Ceremonial Plaque Unveiled during Annual Outdoors Day Celebration

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center Visitor Center Complex, which consists of the Visitor Center and Guided School Program Building in Delmar, New York, is the agency’s first Platinum LEED-certified building. The U.S. Green Building Council certification, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), is a point-based system that provides environmentally friendly opportunities to select sustainable and low-impact materials during construction and building operations. The LEED Platinum plaque was unveiled at Five Rivers Center today as part of New York’s statewide “Outdoors Day” celebrations.

DEC Commissioner Seggos said, “The Five Rivers Visitor Center Complex is not only beautiful, it was designed and built with sustainability in mind. This building is the brick and mortar manifestation of DEC’s commitment to sustainable building and operating practices. We applaud Envision Architects for their design work and our partners at the New York State Office of General Services for managing the construction of the Visitor Center. We welcome visitors to check out Five Rivers’ green features, inside and out.”

The Five Rivers Visitor Center and adjacent Guided School Program Building are connected by an outdoor classroom. The center was dedicated in June 2017. The adjacent Wendy Repass Suozzo Guided School Program building was completed in June 2012.

OGS Commissioner RoAnn Destito said, “Having the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center Visitor Center certified as a Platinum LEED building proves that when State agencies such as OGS and DEC work together they can accomplish great things for the people of New York. Everyone who was involved in making the eco-friendly Visitor Center eligible for Platinum LEED certification should be very proud of what they have achieved.”

Kelly Klopfer, Principal, ENVISION Architects DPC, said, “Our team at ENVISION is thrilled and humbled to have had the opportunity to work on such an important project for the State of New York.  The Visitor Center’s impact on the stewardship of our environment will inspire visitors for decades to come and we are so proud to have designed this gem of a project and to have brought it to life for the people who visit and are fulfilled by the Center’s memorable visitor experience. We feel fortunate to have collaborated with clients such as DEC, OGS and the Governor’s Office who share a passionate vision for these special places. Designing to LEED Platinum is an exceptional accomplishment for all involved and the Visitor’s Center will serve as an exemplary model of sustainable design.”

Tracie Hall, Director, New York Upstate, U.S. Green Building Council, said, "The mission of NYS DEC 'to conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources and environment...to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people,' embraces the all the goals of the LEED ®(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™.  The LEED® Platinum Five Rivers Environmental Education Center epitomizes the vision of U.S. Green Building Council by providing a facility that educates and celebrates all that green building means,” according to Tracie Hall, Director, New York Upstate, U.S. Green Building Council.  “Five Rivers showcases strategies that lead to high-performance in human and environmental health, including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.”

The Visitor Center and Guided School Program buildings’ green features are interpreted throughout the visitor center and outside exhibits. Trees harvested at Five Rivers serve as support columns for both buildings. Highly efficient geothermal wells heat and cool both buildings, cutting energy costs by 66 percent. The center features all LED lighting to reduce lighting energy and daylight harvesting lighting controls dim or turn off lights when adequate sunlight is present. Bird-friendly glass in the exhibit hall is highly visible to birds yet nearly invisible to humans, reducing collisions.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood was used for all beams, structural insulated panels, and siding. FSC certifies forests that uphold principles and criteria that bring the highest social and environmental benefits. Low-volatile organic compound paint was used on all treated surfaces. Skylights and window orientation allow maximum use of daylight and open automatically to allow for natural ventilation.

The green features continue outside. The overhang of the roof allows low sun in winter to help heat the building and shades high sun in the summer to keep it cooler. The sedum green roof’s photovoltaic panels provide electricity and the passive solar system provides hot water. The project offsets more than 30 percent of the buildings’ electricity costs with on-site solar panels. Rainwater is collected from the roof and used to flush toilets.

Simple landscaping features, called rain gardens and bioswales, are used to slow, collect, and filter stormwater around the parking lots and near the Visitor Center Complex. All plants used in landscaping are native to the area.

The original visitor center was moved to Five Rivers in the late 1960s. When it was removed, 92 percent of the resulting construction waste was recycled. 

Outdoors Day events statewide are part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Adventure NY initiative to connect people to nature and provide increased access to outdoor recreation through hands-on activities. Visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/113704.html for the listing of DEC and State Parks sites hosting for Outdoors Day activities on June 9.

DEC invites visitors to explore Five Rivers’ local fields, ponds, forests, birds, and history through interactive displays and exhibits. The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and closed on Sundays and State holidays. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center is located at 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054.

Visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html for more information on Five Rivers and Adventure NY.