Abby Stocking, the Walker Center’s naturalist, led a small band of attentive USE members around the grounds nearest to Nature House, pointing out native trees and plants as well as environmentally friendly features like a rain garden and rain barrels, multiple bird houses and the pond currently teeming with tadpoles, among others. (I think I’m finally clear about what poison ivy actually looks like! I’ve never been sure.)

She then showed us inside the building itself and indicated the numerous ways energy and water have been conserved using efficient and ecologically beneficial systems throughout. Nature House is LEED Gold certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Our crew asked lots of questions and seemed to learn a good bit while having a good time on a perfectly beautiful day. Our thanks to the Walker Nature Center and Abby Stocking. Thanks also go to Jim Seret, a USE member and Nature House volunteer who set up our tour. Seems we all hope to visit again soon. –K. Bush