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President Teddy Roosevelt left behind an extensive environmental legacy, from creating the U.S. Forest Service to protecting the Grand Canyon.
Now Roosevelt’s presidential library is being built in North Dakota – and honoring the Republican president with climate-friendly design features.
Jenn Carroll is the library’s sustainability manager.
Carroll: “With T.R.’s history being the conservation president, we felt like continuing that legacy was extremely important for our mission.”
Native grasses planted on the roof will help insulate the building. Geothermal wells will provide low-energy heating and cooling. Solar panels will generate the library’s electricity. And water will be filtered and reused for toilets and irrigation.
The library is set to open next year, with programs to teach visitors about these sustainable design features and Roosevelt’s environmental legacy.
Carroll: “The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will be a cultural institution where visitors can convene and not simply learn about T.R. but learn from T.R. while being inspired to return home and take action. … The time is now for us to embody T.R.’s legacy and to think boldly, dare greatly, care deeply, and to live passionately, just as he did.”
Reporting credit: Ethan Freedman / ChavoBart Digital Media
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