Reinstein Woods Earth-Friendly Building

Complying with a 2001 Executive Order to meet environmental efficiency standards, the new environmental education center at Reinstein Woods is designed to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Clearing of the site began in December of 2005.

The building foundation was poured in March of 2006. The weather was rainy, but warm for Buffalo, so construction continued without any major complications.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood was used in the framing of the building. Interior trim in the building include maple wood from Pennsylvania, and black cherry wood harvested from the site during clearing for the building.

Concrete radiant floors were installed before framing of the building began. The floors use the thermal mass and conductance of concrete to spread heating and cooling and maintain a constant, even temperature. Rather than heating the air, radiant floors warm objects.

Ample windows provide the building with natural light in 75% of its spaces. The ENERGY STAR "Low-E" glass windows minimize the need for artificial lights during the day, while connecting indoor spaces and the outdoors through the light and views.

Environmentally friendly "green" polyiso roof insulation was installed. This insulation contains no ozone depleting hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC's). The roof of the building has an R-value of 30. A typical residential roof has a R-value of 19.

Opened to the public in April, 2007, the Environmental Education Center at Reinstein Woods is a state of the art Earth-Friendly Building. We hope you will be able to stop in and check out some of the hands-on inquiry based exhibits during your next visit to the preserve.

Green building technologies such as motion-sensitive lighting sensors, individual climate controls and highly efficient HVAC systems help conserve energy in our new building. Adhesives, sealants and paints have minimal amounts of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).