Celebrating Earth Day and Erie County “Green” Attractions
Monday Apr 18th, 2022
Erie County is home to many attractions that are environmentally friendly, or “green.” Through certain guidelines, materials and practices, eco-friendly attractions produce less greenhouse gas emissions making them less harmful and more helpful to the Earth. Discover our region at these green attractions and Earth-Day themed events! (main photo courtesy of Asbury Woods Nature Center)
Presque Isle State Park and TREC
Presque Isle State is a National Natural Landmark with miles of beaches and outdoor recreation. In 2021, Park officials announced a new climate and sustainability plan to bring the Park to net zero energy. The Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) is an educational and research center about Presque Isle. TREC’s green features include a floating floor to hide utilities, renewable resources, plant-based material floors, natural sunshade windows, solar panels and rainwater filters.
Erie Art Museum
The Erie Art Museum’s 2015 building addition was Erie’s first attraction with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, the second-highest level of sustainability achievement according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The museum’s green features include water-efficient fixtures, high competence heating and cooling system and recycled, rapidly renewable, low-emitting and certified construction materials.
Through conservation of natural places, outdoor recreational opportunities, and environmental education experiences, Asbury Woods strives to appreciate and protect natural spaces. The Andrew J. Conner Nature Center was designed with sustainability in mind including a geothermal heating and cooling system, vegetative “living” roof, natural lighting and solar heating.
The Zoo strives to foster a greater sense of awareness, stewardship and conservation of animals and plants. The water systems in some animal exhibits like the Amur Tiger, Amur Leopard and African Lion use recirculated water and the Zoo composts the herbivorous animal waste as well as kitchen scraps from animal diets. Most of their concession products are made from biodegradable or recyclable materials and the Zoo Gift Shop is bag-less.
Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF)
LEAF is a tree museum inside Frontier Park with more than 1,000 trees. They promote environmental wellness for children, families and individuals with educational opportunities and outdoor experiences. LEAF is currently working on a project called ReLeaf, aiming to plant one tree for each citizen of Erie County outside of Frontier Park.
