Being Green at Drumlin Farm

Energy conservation and sustainable living are critically important to Mass Audubon and Drumlin Farm, whether it is something large scale like the 100% sustainable electricity that we use to power our buildings or something as simple as the rocks in our welcome area, which were “recycled” into seating areas during the creation of the Nature Center. Understanding and minimizing our impact on the environment is part of every decision we make. Here are some examples of how Drumlin has incorporated these ideals.

Solar

  • The photovoltaic panels on the roof of our Nature Center generate electricity equivalent to 22% of the building’s needs. There are 48 photovoltaic modules with an output of approximately 9,750 kWh of power per year. The energy savings of the Nature Center panels is equivalent to planting 1058 trees or avoiding 247,884 miles of driving, which will prevent 226,615 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere over 25 years!
  • P1100732The Pig Barn has a Solar Wall, which helps to keep the barn warm in the winter. The sun warms the metal surface of this solar wall, creating a thin layer of air that is 5 to 30˚F warmer than the outside temperature. A fan pulls the warmed air into the building, reducing heating costs and providing ventilation.
  • The photovoltaic array at the Farm Life Center generates electricity to accommodate the complete needs of the building – heating, cooling, lighting, and utility power. On sunny days, unneeded power is directed into the regional electricity grid. On cloudy days, we draw from the grid. Over the course of a year, the system is about net zero.

Water

  • 6.18.09 022Earthen beams behind the Poultry House prevent manure-laden runoff water from reaching the Poultry Pond, and filtering plants absorb extra nutrients as the water flows by to prevent water pollution.
  • We never irrigate our crops. We avoid energy-intensive irrigation systems by cultivating healthy soils through our growing methods, such as rotating crops and letting fields lie fallow.
  • Our bathrooms use a dual flush system to minimize the amount of water used per flush.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

  • Our beds in the Learning Garden are made from 100% recycled HDPE plastic (#2 milk bottles). These garden beds are used for camps and other programs to grow many of the same vegetables we grow on Boyce field.
  • By M. Kheyfetz ok to use 8.27.08 (45)Composting is a big part of our farming operation. Beneficial bacteria break down plant and vegetable scraps into a natural fertilizer called compost. Spreading compost on our garden beds and fields also reduces water usage by holding moisture in the soil. Boyce Field has a large compost pile that recycles all of the farm animal waste, contributing to the incredible richness of the soil.
  • The roof shingles on the Poultry House are made from recycled rubber tires. Rubber shingles are more durable than traditional asphalt and make good use of discarded material.

Advocacy

bottlebilllogoDrumlin Farm supports passing Question 2 on November 4 to update the Bottle Bill! Currently, 80% of bottles with a 5 cent deposit are recycled, while only 23% of non-deposit bottles, such as water, iced tea and sports drinks, are recycled. Those bottles end up as litter in our parks and trash in our landfills. The updated Bottle Bill will add the deposit to those bottles to encourage recycling and make a cleaner, greener Massachusetts. Find the facts and spread the word—Yes on 2!

This is only a small sampling of our sustainable initiatives, but hopefully it gives you some ideas on things you can do at home or your own workplace to help preserve the nature of Massachusetts.

Want to know more about Drumlin Farm’s green features? Come to Green Fest on October 13! We will have games, crafts, and fun activities around sustainable living. You’ll see—it’s easy being green!

2 thoughts on “Being Green at Drumlin Farm

  1. Dan Archibald

    Great stuff! I’m particularly interested in your irrigation-free farming, and I’d love to hear more about it. I assume you water in transplants; do you do any other hand-watering? (I remember hearing once at the farm that you pick your transplanting days to minimize watering needs, but if the weather doesn’t cooperate?).

    And overall thanks so much for your great example and education!

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