Taking advantage of the latest advances and trends in environmentally-friendly construction and design, the Welcome Center employs a number of sustainable strategies, from materials choices to the use of natural light, geothermal heating and cooling, and recycled rainwater.
Platinum LEED Certified
Certified at the highest level by the U.S Green Building Council, this Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building offers both environmental and financial benefits over time. For example:
- The total utility bill is a fraction of the cost of that of a standard building of the same size.
- Because the water won’t puddle, we expect the porous asphalt parking lot to weather longer than standard paving.
- The metal roof should last at least 50 years, unlike a shingled roof which typically lasts 15–20 years.
- After just eight years, the geoexchange system will have paid for itself in energy savings.
Environmental Education
Serving as headquarters for our Environmental Education Services staff, a variety of public programs and field trips for school and scout groups are offered here throughout the year.
Making Waves
A seismic recording station is installed at Ryerson to help research scientists gain a better understanding of our earth’s structure and processes. It's one of 2,000 USArray stations installed across the country as part of the National Science Foundation’s EarthScope initiative.
View recorded activity at the Ryerson station and learn about earthquakes at an information kiosk located in the Welcome Center, or online at Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology.
Welcome Center Hours
Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Restroom only, Mondays.
Closed in observance of the following holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Preserve Hours
The preserve is open from 6:30 a.m. to sunset, daily. |
