Boston's Building That Teaches
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today joined the Massachusetts Audubon Society in dedicating the George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center on part of the Boston State Hospital site in Mattapan. The Center will serve as the base of operations for the joint Audubon Society and Boston Public Schools environmental studies program, and the starting point for the Wildlife Sanctuary's five miles of nature trails throughout the 65-acre Boston Nature Center Site. "This is a building that teaches on a number of levels," said Mayor Menino. "First, it is where more than 3,700 children from our schools come to learn about nature and science. Second, it shows how being environmentally friendly is also cost effective. Third, it reminds all of us that teamwork and determination can accomplish anything."

In partnership with the Audubon Society and through the George Robert White Fund, the Menino Administration has raised more than $10 million in private, corporate and foundation support to operate and maintain the Boston Nature Center's infrastructure and programs. Boston Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Payzant; Boston Chief of Environmental Services Andrea d'Amato; Laura Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Audubon Society; Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency New England Region; and Boston students joined Mayor Menino at the dedication ceremony.

The new conservation center is part of the Boston Schools Initiative program, which works with over 35 Boston schools, 3,700 school children, and 250 educators to engage students in environmental and nature programs, including an Urban Naturalist Program. The initiative was launched by the Boston Nature Center, with a $2 million grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in September 1999.

"Today marks a stellar achievement in the development of the Boston Nature Center and we are so pleased with the accomplishments that have been achieved thus far," said Johnson. "Massachusetts Audubon is looking forward to continuing partnerships with the City of Boston and its neighboring communities to expand our outreach of environmental conservation, education and advocacy to the local communities and local school systems. We want to express our appreciation to Mayor Menino and the Trustees of the George Robert White Fund for their tremendous commitment and support. This outstanding facility will provide the perfect venue for our nature and science education initiatives."

Hailed as one of Boston's most environmentally friendly buildings, the new center features: photovoltaic roof shingles to generate electricity; solar thermal panels for water heating; geo-thermal heat pumps for earth generated heating and cooling; furniture and carpeting made from recycled material; a site that minimizes environmental impact; and many other "green" features.

"Audubon and the City of Boston have not only turned an abandoned urban space into a valuable resource for the community, they've also created a tremendous example of energy efficient and environmentally friendly building design and construction," said Varney. "It's an example that we hope will serve as a model for all kinds of buildings across New England."

The building was developed through a collaboration of the architectural team of Boston's Primary Group and the nationally renowned Green Building design specialist firm of Steven Winters and Associates of Connecticut. The building was constructed by Peabody Construction.

The George Robert White Fund, established in 1922, is a public charitable trust of the City of Boston.