Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Just a 30 minute drive West of Washington, D.C., Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is the only national park dedicated to presenting the performing arts. Well known for its magnificent Filene Center and world-renowned performances, Wolf Trap also provides a natural enclave in the midst of an increasingly urbanized northern Virginia. Less than half of Wolf Trap's land is developed, leaving about 65 acres of woodland, streams, and wetland with a wide variety of plants, animals, birds, and wildflowers. Wolf Trap's natural areas add critical green space in a dense suburb, provide refuges for many species, serve as a migration rest stop for wildlife, and serve as a living biology classroom to the adjacent community.

Emissions

In 2006, Wolf Trap's (the park and foundation combined) GHG emissions totaled 845 metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE). The largest source of Wolf Trap’s emissions is energy, which totaled 534 MTCE.  The majority of these emissions were a result of electricity consumption. The second largest source of GHG emissions was in the waste sector, which contributed 200 MTCE.  Finally, the third largest source was the transportation sector, which contributed 110 MTCE. Transportation sources include both staff operated vehicles and visitor vehicle travel within Wolf Trap’s political boundaries.

Profile

The graph below, taken from our Action Plan, shows our park operations baseline greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2006 broken down into sectors:

Goal

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts has established a vision to be seen as the demonstrated leader among artists, arts presenters, patrons, and the broader community for integrating environmental sustainability into the arts and parks and sharing their expertise through educational programs.

Three principle goals were identified in order to achieve the vision. As this plan focuses on the challenges and opportunities for Wolf Trap to address climate change, both within and beyond its boundaries, all three of these goals will be viewed through a climate change lens. Specifically, all three goals will be viewed as a means to either mitigate the cause of climate change, namely the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, or adapt to its impacts.

Goal 1 – Become carbon neutral
Goal 2 – Achieve zero waste status
Goal 3 – Engage the greater Wolf Trap community in innovative sustainability initiatives

Example Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts Planned Actions

Planned actions are categorized by means of addressing each goal outlined above.  Specific examples of actions include:

1) Become carbon neutral

• Upgrade the Parks Maintenance Building boiler with a more energy efficient model.
• Determine the electricity demand of ground lighting and parking lot lights. Conduct a study that considers the costs/benefits of using photovoltaics for ground and parking lot lighting.  At the same time, make sure the lighting is night sky-friendly—directing the lighting only where needed.
• Stabilize or reduce the size of the park’s vehicle fleet.  Continually revaluate vehicle use to ensure appropriate sizing and operation.

2) Achieve zero waste status

• Establish a set of guidelines to formalize waste prevention strategies into standard practices at the park and Foundation (e.g., water coolers, double-sided printing, reusing garbage bags, separating food waste). 
• Execute a pilot collection and composting program for organic wastes during the summer 2009 season.
• Implement reuse program with the goal of ensuring that a majority of items (e.g., 80% or greater) are reused rather than disposed as trash.

3) Engage the greater Wolf Trap community in innovative sustainability initiatives

• Engage the greater Wolf Trap community in innovative sustainability initiatives.
• Encourage all staff to participate in the Do Your Part! for Climate Friendly Parks survey by 2009.
• Explore options for a wayside exhibit on climate change and Wolf Trap that will be incorporated into the main gate structure.

To read more about what Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is doing about Climate Change with Climate Friendly Parks, check out the Action Plan!