Energy & Water Conservation and Green Building Initiatives Conservation Innovations May 20, 2011
If not now, when? Fukushima Nuclear Political instability Deep Water Horizons Oil Reactors Spill 2
MASS AUDUBON STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL 3: RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE 3
MASS AUDUBON STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL 3: RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE Objective 1: Lead by Example: Reduce Mass Audubon’s energy consumption and carbon footprint and use these activities as demonstration models for our members and the general public In the Climate Change Position Statement adopted by the Mass Audubon Board in July 2010, the stated target is to reduce Mass Audubon’s aggregate generation of green house gases by 50% by FY 2014 from a base year of FY 2003. The target encompasses Mass Audubon’s carbon footprint from heat, lights and vehicles and includes any new facilities or vehicles added during this period. We estimate that we have achieved approximately a 44% reduction in carbon emissions by the end of FY 2010, with the biggest contribution to this reduction coming from purchasing and producing our own green electricity. 4
Green Building & Energy Initiatives I. Energy Conservation II. Water Conservation III. Renewable (Green) Power Purchasing IV. Renewable Energy Generation V. Vehicles VI. Green Buildings VII. Education VIII. Other Sustainability Efforts IX. Next Steps 5
I. ENERGY CONSERVATION INITIATIVE • Incandescent Bulb Replacement • Refrigerator & Freezer Replacement • Air Conditioner & Dehumidifier Replacement • Computer Equipment Replacement • Energy Audits • Programmable Thermostats • Furnace Replacement • Outdoor Lighting 6
II. WATER CONSERVATION INITIATIVE Progress : • Replaced 130 toilets with 1.6 gallons per flush (or lower gallons per flush) toilets • Replaced 46 toilets with dual flush toilets • Installed 6 waterless urinals • Clivus Multrum composting toilets at Boston Nature Center (gardeners’ pavilion), Broadmoor, Wellfleet Bay and Wildwood • Replaced several washing machines and dishwashers at field sites and replaced Wildwood industrial grade dishwasher • Joppa Flats using rain water to flush toilets 7
III. GREEN POWER PURCHASING Progress: All sites are purchasing green power (power from non- fossil fuel sources). Goal: All Mass Audubon sites purchasing 100% green electricity as of January 1, 2009. Green electricity purchased through National Grid, NStar, and Mass Energy (renewable energy credits ). Goal Completed. 8
IV. RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION • Photovoltaics (PV) • Solar Thermal • Wind Power 9
IV. RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION Photovoltaics (PV) Wellfleet Bay Progress: Completed 30 PV projects (a total 256 kW installed) at Mass Audubon sanctuaries which will produce approximately 30% of Mass Audubon’s annual electric usage and serve as a teaching tool All staffed sanctuaries will have an array to demonstrate to visitors: • Allens Pond – 1.8 kW roof-mounted system • Arcadia – 10.2 kW ground-mounted system • Boston Nature Center – 2.7 kW “Sun Slate” roof -mounted system, 9.9 KW ground-mounted system, and 12.2 kW roof-mounted system • Broad Meadow Brook Nature Center – 9.2 kW roof-mounted system • Broadmoor – 22.2 kW in four roof-mounted systems • Drumlin Farm – 18.3 kW in two roof-mounted systems • Felix Neck – 14.7 kW ground-mounted system • Habitat – 9.2 kW ground-mounted system • Ipswich River – 9.9 kW ground-mounted system 10
IV. RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION Photovoltaics • Joppa Flats – 9.9 kW roof-mounted system Stony Brook • Long Pasture – 1.9 kW roof-mounted system • Moose Hill – 18.0 kW in three roof-mounted systems • North River – 9.4 kW ground-mounted system • Oak Knoll – 4.0 kW ground-mounted system • Pleasant Valley – 4.8 kW ground-mounted system • Stony Brook – 5.3 kW roof-mounted system • Visual Arts Center – 9.7 kW in two roof- and ground-mounted systems • Wachusett Meadow – 11.0 in two roof- and ground-mounted systems • Wellfleet Bay – 62.1 kW in three roof- and ground-mounted systems 11
IV. RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION: Photovoltaics Drumlin Farm Broadmoor 12 Ipswich River Visual Arts Center
V. VEHICLES • Mass Audubon has 71 vehicles: • 10 sedans • 23 vans • 2 SUV’s • 34 pick up trucks • 2 heavy trucks • Purchased seven Prius hybrids as replacements for existing sedans and station wagons • 10 GEM small electric vehicles (similar to golf carts) were donated for maintenance purposes • Examining how to reduce miles driven and awaiting vehicles with better miles per gallon in the classes of vehicles we need 13
VI. GREEN BUILDINGS Mass Audubon is committed to the concept and practice of green building, and will apply the concepts of green building to all new buildings, building additions, building renovations, and site improvements. What is a Green Building? Green buildings are generally characterized by the following: • sustainable site development • water savings • energy efficiency • responsible materials selection • indoor environmental quality 14
VII. CLEAN ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION EDUCATION AT MASS AUDUBON 1) Thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, we completed the following clean energy and education goals • Produced and distributed an interpretive photovoltaic brochure entitled Clean Green • Enhanced Mass Audubon’s clean energy website http://www.massaudubon.org/renewableenergy/index.php • Installed interpretive signage at sites with photovoltaic arrays • Installed computer monitors at several sites with photovoltaic arrays that allows visitors to see real time production • Installed an interactive solar sculpture at Drumlin Farm 15
2) Many Mass Audubon sanctuaries are providing education programs related to sustainability, clean energy, and climate change 3) Interpretive green trails have been established at the Boston Nature Center, Broadmoor, Drumlin Farm, and Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuaries 4) Green labels being installed at many sanctuaries to interpret energy and water conservation efforts and features. 16
4) Working to install data acquisition systems for all remaining photovoltaic arrays not covered by initial grant in order to show real time electric production to sanctuary (at select sites) and web visitors 17
Aggregate Mass Audubon Carbon Emissions FY 2003 - FY 2010 3500 3000 Thousands of Pounds of CO2 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Fiscal Year 18
VIII. OTHER SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS • Paperless paychecks for all regular staff • Recycling programs at most sites • Composting • Community Supported Agriculture and community gardens • Reducing use of bottled water • Installing bottle filling stations at some sanctuaries • Reducing paper use throughout organization 19
IX. WHAT COMES NEXT? Strategic Goal 3 RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE: Objective 2: Educate our members about their ecological footprint and assist them in obtaining the knowledge and tools to “live lighter on the land”. Objective 3: Advocate for state and national public policy initiatives regarding climate change and assess proposals for renewable energy development in Massachusetts that establish significant policy precedents. 20
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