Archbold Biological Station

Front View of the New LEED Certified Building

Field trip!  It's always a class favorite.  Our Master Gardener class traveled to the Archbold Biological Station to learn about  new LEED certified buildings and to view a Florida Friendly landscape.  LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification provides independent,  verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.  The LEED building at Archbold received the highest designation, Platinum.

Hilary Swaine, Executive Director of Archbold

Hilary Swaine, Executive Director of the Station told us about the process and how difficult it was to get the building department to approve the design. This was a first in Highlands County, and much of it is radically different from a usual building.  She persevered, and after four years the project came to fruition. Facts about the building include water harvested from all roofs for a savings of 750,000 gallons, a breezeway through the center of the building to provide cooling and light and a special structure within the breezeway to bounce light into the classrooms to provide natural, balanced light.  Electric lights are seldom needed during daylight hours.  Learn more about this jewel of  Highlands County and the nation here:  Archbold Biological Station
 

 Hillary Swaine and Dee Dee Dilger
January 2013, LEED Opening Ceremony 

Dee Dee followed up with a lesson on Florida Friendly landscaping.  Its nine principle are:
Right plant, right place; water efficiently; fertilize appropriately; mulch; attract wildlife; manage yard pests responsibly; recycle; prevent storm water run-off and protect the waterfront.  Attentive landscape design is critical to meeting those requirements  The University of Florida has excellent publications that can help.  They include ways to change your current landscape to one much easier to maintain and environmentally friendly.  /Florida Friendly Landscape Publications   Here is a great website that can also help.  It includes a Florida Friendly plant database.  Florida Friendly Yards
We went outside then to tour the grounds and see a newly planted Florida Friendly Landscape.

.  Moddie, one of the Master Gardener Trainees is checking out one of the interactive boxes that are around the new Learning Center and Lodge.  A carving of a native plant is on the outside. Inside is information about the plant, and wax is available to make a rubbing of the carving.  In the background is a Florida Friendly Landscape planted with species native to the scrub areas of the State.  The Central Ridge of Florida has been called a wet desert because of its sandy soil and high rainfall amounts.  Hilary told us that many of the native species found here are also indigenous to the Desert Southwest.

On the left is a palmetto that is thousands of years old.  It was preserved as part of the native landscaping around the building.  On the right are two more Master Gardener Trainees, Teresa and Tim enjoying the beautiful day and the FF Landscape.  Irrigation is still in place, but once the plants are are a year old they will  receive only rain as irrigation.

Archbold Biological Station is a truly unique experience.  Many new features are planned including more trails and tours. Art showings in the beautiful new buildings are in the idea stage.  Plein Air artists will find it offers many subjects for their brushes.  Gardeners will be interested in finding ways to use the knowledge gained here to improve their own gardens.  Bird watchers and nature lovers will be at home.  If a family picnic in a beautiful, quiet place is needed to unwind and regroup, it's here.

Volunteers are wanted and opportunities are many.  They include a Welcome and Events Team;  Education Volunteers; Nature Trail Guides; Green Building Guides; History Trail Guides; Native Landscaping Guides, Land Management and Arts and Culture Events. Volunteer information is here Volunteer Opportunities 

Thank you Hilary and Dee for a truly enjoyable and informative day.