Hartley Nature Center's New Green Interpretive Center

After an extensive capital campaign the Hartley Nature Center’s brand new Interpretive Center opened summer of 2003. The Interpretative Center incorporates the use of green technologies in the construction and site selection.

The Hartley Nature Center is located outside of a delineated wetlands area on old pasturelands, which were heavily invaded by non-native tansy. The Center was built on a south-facing slope, which has provided the Center great exposure to sunlight. This access to sunlight enables the center to have passive solar features, natural lighting, ground source heat pumps, and solar walls.

There are solar panels mounted on the roof, capable of producing 11.8 kilowatts of electrical power. The system is connected to Minnesota Power’s grid, and the excess electricity generated is bought by the utility.

In addition to using renewable energy technologies, the Hartley Nature Center has used energy conservation methods to decrease total energy use. The building has insulated concrete forms, heat recovery ventilation, and energy system sensors that track energy use as well as energy produced by the solar panels.

On top of providing renewable energy and energy conservation methods, the nature center also used sustainable and environmentally preferable building materials such as, 100% recycled content roof shingles, recycled content ceiling tiles, forest stewardship council certified wood, recycled content carpet tiles, recycled latex paint, natural-based wood glaze and non-PVC materials. The Center constructed a pervious paving system on the walkways to allow storm water to percolate into the ground.

Funding for the nature center facility comes from a State of Minnesota matching grant, City of Duluth and St. Louis County grants and contributions from private sources.

The Hartley Nature Center is no longer just a nature center; it is a demonstration facility with great resources for various renewable and sustainable building features.

Contact: Bill Maier
bmaier.hnc@duluth.com
3001 Woodland Ave.
Duluth, MN 55803
218-724-6735
www.hartleynature.org