Greening Program

The Greening Our Science Centers Initiative is a solutions-based program designed to track, quantify and reduceenergy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.The program offers technical assistance, facility assessments and peer networking. Through this initiative museums, planetariums and aquariums gain a unique opportunity to better “walk the talk” as they develop and implement a Greening Plan that addresses improved operations and the development of educational programs.

The 6 Step Greening Process

• Step 1: Establish Commitment - Engage leadership and create a Green Team.
• Step 2: Research and Preparation - Identify organizational needs, priorities and GHG emissions baseline.
• Step 3: Site Visit - Arrange for a consulting team to visit your science center.
• Step 4: Adopt Plan - Use energy and GHG emissions data to establish targets, specific projects, timetables, and costs.
• Step 5: Implement Plan - Put plan into practice, fund capital projects, track results.
• Step 6: Institutionalize the Greening Process- Sustain, adavnce and leverage your work.

Greening Case Studies

• Audubon
• Christa McAuliffe Planetarium
• Three Aquarium Project

Background:

A true greening program takes a “whole system approach” that goes beyond evaluating energy use and construction plans to developing a green ethic among an institution’s leadership, employees, members and visitors.The Greening Our Science Centers Initiative assists science centers, museums, planetariums and aquariums in using one another’s expertise and experience to develop long-term Greening Plans (sometimes referred to as energy, sustainability or GHG reduction plans).  A combination of technical assistance and peer-mentoring is used to guide the process. About the process ...

Interested in greening your science center? Contact us.

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