$30,000 Sun Club donation provides renewable energy to wildlife refuge and wilderness preserve
Pasadena, TX- The Green Mountain Energy™ Sun Club™ is becoming one with nature as its $30,000 donation to the Armand Bayou Nature Center funds a solar array for the wildlife refuge and wilderness preserve. The Nature Center will also receive an accompanying educational display to teach visitors how renewable energy works. The Sun Club is a unique program enabling Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers, including those in Pasadena, to provide solar power to non-profits like the Nature Center.
Armand Bayou Nature Center is a 2,500-acre preserve providing nature education to visitors and preserving the region’s original wetlands, bottomland forest, and tall grass prairies. The solar array will generate electricity for the organization’s new Visitor Center which houses a classroom, library, and laboratory. An educational display will accompany the array to teach students from surrounding districts the importance of solar energy and how environmental stewardship is essential to maintaining the quality of life and economic viability of the community.
“We’ve always appreciated the role of the sun as the energy source for our natural ecosystems and essential to our conservation programs,” said Tom Kartrude, executive director, Armand Bayou Nature Center. “Now it will become an energy source for our human-built systems and part of our environmental education programs, too. Solar just fits with who we are and will allow us to expand our positive impact in the community thanks to this generous donation from the Sun Club.”
The Visitor Center is currently under construction with the goal of achieving LEED certification. The Sun Club solar array will contribute to the points needed for that designation.ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ The role of solar energy in human interactions with the environment will be explained in the Nature Center’s “Hands on History” programs, provided for grades K-7, that routinely examine the various uses of natural resources on the Nature Center’s restored 1900-era farm site.
“The Armand Bayou Nature Center is on a mission to preserve the environment, which makes them a perfect partner for Green Mountain and a worthy recipient of this solar donation,” said Tony Napolillo, Sun Club Program Manager, Green Mountain Energy Company. “Our Sun Club members are committed to that same mission, and this donation is made possible by their generous contributions.”
Pictures from the event will be added to Green Mountain Energy’s Flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenmtnenergy/
Celebrate Earth Month in Houston
While most of the planet celebrates Earth Day only on April 22nd, Green Mountain likes to celebrate the Earth every day. Throughout the month of April we’re celebrating sustainability and energy efficiency with special events in each of our markets. Our month-long conservation activities include online and in-person events in the Houston area, where we’ll be connecting more closely with community members and the environment!
Didn’t think recycling, solar arrays, and renewables could be fun? You haven’t celebrated Earth Month with Green Mountain yet! Learn how to cut your energy use and make sure what you do use is powered by renewable energy by visiting our table at these upcoming Earth Month events:
- Houston Children’s Festival: April 5-6
- Houston International Festival: April 20-21 & 27-28
Declare an eco-champion or energy waster-status by taking our quiz at www.facebook.com/GreenMountainEnergyCompany. Plus, get tips and tricks to reduce energy usage and help the environment by visiting Green Mountain’s Energy Saver Center online at www.greenmountainenergy.com/customer-service-center/energy-saver-center.
Armand Bayou Nature Center
Established in 1974, the nonprofit Armand Bayou Nature Center remains one of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the United States, protecting over 2500 acres of almost vanished native habitats.Over 370 animal species have been reported at the Nature Center, including over 220 different birds.
Armand Bayou Nature Center is located at 8500 Bay Area Blvd. near Red Bluff Road in Pasadena, TX. The Center is open Wednesday through Saturday at 9:00 AM. On Sundays the Center opens at Noon. The last admission is at 4:00 PM. The gates and parking lot close at 5:00 PM. Admission fees are $2 for seniors over 59, $4 for adults, $2 for children 4 to 12, and children under 4 are free. On the third Sunday of every month, admission to the Center is free. Visitors are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for changing weather conditions. More information about Armand Bayou Nature Center is available at www.abnc.org.
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM is a program where Green Mountain residential customers in New York, Pennsylvania and Texas have the opportunity to give back to deserving non-profit organizations through the promotion of solar power. Direct monthly contributions from customers go toward the funding of solar installations. Since the program’s founding in 2002, Sun Club members have helped install more than 500 kilowatts of solar power, preventing over 787,300 pounds of CO2 emissions each year. That’s like not driving 878,500 miles or 390 households turning off their lights for a year. For more information, visit www.gmsunclub.com.
Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain is the nation’s longest-serving renewable energy retailer and believes in using wind, sun and water for good. Founded in 1997, the company is a green power pioneer and celebrates over 15 years delivering on the mission to “change the way power is made.” Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity, as well as carbon offsets and sustainable solutions for businesses. One of Green Mountain’s largest customers is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 19.4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide CO2 emissions. Visit us online at www.GreenMountain.com and learn more about our campaign for good at www.greenmountain.com/forgood.
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