An architect’s rendering of the planned Environmental Learning Center at Drumlin Farm.
Construction on Drumlin Farm’s new Environmental Learning Center has begun. Replacing the 50-year-old Education Building, the ELC and the accompanying outdoor educational pavilion will serve as the hub for environmental education programming, including Drumlin’s summer camp. At 3,700 square feet, the project (funded as part of Drumlin’s capital campaign) will be almost three times the size of the existing structure.
Work is underway to establish the perimeter fence and do initial tree clearing. The trees and plants being removed along Route 117 are mostly non-native, invasive species that were either dead or dying, and Drumlin Farm is ensuring that large, healthy, native trees are preserved where possible. Site work on the new parking lot and foundation will then take place, followed by construction of the building itself. An extensive replanting plan in place with native trees and shrubs for the final landscaping phase of the project next spring.
The installation of a major rooftop solar array to fully power the building will make the ELC a net-zero energy use facility and also offset power consumption of other Drumlin Farm buildings. Completion of the building is expected by June 2018.