|
Featured Mass Audubon Green Sanctuaries
 | | The SmartStorm Rainwater Recovery System can store up to 2,000 gallons of water and is used to water the gardens at Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary. |
Below are examples of some Mass Audubon sanctuaries that are “going green”. See our interactive map for more information on other sites. Check back for updated information as we continue to reduce our ecological footprint.
Boston Nature Center
 The Boston Nature Center (BNC) is an urban wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Boston. Construction of BNC's George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center was completed in 2002 as a joint project between the City of Boston and Mass Audubon.
The Center is an educational showcase for the principles of green design and construction. The building was oriented to capture maximum sunlight. It also boasts state-of-the-art features, including solar roof shingles, solar hot water, a ground-mounted photovoltaic array (12.2 kW located behind the Center), and a geothermal system for cooling and heating, all of which reduce energy consumption and costs. Recycled materials and native landscaping are found throughout the site. The result? The Center is a leading example of sustainable construction.
In November 2010 a 12.2 kW photovoltaic array was added on the roof of an adjoining building, the BNC's maintenance garage, in order to further increase on-site clean electricity production.
Learn more about Green Technology at Boston Nature Center.
Back to top
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary Broadmoor's historic Saltonstall Nature Center in Natick was built in 1911 and renovated in 1983. The building earned the U.S. Department of Energy's Special Award for Energy Innovation in 1985.
The building features natural ventilation, day-lighting (natural light), a rainwater collection system and composting toilets. The Nature Center is primarily heated by solar, with a wood stove as backup, providing 100% of its heating needs.
Broadmoor has received three grants from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative for solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, totaling 22.2 kW in capacity. Currently, Broadmoor's solar arrays produce the equivalent of 100% of the sanctuary's electricity needs.
Want to visit this green building? Stop by for a guided or self-guided tour. An interpretive wayside exhibit highlights the building's features.
Learn more about Green Technology at Broadmoor.
Back to top
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
Drumlin Farm's Nature Center has 48 photovoltaic roof panels (7.9 kW), which supply an amount equivalent to 25 percent of the Nature Center's energy needs. Drumlin Farm received a state rebate to assist with the purchase and installation of the panels. Drumlin Farm is demonstrating a solar heating technology called “Solar Wall” on the Pig Barn, has two solar powered trash cans, and added a 10.4 kW photovoltaic array on the Sheep & Goat Barn in December 2010. In 2011 Drumlin Farm opened the Farm Life Center, a state-of-the-art green building and showcase for the principles of green design and construction. The electricity produced by the photovoltaic array on the Sheep & Goat Barn helps to power the all-electric new Farm Life Center, and it is hoped that this electricity will provide the bulk of the energy needs for the Farm Life Center on an annual basis.
Learn more about Green Technology at Drumlin Farm.
Back to top
Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary  A green addition was completed at the Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary's visitor center in 2006. This area is nicknamed “the link building” because the 1,400-square-foot connecting structure links the visitor center with the library, the main program space.
Ample windows, skylights, and glass patio doors allow sunlight to filter into the large space, reducing the need for artificial light. The “link” also features energy-efficient lighting and an all-natural linoleum floor (Marmoleum), made from plant-based raw materials and installed with solvent-free adhesives. Bathrooms feature motion-detector sinks and lights. A waterless urinal in the men's room offers a demonstration of the latest in watersaving technology.
Just outside the addition, large green tanks are part of an environmentally friendly water recovery system used to collect clean rainwater from the roof and store it for irrigation of the sanctuary's formal gardens. The rainwater system can store up to 2,000 gallons of water and benefits the environment in several ways.
In December 2010 Habitat's 9.2 kW ground-mounted photovoltaic array came online. This array provides approximately one third of the annual electricity needs for the sanctuary.
Learn more about Green Technology at Habitat.
Back to top
Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
 One of the numerous green features of Joppa Flat's building is a 60 panel photovoltaic array (9.9 kW).
In 2010 Joppa Flats added a “green” classroom to the nature center for children and family programs and a rainwater catchment system that collects water from the building’s roof and uses it for flushing toilets.
Drivers of electric cars on the North Shore can pull into Joppa Flats Education Center for a free "fill up" at the electric charging station in its parking lot.
Learn more about Green Technology at Joppa Flats.
Back to top
North River - South Shore Wildlife Sanctuary
 North River is doing its part to leave a lighter footprint on the environment by utilizing green technology.
North River created a rain garden, utilized recycled and renewable resources to create a new reception area, and updated heating and hot water systems to be more energy efficient.
Thanks to a NStar Energy Challenge for the Town of Marshfield and funding from MTC (Massachusetts Technology Collaborative), we have installed a 52-panel ground-mounted solar system that will supply 100% of our electrical needs for the offices and maintenance barn.
Learn more about Green Technology at North River - South Shore.
Back to top
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
The 2006 expansion and renovation of Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary's nature center incorporated numerous green building design principles and features.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a system that provides voluntary standards for green buildings. The Wellfleet Bay Nature Center was awarded a Platinum LEED rating from the US Green Building Council, its highest rating. To achieve this highest LEED standard, Mass Audubon used the most advanced roof, window, and ventilation designs to minimize energy consumption. To lessen the building's impact on land and conserve water, we installed a rainwater re-use system, composting toilets, and a graywater bog garden.
A 21.0 kW solar ground array reduces the electricity drawn from the public electric provider, allowing the sanctuary to take a dramatic step toward energy self-reliance.
In the spring of 2010 Wellfleet installed solar thermal systems for the campground, dormitories and nature center to cover all of its domestic hot water needs. A 42.0 kW ground-mounted photovoltaic system was installed in the fall of 2010 to cover another portion of the sanctuary’s electricity needs as the sanctuary strives to produce all of its own electricity from renewable sources over time.
Learn more about Green Technology at Wellfleet Bay.
Back to top
|
