Sustainability in Action: Reducing Manassas National Battlefield Park’s Carbon Footprint

The National Park Service is investing $29 million in 81 individual energy efficiency and water conservation projects at national parks throughout the greater Washington region.

NPS / Siemens

Reducing Energy Consumption

Energy Savings Performance Contract

As part of the larger National Capital Region (NCR) Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) project, Manassas National Battlefield Park:

• Installed two solar panel systems on the park headquarters and ranger office buildings.

• Performed a retrofit on main lighting, updating to LED lamps in the Visitor Center and Headquarters.

• Reduced newly installed LED tube lighting based on occupant’s preferences from four bulbs down to two bulbs in the entrance lobby of Headquarters and two offices.

• Insulated park housing.

These measures will reduce water consumption and energy use, lowering the operating costs of the facility. Manassas National Battlefield Park expects to reduce their GHG emissions by 34 percent through the ESPC.

Reducing Water Consumption

In an effort to reduce water consumption, Manassas National Battlefield Park, we installed:

• Low-flow, high efficiency plumbing fixtures.

• Waterless urinals and low-flow toilets in new bathrooms.

• Motion sensors on water faucets.

• Solar-powered well for drinking fountain.

• On-demand hot water heaters in the Maintenance Shop and Headquarters.

Reducing Transportation Emissions

To reduce transportation in the park and beyond, Manassas National Battlefield Park:

• Acquired two hybrid vehicles.

• Eliminated take-home vehicles.

• Reduced mowing area.

• Right-sized their transportation fleet.

• Initiated a no-idling policy.

Reducing Solid Waste

Recycling Program

To help reduce solid waste within the park, Manassas National Battlefield Park:

• Increased the number of recycling bins at the Visitor Center and Headquarters.

• Decreased the number of trashcans park-wide and encourages visitors to take their trash with them.

• Expanded the recycling program within the park, by increasing the types of materials that can be recycled at the park, including batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, electronics, and refrigerants.

• Used recycled lumber for boardwalks.

Increasing Climate Change Education Efforts

Education and Outreach

Manassas National Battlefield Park’s education and outreach efforts are ongoing and extend beyond park staff to include visitors and the local community. These efforts include:

• Educating visitors on actions they can take to reduce emissions at the park and in their daily lives.

• Encouraging visitors to use walking trails to see the park.

• Eliminating idling while in the park.

• Developing signage that highlights the park’s energy reduction efforts, and shares the benefits of low emission vehicles.

• Developing educational materials for visitors and park staff.

• Sending teachers educational materials prior to park visits that explain how students can reduce trash while visiting the park.

• Using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr, and press releases to share environmental messages.
  
  

For more information on Manassas National Battlefield Park, visit www.nps.gov/mana/.