Parker River Refuge Garners National Energy Award
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Acceptance Award
– USFWS photo |
The 21,000-square-foot Visitor
Center and Administrative Headquarters of Parker River National
Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, MA, was named on Oct. 28 an energy
saver showcase facility by the Federal Energy Management Program
for its exemplary "green building" design and energy conservation
innovations.
The building, which took nearly two years to complete, incorporates
recycled building materials and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
building materials, including engineered wood, plastic lumber,
linoleum flooring, fiberboard and sheet rock, exterior decking,
tile, deck piers. All use a high percent of recycled material.
Additionally, a non-hazardous preservative was applied to exterior
wood surfaces. Water conservation technology is evident throughout
the building. For example, roof runoff is redirected to recharge
the groundwater. Low-flush toilets were installed. In all, water
savings will add up to 500,000 gallons per year.
A geothermal heat exchange system for heating and cooling –
supplemented by other systems, such as high efficiency lighting
with self-adjusting dimmers, among others – will reduce energy
use by 41 percent as compared to a traditional office building.
Special care was taken to restore disturbed land to natural habitats
of wetland, field, woods, and coastal areas. Native species of
trees, shrubs, forbs and grasses were planted.
The first phase of a three-acre wetland restoration project surrounding
one side of the building will start in mid-2005. A bridge spanning
the wetland area will be built in the spring.
"So many people have been part of this project," said Parker River
Refuge Manager Janet Kennedy. "We have gotten tremendous support
from our elected officials, our Friends group and our community.
Our green-ness shows that we put on the ground the natural resource
conservation concepts that are so well associated with the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service."
Only the administrative offices are now open. The Visitor Center
will open in Summer 2005, eventually providing classrooms for
environmental education, a viewing deck for visitors, as well
as an array of exhibits to help people connect with the habitats
they experience on the refuge.
"We hope the exhibits will teach people that the wonders they
see on the refuge are dependent on healthy and protected habitat,"
said Ms. Kennedy. We want to show them how they can help protect
the wildlife they so love."
Established in 1942, the 4,662-acre wildlife refuge is about 35
miles south of Boston and covers a great deal of southern Plum
Island, an 8-mile-long barrier island. Located along the Atlantic
Flyway, the refuge is renowned for the waterfowl, shorebirds and
songbirds that wing through the refuge during migratory periods.
Photographers often visit the refuge.
The Hellcat Interpretive Trail offers an easy walk through the
refuge's natural history. Observation towers and platforms afford
commanding views, while several miles of foot trails meander through
dune, marsh and other refuge habitats. Some facilities –
including the new Visitor Center and Administrative Headquarters
– are wheelchair accessible.
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