LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Pine Bush Preserve's Discovery
Center for attaining the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Gold rating

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Pine Bush Preserve's Discovery Center for attaining the Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design Gold rating; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of people visit the Albany Pine Bush Preserve each
year for outdoor recreation, research, nature study and respite; the
Preserve positively and significantly contributes to the quality of life
in the municipalities it crosses and the 3,010 acres of protected Pine
Bush land are a cherished resource to local communities; and
WHEREAS, The Discovery Center is a visible and central location in the
Preserve where people of all ages can go to learn about the natural and
cultural history of the Albany Pine Bush and participate in the many
recreational and volunteer opportunities at the Preserve; outdoor and
indoor interactive exhibits, native plant and butterfly gardens, a
universally accessible "Discovery Trail", participatory greenhouse,
classrooms, and gathering space for Pine Bush Preserve programs teach
the story of the Pine Bush through first-hand experience and discovery-
based learning; and
WHEREAS, On Tuesday February 9, 2010, the Department of Environmental
Conservation announced the Discovery Center received the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating, awarded by the U.S.
Green Building Council; the building, located on New Karner Road, was
once a bank; however, in 2004 the Pine Bush Preserve Commission began
the process of converting the building into an environmentally friendly
learning center; and
WHEREAS, What initially began as an effort to achieve a Basic LEED
level rating, soon, with an energetic design team, turned to a goal of
silver and ended in gold; the New York State Energy Research and Devel-
opment Authority (NYSERDA) provided monetary assistance to help the
center achieve its gold rating; and
WHEREAS, The efforts to achieve the certification began with the
deconstruction of the old bank, and the Center was actually able to
recycle 97 percent of the materials discarded from the building; some of
the material recycled, included wood, metal, wall supports, and 700 tons
of asphalt, which were eventually replaced with native landscaping such
as pitch pines, oak trees, and addition of the discovery trail through
the habitat; and
WHEREAS, After the environmentally frugal deconstruction of the bank,
the center continued its go-green approach in building the new facility;
it added solar panels which provide power to the building and any addi-
tional energy that is needed is bought from a wind farm; among the most
interesting environmentally friendly additions to the facility are the
bathroom facilities which use only one third of a cup of water per
flush; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Pine Bush Preserve's Discovery Center for attaining the

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold rating; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mike Venuti, Director of Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center.