We Tread Lightly

CGC has made a commitment to build and run our facility in harmony with our natural surroundings, leaving the smallest possible footprint.

  • Our facility's design emphasizes passive solar, natural light, and natural cooling.

  • Buildings are clustered by the edge of fields to preserve open spaces.
  • We use renewable energy for electricity - solar panels provide 100% of our power!
  • We conserve energy – with efficient appliances, well-designed systems and  extra insulation.
  • Renovated barns house our programs. Recycled doors, windows, and equipment add to our facility's charm.
  • We use building materials found on site - lumber from our woods, stone deposited by glaciers (a while ago, to be sure)
  • Sprinkled throughout the property are small projects that exemplify green construction:

1. a straw bale cabin, with natural insulation to keep you cool in the summer

2. a composting toilet outhouse that uses no water to remove waste

3. an outdoor, wood-fired brick oven, that takes the heat out of the kitchen, uses renewable fuel - and makes great pizza

As our facility evolves, we continue to make sustainable design choices. We are currently building a new Eco-Lodge. Please click here to read about the Eco-Lodge, its progress, and the sustainable choices we've made in building it.
 
Last summer our site coordinator and co-founder, Peg Kamens, compiled some helpful documents on our carbon footprint and helpful suggestions for everyone. If you would like to delve deeper into what we've learned through experience, please read what Peg put together here.