Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Awarded Highest LEED Certification

Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary Receives Top Green Award

Nature Center is Fourth Platinum LEED Building in the State

   The nature center at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. cctoday photo.

LINCOLN, Mass.—The Esther Underwood Johnson Nature Center at Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, has received the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) highest designation for high-performing green buildings. Only three other buildings in the Commonwealth have been awarded the prestigious Platinum-certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) designation.

To achieve this highest 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 to conserve water, a rainwater re-use system, composting toilets, and a graywater garden were installed. Additionally, a 21 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.

“What a tremendous achievement for the Esther Underwood Johnson Nature Center at Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to be awarded the highest LEED designation—one of only four such buildings in Massachusetts to receive Platinum certification,” said Mass Audubon President Laura Johnson. “This is just the latest effort in Mass Audubon’s ongoing sustainability initiative. By conserving energy, supporting renewable energy, and building green, we are reducing our carbon to protect our climate as well as the people and wildlife of Massachusetts.”

“Important lessons were learned along the way,” noted Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Director Bob Prescott. “Our experience was that building green did not take longer and had a comparable cost with using conventional construction methods and materials. What’s more, we now have a superior earth-friendly facility that is less expensive to run, has surfaces that are easy to maintain, and should last longer than a traditional structure. It is a wonderful model for future public building.”

LEED is a third-party certification process developed by the USGBC in cooperation with industry experts. Projects earn points for satisfying green building criteria in each of six categories, including Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Design. The number of points a project earns determines its level of progressive LEED certification, which includes Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Notice of the Platinum-LEED Certification designation was received the same day that Mass Audubon dedicated its self-guided Green Building Trail at the sanctuary. This trail was sponsored by the children of Peter and Betty Fishbein, and includes 12 stops in and around Wellfleet Bay’s nature center. Visitors can explore for themselves the elements that make the building and its surrounding grounds a showcase of sustainable design, construction, and performance.

The award recognizes the dedicated pioneering work done by the entire project team, including architect Andrew Miao, contractor JK Scanlan, project coordinator Nicole Rosa, project supervisor Chris Grant, landscape architect Kris Horiuchi, and Mass Audubon’s Director of Capital Assets Stu Weinreb.

“Important lessons were learned along the way,” noted Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Director Bob Prescott. “Our experience was that building green did not take longer and had a comparable cost with using conventional construction methods and materials. What’s more, we now have a superior earth-friendly facility that is less expensive to run, has surfaces that are easy to maintain, and should last longer than a traditional structure. It is a wonderful model for future public building.”

Learn more about Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary’s special features at its Green Building Blog and the difference between a green building and a high-performance building here.

For more information about Mass Audubon’s commitment to become carbon neutral, visit www.massaudubon.org/cleanenergy.

Release courtesy of  Mass Audubon.

Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 33,000 acres of conservation land, provide educational programs for 200,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at the local, state, and federal levels. Mass Audubon’s mission and actions have expanded since our beginning in 1896 when our founders set out to stop the slaughter of birds for use on women’s fashions. Today we are the largest conservation organization in New England. Our statewide network of 45 wildlife sanctuaries welcomes visitors of all ages and serves as the base for our conservation, education, and advocacy work. To support these important efforts, call 800-AUDUBON (283-8266) or visit www.massaudubon.org.