How a Wisconsin Nature Center is Leading by Example

Aldo Leopold is considered by many to be the father of wildlife ecology.

Now, thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Wisconsin nature center that bears his name will be at the forefront in demonstrating the latest energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to thousands of visitors every year.

The Aldo Leopold Nature Center (ALNC), located near Madison, Wisconsin is using a $500,000 sub-grant from the State of Wisconsin’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant to support the building, equipping and staffing of a LEED-certified, energy self sufficient educational facility. This new facility will double environmental teaching capacity to 60,000 students per year and increase usable space by 11,161 square feet.

“The facility’s expanded focus will be on how we can, all together, take meaningful, sustainable, and effective, and positive action for the benefit of all future generations,” said President and Executive Director Kathe Crowley Conn. “We intend a positive, proactive, and inclusive ‘teaching and learning’ collaboration with dozens of key partners and are very proud to have the support of the U.S. Department of Energy.” – See More Department of Energy Updates