Green Features at the Boston Nature Center
Boston Nature Center & Wildlife Sanctuary is doing its part to leave a lighter footprint on the environment by utilizing green technology.
Conserving Energy
- Energy audit performed on the cottages and recommendations implemented
- Additional insulation installed at the cottages and they are airsealed
- Lighting audit performed and all incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent tube lighting have been replaced with LEDs
- Refrigerators are EnergyStar models
- Replaced computer monitors with energy-efficient monitors
- On-site composting and recycling
- Programmable thermostats installed in all heated buildings
- High Efficiency boilers installed in cottages
- Inefficient dehumidifiers have been replaced with EnergyStar models
- Electric-powered property management equipment purchased and in use
Buying Electricity Generated from Renewable Sources
- 100% green electricity purchased from Green Energy Consumers Alliance (New England Wind product) for all electricity not produced on site
Generating Renewable Energy
- 4 photovoltaic arrays (12.2 kW roof mount, 9.8 kW pole mount, 5.3 kW ground mount, 2.7 kW solar roof slates)
- Photovoltaic parking lot lighting
- Solar hot water system
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
- Two Level 2 J1772 connector plugs that are compatible with all makes and models of EV (Tesla owners may need to use an adapter to connect their vehicle).
- Each plug provides about 25 miles for every hour of charging time
- ChargePoint Network
- $0.28 per kWh
Building Green Buildings
- First green municipal building in the City of Boston: The George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center
- Geothermal heating and cooling system
- Energy recovery ventilator
- High performance low emissivity, argon gas filled windows
- Day-lighting and light shelves
- Low volatile organic compounds (VOC) materials and paints
- Lumber from certified forests
- Occupancy sensor controlled lighting
- Daylight sensor to adjust for ambient light
- Recycled and recyclable and local construction materials
- Super-insulated building envelope
- Demonstration green (living) roof on gardener’s shed
- Energy Monitor system to track electric usage of individual electric circuits and equipment
Replacing Vehicles
- One Toyota Prius hybrid purchased
Conserving Water
- 13 dual-flush toilets installed
- 2 composting toilets in garden gazebo
- 2 water bottle filling stations
- EnergyStar/WaterSense dishwashers
- EnergyStar/WaterSense washing machine
- Stormwater management/retention pond
Enhancing Energy Education
- Interpretation of energy and water conservation features and photovoltaic array
- Photovoltaic arrays' electricity production on internet in real time
- Green building tours