toilets and air-conditioning would be a bit archaic and an inconvenience, but at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary's Saltonstall Nature Center it's a good thing!

Converted from an antique horse barn built in 1911, the Saltonstall Nature Center, renovated in 1983, uses a variety of environment friendly materials and employs renewable resources as natural energy. The design harnesses natural ventilation, sunlight, and solar heating all working together to reduce energy consumption by 80 percent, as compared with usage in a conventional building of the same size.

In 1985, the Saltonstall Nature Center was recognized by the US Department of Energy, and received a Special Award for Energy Innovation from the US Department of Energy—one of 21 awards given nationwide.

It's all about conserving energy!
The ceiling and walls of the nature center are superinsulated and also contain a plastic sheet that lines the building with a draft-proof vapor barrier. With solar heat providing most of the winter heating needs, a woodstove provides additional heat as well. About one and a half cords of wood are burned in the woodstove each year.

The natural ventilation system continuously provides fresh air throughout the seasons. The combination of solar heat and superinsulation keeps the indoor temperature warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

The Saltonstall Nature Center exhibits features composting toilets, which have saved over 2.2 million gallons of water over the past twenty years. A Smart Storm system also conserves water; it collects and stores 1,200 gallons of rainwater from the building's roof, which is used for landscaping purposes around the sanctuary.

To reduce the need for artificial lighting, the building attracts natural sunlight from the large picturesque windows and photovoltaic panels installed on the roof. Sunlight is absorbed into the building through the windows, and the photovoltaic panels convert the sunlight into electricity. Through this natural system, which utilizes the sun's energy, 75 percent of the building's electricity needs are met.

"Working in Broadmoor's eco-friendly nature center is an unique experience, in that every day I am reminded about how much energy and water we are saving," says Ryan Johnson, education coordinator at Broadmoor, "and it contributes to helping make the earth a healthier place."

In 1981-83 Broadmoor raised the money for the nature center renovation. More than 700 individuals, foundations, and corporations contributed. The Nature Center is named the Saltonstall Nature Center in memory of Richard and Mary B. Saltonstall, who were committed local conservationists.

Go to www.soltrex.com to check out the Saltonstall Nature Center's current energy production from the sun.

A display highlighting the building's alternative systems is under design and will be installed in early 2006. In addition, Broadmoor's Saltonstall Nature Center recorded self-guided tour and brochure is being redone to reflect changes.

Come visit the Saltonstall Nature Center and see this amazing system at work! Also come enjoy Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary's nine miles of walking trails through a variety of woodland, field, and wetland habitats.

Details behind the Saltonstall Nature Center

• Architect: Ives Architects, One Dartmouth Place, Boston 02116 (617)266-1899, ivesarch@verizon.net
• Photovoltaic panels: Produced by Evergreen Solar in Marlboro, MA, www.evergreensolar.com
• PV installed: Conservation Services Group, 40 Washington St., Westboro, MA 01581, www.csgrp.com