River Legacy Living Science Center - Arlington, TX

RIVER LEGACY PARK & LIVING SCIENCE CENTER

River Legacy Living Science Center - Main Gallery

Sustainable Design

The following information is taken from River Legacy's website:

"A simple fortress of fallen leaves and broken tree limbs, crafted by the creative hands of children, served as the inspiration for the Living Science Center.

We developed the 12,000-square-foot center with the specific objective of minimizing the impact on the environment. To that end, the Center itself is a fascinating study of architecture, conservation and sustainable design.

• Three enormous red oak trees provide structural support for the roof of the building. The trees were salvaged from a city of Arlington street-widening project.
• The entrance drive was carefully routed to avoid trees and to minimize paving and vegetative disturbance.
• The parking lot is constructed of porous pavers that allow air and water to recharge the soil.
• Walkways are made of decomposed granite with an organic resin that makes them firm yet pervious to air and water.
• Restroom walls consist of tiles made from recycled crushed windshields.
• The building’s carpet is woven of fibers that may be continually recycled.
• The Center uses a gray-water system of plumbing. The underground system captures the runoff from drinking fountains and sink materials; then stores, treats and recycles it for use in the landscaped areas complementing the structure.
• Agrosoke, a naturally occurring moisture retention gel, acts as a water reservoir when added to bed and lawn soils."

Anne Alderfer - Naturalist

Our tour began with an introduction to the Living Science Center by our guide and Naturalist, Anne Alderfer.  The center has displays that discuss the vision of the architect who designed the building (Edward M. Jones) as well as samples of the materials and methods incorporated into it's construction.

(left) Anne provided us information about the local native plants along the path.  We stopped here to look at an American Elm tree that was riddled with holes created by Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers.  A native bird that pecks holes in the bark of the trees to cause sap to flow.  The bird returns later to consume the sap along with any unsuspecting insects that might have been trapped by the sticky substance.  The large number of holes indicated that the tree, however large, was under stress or diseased.

We learned about how non-indigenous plants like the Chinese Privet (right) are invading natural areas and pushing out native plant species like Virginia Wild Rice and Inland Sea Oats.  Notice how droopy plant's leaves are.  We saw a lot of this due to the extended drought conditions and high heat in this area.  Many plants in the park are being streessed by the lack of water.

 (left) A Cooper's Hawk's nest sits empty.  The pair of hawks that migrate here annually have raised their chicks and have headed to other hunting grounds  This nest is a short walk from the Living Science Center and a great place to bird watch when the hawks are here.  River Legacy Parks are home to more than 225 bird species.

(right) Anne points out a spot on the base of a large oak tree that has started to decay.  This scar was caused by heavy equipment striking the tree during the creation of the park.  It takes years for damage like this to become apparent.  This majestic tree will not last many more years before it falls and it added to the decomposing matter on the forest floor.  It will become food for future generations of plants and animals.

For more information about River Legacy Parks or the Living Science Center click here:
http://www.riverlegacy.org/