The Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia has been recognized as a Federal Energy Saver Showcase by the U.S. Department of the Interiors Federal Energy Management Program. Representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accepted the award for the centers energy efficient design last week at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., according to Richard O. Bennett, Ph.D., acting northeast regional director for the Service.
"The Bateman Center exemplifies the Services commitment to conserving natural resources," said Bennett. "Weve cut in half our consumption of fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources to run the facility by using solar power, minimizing water use and employing other environmentally sound technologies."
Engineers tapped into the earths natural energy to regulate the temperature in the center. Seventy-two wells were drilled to a depth of 250 feet where the earths temperature remains a constant 55 degrees. A system makes use of this geothermal energy to either heat or cool the buildings.
The center expects to save 2 million gallons of water each year, said Bennett, through the use of low-flow and waterless restroom fixtures, and a system that recycles wastewater.
Recycled products and those made from renewable natural resources were used as much as possible in constructing the center. Materials used in the floors include recycled rubber tires, and cork and bamboo, two plant species that rapidly regenerate. The ceiling beams are made from byproducts from the wood processing industry that, when pressed together, are stronger than standard lumber. The carpet is recycled and contains no petroleum products.
The building design maximizes the use of natural light. The windows are energy efficient and are positioned to offer daylight and scenic views throughout 90 percent of the center.
In keeping with its conservation mission, the Service also designed the center to minimize its impact on fish and wildlife resources at the refuge. The buildings are located on a part of the refuge that was already disturbed. Additionally, the plants used in landscaping are all native to Assateague and provide important food and shelter to its wildlife.
The Bateman Center was dedicated on Oct. 25 as part of National Wildlife Refuge Week and the centennial of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It houses exhibits, an auditorium, classrooms and other visitor services, as well as the administrative offices for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The refuges coastal habitats attract a large number and diversity of birds, several threatened or endangered species, and other animals and plants native to the area. More than 1.5 million people visit the refuge each year to participate in programs and to enjoy other wildlife-dependent activities.
The Federal Energy Management Program annually recognizes individuals and agencies who have shown outstanding leadership in saving energy, conserving water and applying energy-efficient technologies at federal facilities.
Service employees accepting the Federal Energy Saver Showcase award included Thomas P. Roster, deputy refuge manager of the refuge; Kurt Otting, regional energy manager; Susan McMahon, deputy chief for the National Wildlife Refuge System in the Northeast; and James Kurth, deputy chief for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses nearly 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations,restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitats such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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