Living Light on the Land

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is conserving energy and resources with green building design for the National Wildlife Refuge System and the use of hybrid vehicles on national wildlife refuges and throughout the Service.  Nine Service facilities are Federal Energy Saver Showcases and demonstrate how individuals can reduce their own resources footprint in building design.  Here are a few examples:

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia: Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center recently won two awards for sustainability. 
Contact: Lou Hinds, refuge manager, or Michael Dixon, visitor services manager, 757-336-6122

Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Vermont: The new visitor center at Vermont’s Nulhegan Division is the first U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service building to receive national ENERGY STAR designation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  
Contact: Barry Parrish, refuge manager, 413-548-8002, ext. 113

San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge replaced its standard refuge vehicle with two hybrid compact sport utility vehicles for travel to refuge units throughout the urban San Francisco Bay area.
Contact: Mendel Stewart, refuge manager, 510-792-0222

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Oregon protects indoor air quality by use of low-emission paints and adhesives.  The facility is estimated to use 75 percent less energy than a similar, conventional building.
Contact: Ralph Webber, refuge manager, 503-625-5944