Lake County Forest Preserves Leads in Net-Zero Building
As stewards of healthy landscapes and proponents of climate resiliency, officials at the Lake County Forest Preserves (LCFP) altered their Capital Improvement Plan to prioritize and accelerate current net-zero building goals and lead the way for others to do the same.
A net-zero building, also referred to as a zero-energy
building, produces enough renewable energy to meet its own annual energy
consumption requirements, reducing
the use of nonrenewable energy. These buildings use cost-effective measures to
reduce energy usage.
At the Ryerson Conservation Area, in Riverwoods, LCFP planners are currently working with design architects to replace aging classroom cabins with a new net-zero environmental education center. A similar style of building for grounds maintenance at Lakewood Forest Preserve, in Wauconda, is in the design phase.
Alex Ty Kovach, executive director of the LCFP, says, “Focusing on these net-zero building goals is important for the future of the Lake County Forest Preserves and the community in which we serve. We are running out of time to preserve a habitable planet for our children and grandchildren. Now is the perfect time for us to engage in these clean energy projects.”
For more information, visit LCFPD.org.
