NET Granted Caps Off $9.5 Million Dollar Property Renewal, Funding Biomass Educational Exhibits
Nebraska City, Neb. (December 6, 2017) – The Arbor Day Foundation announced today the completion of educational exhibits located in the Visitor Gallery of the Fuelwood Energy Plant located on the grounds of Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm. The exhibits will explain and interpret the process used in the plant for turning trees into energy as well as highlight the importance of biomass. Visitors can also watch as woodchips are moved through the Fuelwood Energy Plant and converted to steam that provides hot water (for lodging rooms, kitchen and indoor pool) and room heating and air conditioning for 120,000 square feet at Lied Lodge Conference Center. The exhibit was funded by The Nebraska Environmental Trust as part of Lied Lodge's $9.5 million dollar renewal.
The support provided by The Nebraska Environmental trust was used as support for the renewed signage, demonstration, amplification and refurbishment of the space around the gallery to fully reflect the innovations that have happened in biomass and other renewable energies since it was first complete. A key feature at the Lied Lodge Fuelwood Energy Plant is a viewing gallery, easily accessible from the Conference Center and from which visitors can observe the operation of the 4,224-square-foot plant. The trust is funded by proceeds from the Nebraska Lottery and has awarded more than $245 million to more than 1,900 conservations projects across the state of Nebraska since 1994.
"We are thankful to The Nebraska Environmental Trust for having the vision to fund an exhibit that will educate and inspire the tens of thousands of guests that visit us each year at Lied Lodge," said Doug Farrar, vice president, Lied Lodge and Arbor Day Farm. "Because of their generosity, visitors of all ages have a unique educational opportunity to learn about sustainable energy sources based on the efficient use of wood as a renewable energy source."
The Fuelwood Energy Plant Visitor Gallery project completes phase three of the renewal of Lied Lodge. Built by the Arbor Day Foundation in 1993, Lied Lodge & Conference Center is a full-service meeting facility situated at Arbor Day Farm, a 260-acre National Historic Landmark and the original estate of J. Sterling Morton, the Founder of Arbor Day in 1872.
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About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. Since 1972, more than 300 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues we face today, including air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty and hunger.
As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees.
More information is available at arborday.org.