Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today joined State Forester Dan Devlin and other officials in marking the opening of the new Buchanan State Forest headquarters in Fulton County.

The energy efficient building features exhibits that transform the lobby space into an interactive experience for state forest district visitors.

“DCNR manages more than 4,700 buildings within its complex and geographically diverse state park and forest systems, creating many opportunities to deploy energy efficient systems and materials,” Dunn noted at a dedication today. “The green features for the new headquarters for the Buchanan State Forest District are in line with the department’s pledge to use green and sustainable design techniques for all new and renovated building, infrastructure and site projects.”

The secretary’s visit to the Buchanan headquarters kicked off a fall “Driving Toward Sustainability” tour in which DCNR is highlighting the Wolf Administration’s commitment to high-performing, energy efficient buildings today; commitment to efficiency of fleet vehicles by visiting charging stations for the department’s newly added electric vehicles in Harrisburg Thursday; and ending Friday with a visit to Caledonia State Park in Franklin County where a solar array will power lights and hand dryers in a remote bathroom at the park.

At the dedication, Dunn said Pennsylvania also manages state forests using sustainable practices to conserve them for the future, and the new exhibits at the Buchanan center will help tell that story.

“It’s all highlighted in the exhibits -- the unique forest habitat in Buchanan; the impacts of forest pests; forest products; recreation opportunities on public lands; and how DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry works to conserve the Commonwealth’s forests and native plants,” Dunn said.

The facility will be known as the Buchanan Forest District Resource Management Center.

The 9,700-square-foot building serves as the district’s office and support center for forestry programming and operations. It houses the district’s staff of foresters, entomologists, rangers, administrative personnel, and management staff.

The sustainable features of the new building include enhanced daylighting and views; automatic energy control systems for efficiency; landscaping with native plants; and sustainable stormwater management features.

Like many recent DCNR structures, the new Resource Management Center has been designed under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

As one of DCNR’s 19 LEED registered projects, it is anticipated the building will receive LEED certification.

Buchanan State Forest’s more than 71,000 acres occupy upper slopes in the southern portion of the ridge and valley region of Pennsylvania. The district is named in honor of James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States.

The address for the building is 25185 Great Cove Road, McConnellsburg, PA, 17233. The phone number is 717-485-3148.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Photo: New Buchanan State Forest HQ building uses wood pellets for heat, native plantings and rain gardens to help control stormwater runoff.)

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[Posted: Oct. 12, 2017]

10/16/2017