By David McKay and Anthony Fay for WWLP
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – An environmental center in Amherst is being awarded $500,000 from the state for its new home, which is being designed to strict standards only currently met by less than 10 buildings in the entire world.
By Diane Lederman
State officials have awarded an additional $500,000 to the Hitchcock Center for the Environment’s living building project, a 9,000-square-foot building under construction on Hampshire College land.
AMHERST – May 31, 2016 – Continuing its commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for Massachusetts, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced the awarding of $500,000 to the Hitchcock Center for the Environment for the construction of its living building project, which is a 9,000 square foot environmental education center that seeks to meet the “Living Building Challenge” standards. Once completed, the new center, which will become a place where students will be taught complex environmental issues, will need to meet performance standards, such as net zero energy and water, over a twelve month period prior to the education center receiving a full certification. Currently, fewer than ten buildings in the world have become fully certified.
On May 31, 2016, Secretary Matthew Beaton of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and Commissioner Leo Roy of the Department of Conservation and Recreation announced a $500,000 award to the Hitchcock Center for the Environment’s living building project,
By Amy Porter for The Westfield News
RUSSELL – The children at Russell Elementary School have been getting to know their new environment close-up this spring with the help of naturalist Ted Watt and a $5,000 STARS grant (Students and Teachers Working with Artists, Scientists and Scholars) from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Watt is an environmental educator with the Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst. His program helps children and adults understand the unique habitats and ecosystems of New England through hands-on instruction and mentorship.
By Dan Crowley
AMHERST — Leaders of Hampshire County’s arts, culture and tourism industry gave state lawmakers plenty to ponder in two hours of testimony at the University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center on Monday.
New England Public Radio
In the construction industry, the most eco-friendly type of building used to be LEED certified. That’s where buildings get different ratings according to how well they conserve energy and other resources. But today, there’s a higher standard — the Living Building — which is meant to be so green it actually leaves the environment better than it found it.
By Elizabeth Farnsworth for Going Green
Biothon: It’s a rite of Spring in the Pioneer Valley, when nature enthusiasts emerge from their hibernation and scout out the living world around them: Biothon is a great fundraiser for the Hitchcock Center, 525 South Pleasant St., and an entertaining and educational event for all ages.
By Diane Lederman for MassLive
The Hitchcock Center for the Environment has raised $5.1 million for its new center but needs to raise another $700,000 to meet the $5.8 million goal by the time it opens in the fall. “We’re getting very close,” said Executive Director Julie Johnson. “This is the last push. The campaign has had great momentum but the last round of money is the hardest to get.”
By Jim Madigan Connecting Point on WGBY
Priscilla Kane Hellweg from Enchanted Circle Theater in Holyoke and Patty O’Donnell, Environmental Educator at Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst, discuss the “Storm Drain Art” project jointly undertaken using art to educate about the environment.
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Hitchcock Center for the Environment
at Hampshire College
845 West Street | Amherst MA 01002 | 413.256.6006 | 413.253.2809 fax