The roof may be red, but the new lab is Blandy's first "green" building.

New Lab is First Green Building at Blandy

By Dave Carr

Director, Blandy Experimental Farm

A new laboratory building now under construction is the first LEED-certified "green" building at Blandy Experimental Farm.

Seven billion people rely on the earth to provide resources and life-sustaining processes, and that number is projected to reach eight billion in just 15 years.  The world's long-term physical and economic health depends on the efficient use of resources and the preservation of ecosystem services in the face of an ever increasing demand.  This reality is affecting every aspect of our lives, from the way our food is being grown, to how we light and heat our homes, to the way we transport ourselves around town and around the globe.  The goal of improving sustainability has also led to important changes in our approach to the creation of the places where we live and work.

The United States Green Building Council has been working toward generating industry consensus on the most sustainable practices for building construction.  The USGBC has developed a framework they call "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) to guide architects, contractors, and owners in developing a human-built landscape that reduces both the short-term and long-term environmental impact of construction.  LEED certification has become an industry standard for sustainable design, and the University of Virginia is incorporating these principles into their own construction projects, attaining their first LEED certification in 2010 with the completion of an addition to the Printing and Copying Services building.  The new Field Lab will be the first LEED certified building at Blandy.

When imagining a "green" building, many people might first think of things like solar panels or wind turbines.  While incorporating renewable energy into a design is a great way to reduce the long-term environmental impact of a building, it is by no means the only way to improve sustainability.  There are many cost-effective design and construction features that can be incorporated into a building project to reduce the overall environmental footprint, and the Field Lab project uses a wide variety of approaches.

Sustainable design starts with decisions about where to build, with a priority given to siting new structures near existing development to minimize sprawl and the destruction of natural habitat.  That was one of the important criteria for site selection of the lab within Blandy's developed core where most activity already takes place.  Design elements that conserve energy and water are among the most effective ways to reduce impact, and the HVAC, lighting, and other operating systems in the Lab will reduce energy consumption by 22% relative to a traditional design.

Smart decisions about the selection and management of construction materials can also greatly improve sustainability.  Materials used in the lab are evaluated based on their recycled content and whether they come from local sources.  One of my favorite examples is that much of the fill needed for the site preparation came from the rubble of the old Center Cinema in Winchester.  Our general contractor, Lantz Construction, improves our resource use efficiency by ensuring that over 75% of the construction waste generated on site will be recycled.  Less waste means lower net natural resource consumption and less landfill space.

LEED guidelines also evaluate the effect of the built environment on the people inside the building.  They emphasize the use of adhesives, paints, and flooring that have low volatile emissions to enhance indoor air quality.  The big windows along the south side of the building will provide a great deal of desirable natural light, and the open feel they provide should contribute to a comfortable work environment.  Outside, the building guidelines emphasize landscaping with native plants that reduce the need for irrigation and provide a basis of support for wildlife.

LEED certification involves a scoring system, with points awarded for the various sustainable design and construction elements of a project.  Scoring is evaluated by third-party verification to ensure that the building performs as designed.  The system requires 40 points for minimum certification, and 80 points are needed to achieve a "Platinum" rating.  The Field Lab is designed to earn no fewer than 52 points, which we expect will earn us a "Silver" designation.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the serious and complex environmental challenges facing a world of over seven billion people, but many of the solutions to these problems start with the billions of small decisions made every day by ordinary people around the world.  Blandy's mission of increasing understanding of the natural environment through research and education confers on us a special responsibility for working toward solutions.  The new Field Lab is intended as a tool for new discovery and to train the next generation of environmental scientists, but it is also intended to represent a more enlightened approach for the way in which we humans interact with the environment.

Allie Munsey, Aida Rivera, and Jake Skeith from Panera Bread present an oversized check to FOSA President Bruce Downing along with FOSA Director Martha Bjelland and FOSA Events and Volunteer Coordinator Koy Mislowsky.   Dear Panera Bread: Thanks for the 'Dough'

By Koy Mislowsky

Events & Volunteer Coordinator

In February of last year, FOSA and the Panera cafés in Winchester and Warrenton kicked off a new partnership called Operation Dough-Nation.  Operation Dough-Nation is a unique program in which Panera selects a nonprofit organization to be featured on the collection boxes that can be found on counters in their cafés.  FOSA was chosen to receive these donations for 2011, and the two cafés accepted donations for the Foundation during the past year.  Last month, Allie Munsey, Panera's Marketing Coordinator, presented us with a check for $1600.  FOSA has also been selected to receive the "Dough-Nations" for 2012. 

Panera has been partnering with the Foundation for the past three years by providing lunch for our volunteers at Garden Fair.  This year they will be a vendor at our Mother's Day event so plan to have lunch while you shop!

Thanks for the "Dough" Panera!

 Young Naturalists Explore Arboretum

The Young Naturalist group, led by Program Presenter Lillian Ledford, makes a discovery during the Mammals & Birds Young Naturalist program.  Although the winter has been dry and mild, that Saturday brought wind-driven snow and even hail.

Blandy's spring public programs will range widely, both in space and time.  We begin with planting tips and advice on caring for your gardens and tools, and we end with a presentation on America's old-growth forests.

In between we'll explore Blandy under the full moon, take a photographic journey through Shenandoah National Park, get an update on the region's diverse amphibian life, and lots more.

With such a variety of illustrated talks, hands-on workshops, field trips, and more, there should be something here for everyone.  Check the schedule below and mark your calendars.  Some programs have strict limits on numbers of participants, so register soon!

Blandy Sketch Group Hosts Show in Berryville

Members of the Blandy Sketch Group are displaying their talents in an art show at the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville through May 12.

According to Sketch Group President Walta Warren, nearly 100 artworks including watercolors, oils, acrylics, ceramic tiles, and mixed media are included.

All of the works feature the natural environment, with many capturing scenes of the Arboretum. An opening reception March 18 drew praise and offered the chance for the public to meet the artists.

The Blandy Sketch Group meets at 1 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Blandy. Annual dues are $10. For membership information email  Walta Warren at parisoriginals@aol.com.

For hours or directions to the Barns, call 540-955-2004.