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Unveiling the Conservation Barn

Posted Wednesday, November 13, 2024
— News

 

As our team continues to grow and evolve, so have our needs for a workspace that can keep up with us. That’s why we’re delighted to announce the completion of our newly constructed Conservation Barn.

In the same way you look at a tank top that’s been buried in your closet since the 90s (I’m sure it looked great on you), we’ll look back at our office – a renovated farmhouse built in the 1770s – in a few months’ time and ask ourselves: How on earth did we fit in that thing?

Our current office, a charming home in which Mount Grace has frugally grown-up in, comes with its quirks: Zoom calls filled with background chatter, closets repurposed as offices, tables that aren’t big enough for meetings, and a congested, all-in-one entrance space for that gets used for meetings, meals, bathrooms and breaks. Our fridge, packed with leftover beer and wine from past events, refuses to close.

The new office space is designed to support our growing team and enhance our capacity to tackle regional challenges related to development, biodiversity loss, and climate change. With added collaborative workspaces and expanded meeting areas, we are better equipped to advance our mission.

Before we share with you the exciting features of our new office, we want to extend our gratitude to Architect Tom Chalmers and builders Kyle and Keith Dodge of Dodge Contracting for bringing Tom’s vision to life. Most of the funding for this project came from our Land Forever Campaign. With that said, sit back, relax, and enjoy this virtual tour of our new office.

An aerial photograph of the newly constructed barn and ADA-accessible path from the parking area.

What’s going to be in the Conservation Barn?

The Conservation Barn will feature three offices, a kitchenette, two bathrooms, storage space, and a large conference room that will double as an events space. Leading up to the building from our Skyfields Arboretum parking area is a newly paved ADA-accessible walkway that wraps around the building.

A covered walkway connects the new Conservation Barn with our main office – a feature that also enables wheelchair access.

Photograph showcasing Conservation Barn’s kitchenette, two new offices and a lofted storage space above.

Low-Carbon Footprint Features of the New Building

  1. The Barn features locally harvested and milled timber – much of which comes directly from the lands we conserve:
    1. Some of the exterior paneling is ash that was cut down right here at Skyfields.
    2. The large posts and beams used to create a covered walkway between the new and old offices are constructed from locally harvested oak.
    3. The beautiful live-edge trim along the windowsills in every room comes from locally sourced black walnut.
  2. South-facing solar installation:
    1. Our conservation barn will feature a full solar array on the southern facing roof. These solar panels will be installed later this month.
  3. Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling:
    1. Each new office features a mini split system, which allows us to control the temperature of individual rooms, so as not to waste electricity by heating or cooling rooms that aren’t in use.

All made possible thanks to supporters like you

This major project would not have been possible without your continued support. As we expand capacity, we aim to better serve all our communities and further leverage every dollar that we bring in. We’d love for you to stop by and visit our new building in the coming year!