Green Features at Long Pasture

Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary is doing its part to leave a lighter footprint on the environment by utilizing green technology.

Conserving Energy

  • Energy efficient structural insulated panels in the roof and walls of Discovery Center save 50% of energy used in conventional construction
  • Air sealing and additional insulation installed in older buildings
  • Energy efficient electric heat pumps and mini splits in Discovery Center
  • High efficiency boiler installed for Parker House
  • Electric point-of-use water heater in Discovery Center 
  • Programmable thermostats installed
  • All appliances replaced with EnergyStar models
  • All incandescent light bulbs have been replaced with LED bulbs
  • All fluorescent tube lighting replaced with LED tube lighting
  • Replaced computer monitors with energy efficient models
  • Electric-powered property management equipment purchased and in use

Buying Electricity Generated from Renewable Sources

  • Long Pasture receives the majority of its electricity from solar net metering, the transfer of excess electricity produced by a large photovoltaic array at Mass Audubon's Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
  • 100% green electricity purchased from Green Energy Consumers Alliance (New England Wind product) for all electricity not produced on site

Generating Renewable Energy

  • Photovoltaic array (1.9 kW roof mount) installed; additional 18kW roof-mounted array on Discovery Center will come online in 2021
  • Solar thermal system installed in the Parker House to meet hot water needs and supply supplemental heat

Conserving Water

  • 6 dual-flush toilets installed
  • EnergyStar dishwasher and washing machine

Enhancing Energy Education

  • Interpretation of energy and water conservation features and photovoltaic array
  • Photovoltaic array electricity production on internet in real time