Sustainability

Catoctin is one of twenty eight Centers for Environmental Excellence in the National Park System. Catoctin Mountain Park has instituted several sustainable practices at its facilities to improve the environment as well as reduce energy consumption and costs. It has installed energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs, motion-sensor light switches, and vinyl siding, which requires less painting and maintenance. Due to its lighter weight than brick or cement, it requires less fuel and energy to transport it from factory to the construction site. The park has also taken steps to control radon levels and recycle material waste.

To reduce maintenance and replacement costs, Catoctin Mountain Park now uses compact fluorescent screw-in bulbs, which save energy and have a longer life span than incandescent bulbs. In addition, several rooms in park headquarters have been equipped with occupancy-sensor switches that automatically shut off the lights and ceiling fans when the room is unoccupied. Not only does this reduce electricity consumption, but it also makes travel in and out of the mailroom easier for staff who might be carrying boxes and papers. The park has also taken steps to improve park headquarters by installing a radon ventilation system that has reduced radon in the office by 76 percent and efficiently circulates air throughout the building. A truly innovative recycling measure has been to redirect waste heat from refrigeration units into the dining area during the winter months at the Camp Round Meadow Dining Hall, thereby reducing heating costs and energy consumption.

Occupancy-sensor switch

Several housing structures at the park required high maintenance due to the cracking and peeling of paint on the wood siding. When originally built, one structure was sided with asbestos cement shingles, which were common building materials during the 1930s and 1940s that have since been determined to be health hazards. To reduce maintenance and heating and air-conditioning costs, and to extend the life of the houses, the park added extra insulation and fitted the structures with vinyl siding. As an added benefit, the vinyl siding has a cleaner appearance than the old painted wood.

Fluorescent lighting in the Camp Misty Mount Central Shower

Catoctin Mountain Park paved a gravel parking area in the park using recycled asphalt removed from an outdoor education facility also in the park. The millings would have been removed by a paid contractor or disposed of by the park. The millings were placed atop the gravel lot and compressed with a roller. A more stable, level, and permeable parking surface resulted. "With a little green thinking, we made a facility improvement with recycled materials, saved valuable space at the landfill, and saved money as well," says Jim Voigt, Park Resource Manager.

Last, but not least, Catoctin Mountain Park recycles an impressive variety of materials, including metal, plastics, oil, antifreeze, paper, cardboard, glass, lead-acid batteries, scrap iron, tin, and steel. The program helps reduce waste sent to the local landfill and increases reuse of materials in the park.

In 2002, Catoctin Mountain Park staff reviewed grass mowing practices and produced a new mowing plan. Several changes were made which reduced both the amount of area mowed and the frequency of mowing. This has not only saved money and energy, but has also produced several environmental benefits.

Burning less gas in lawn mowers reduces air pollution. And it also reduces the noise level. This is especially important on those red flag ozone action days of summer.

Decreasing the mowing along park roads and in developed areas has promoted more meadow area. Meadow habitat, which is not abundant at Catoctin, is important to birds, butterflies and other insects. It also improves the appearance of the park landscape offering a natural transition to the dominant forest habitat. At Camp Round Meadow, a natural meadow now replaces a lawn area and provides and natural screen and buffer between the camp classroom area and an adjoining maintenance complex.

Cost savings plus environmental benefits from reduced mowing equals an easy win for sustainability!

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