Sustainability in Action: Reducing Monocacy National Battlefield’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.

Reducing Energy Consumption

Energy Savings Performance Contract

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

• Installed photovoltaic system of solar panels on the roof of the Visitor Center and maintenance shop.

• Completed light retrofit to LED bulbs throughout the park.

• Installed occupancy sensors and light dimmers in appropriate spaces.

• Replaced oil furnace and window air conditioning units from seasonal quarters with a two ton energy efficient heat pump.

• Installed tankless high-efficiency water heaters.

• Installed a geothermal heat pump for the HVAC system at park headquarters.

These measures will reduce water consumption and energy use, lowering the overall operating costs of the facility. Monocacy National Battlefield expects to reduce their GHG emissions by 29 percent through the ESPC.

Reducing Water Consumption

In an effort to reduce water consumption, Monocacy National Battlefield:

• Reduced the size of the hot-water tank at the maintenance shop.

Installed low-flow faucets and motion sensors in the Visitor Center restrooms.

Reducing Transportation Emissions

To reduce transportation in the park, Monocacy National Battlefield:

• Acquired two hybrid vehicles and a zero-turn mower.

• Upgraded the fleet with higher efficiency vehicles.

• Prohibited bus idling.

• Encourages telework or alternate work schedules when possible.

Reducing Solid Waste

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

• Has operated as a trash-free park for visitors since 2002. When park staff finds waste from visitors in the park, they separate out the recyclables.

• Implemented an internal recycling program that includes glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, batteries, electronics, and light bulbs as well as toner and print cartridges.

• Replaced hand dryers with higher efficiency models to eliminate the waste from paper towels.

• Installed a water refill station to reduce the use of disposable water bottles.

Increasing Climate Change Education Efforts

Education and Outreach

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

• Educating park staff on opportunities for reducing waste within the park.

• Incorporating climate change messages into existing interpretive programs and educating visitors about the use of solar panels at the park.

• Communicating sustainability messages at all employee meetings.

• Incorporating environmental stewardship materials from the Alice Ferguson Foundation into visitor climate change education, and explaining the relevance of mitigating climate change and environmental stewardship.

• Developing educational materials for visitors and park staff.

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