Fully cognizant of its responsibilities for environmental stewardship, Powdermill has recently undergone a significant expansion and upgrade which includes technologies that are energy efficient, are derived from renewable resources, and that effectively manage wastewater. The building itself serves as an educational exhibit of environmentally sensitive design and construction. New!! Click here for an Online Tour highlighting the sustainable features incorporated into and around the new Headquarters.

Click here to read about Powdermill's partnership with Cavcon Construction. Cavcon worked with the architects and designers in building the new headquarters, to the extent that the project is anticipated to receive a Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. As an example of their commitment to green construction, Cavcon was able to divert over 85% of their construction waste through recycling, using leftover masonry for fill, grinding up wasted gypsum for local farmers to use on their fields, and recycling all wasted wood.

Powdermill takes pride in keeping the reserve in its most natural state, and one approach to reaching this goal is by using sustainable development techniques. In this way, effects on the surrounding environment are taken into account and the most environmentally friendly methods are used. Follow these links for in-depth Online Tours of a few of these approaches:

• New!! When a bigger parking lot and driveway were needed to accommodate the growing number of guests at Powdermill, sustainable techniques were put into action. Nonpoint source pollution, storm water runoff, and sediment erosion have all been reduced as a result. To learn about the Water-permeable Parking Lot project click here, and to learn about the French Mattress Driveway project click here.
• One very interesting and important building component of the new headquarters is the Straw Bale Wall. Click here for a description of the science and the process of this not-so-innovative technique.
• Another exciting component of the nature center expansion is the 2007 Solar Decathlon house, which combines the talents of students from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. After the competition in Washington, D.C., the solar house was transported to Powdermill where it was re-constructed and will serve as an exhibit of the latest in “green” architecture and engineering.

Powdermill will act as a partner for the Engineering Sustainability 2009 Conference that will run April 19-21, 2009 at the University of Pittsburgh.

This focused conference will bring together engineers and scientists from academia, government, industry, and nonprofits to share result of cutting-edge research and practice directed at the development of environmentally sustainable buildings and infrastructure.

Click here for the downloadable Call for Papers (PDF, 710 Kb).

In 2006, Powdermill received a grant to establish a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) lab. A GIS is basically a computerized mapping system that allows for the mapping of spatial data with detailed information in the form of tabular data. There are many familiar examples of GIS including MapQuest and Google Earth.

The goals of the GIS lab are many and include the following:

• Create detailed vegetation maps at a 20m scale
• Map surface water and wetlands
• Map ancillary features such as trapping locations, trails, roads, buildings, etc.
• Create maps for staff and research associates
• Provide GIS support for researchers
• Create a central repository for all data collected on PN

The establishment of a GIS lab at Powdermill will facilitate the creation of an archive of the present ecology of the Reserve and permit the tracking of changes to the Reserve caused by succession, establishment of invasive species, and over-browsing by deer. And,  importantly, it enables informed land management decisions through increased scientific knowledge.

As of January 2007 over 800 vegetation points have been mapped in two of Powdermill's fields. This includes precise geo-referencing of nearly 13,000 trees! During the winter we expect to complete the mapping of streams and wetlands and ancillary features. We have already produced several maps for staff on the Reserve and are currently collaborating with Dr. Todd Katzner at the National Aviary on a project tracking Golden Eagles in eastern North America. (See http://www.aviary.org/csrv/eaglePA.php and click on Track an eagle on its migration route).