Woodlands Stewardship Education Center

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Welcome to the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center

Discover the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. This innovative center educates the community on the Fairfax County Park Authority's stewardship efforts to preserve natural and cultural resources and inspires visitors to be land stewards at home.
Explore technologies like reclaimed materials, solar energy generation, rainwater collection and reuse, and wastewater treatment. The center demonstrates sustainable practices that can reshape our relationship with the environment.

Designed to meet the rigorous standards of the Living Building Challenge, the center is a model of sustainability. It uses its structure, design, systems, materials and operations to teach principles of resource stewardship and sustainable choices in water, energy, site use and building methods.

Host Your Dream Event in a Building That Gives Back

Celebrate life's biggest moments at the stunning Woodlands Stewardship Education Center at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Surrounded by serene Woodlands and built to the highest green building standards, this eco-dash elegant venue blends natural beauty with modern design. With reclaimed materials, a cozy fireplace, and breathtaking forest views, it's the perfect place to host a meaningful gathering.

Stewardship Education Center Features

Large multi-purpose room and kitchen space
Outdoor stage and amphitheater made of natural materials
Learning Outdoor Observation Pod’s exploratory STREAM learning space with shaded observation
Outdoor deck to observe the environment and wildlife
Water collection cistern for flushing toilets
Pump room for water use and treatment
Living Building Challenge tips for sustainable living
Natural water flow landscape
Geogrid parking and rainwater capture
Interactive screens with educational content, exhibit panels and changeable artifacts
Accessible restrooms
Building natural materials
- Structural beams of renewable glue laminated wood
- Walls covered in reclaimed gray Virginia barn wood
- Exterior walls covered in reclaimed sheet metal from Lorton
- Solar panels for building power including main room heating
- Masonry fireplace with local stone to heat building

Inform the community on stewardship actions the FCPA is taking to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources.

Through the use of hands-on activities and instructor-led presentations, educate on actions community members can take to help ensure their personal health through healthy landscapes, buildings, and practices in the built environment.

The Living Building Challenge defines the framework for operational, cultural, and environmental design goals for the facility. All aspects – structure, design, systems, materials, and operations of the center itself – will be used to teach the principles of stewardship for resources and healthy choices in use of water, energy, site use, and building methods.

Provide educational outreach to all residents of the county and promote social equity, diversity and inclusiveness.

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

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Healthy Landscapes Ensure Healthy Commun

Department Resources

Related Resources

Welcome to the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center

Host Your Dream Event in a Building That Gives Back

Celebrate Surrounded by Natural Beauty

Stewardship Education Center Features

GOALS: WOODLANDS STEWARDSHIP EDUCATION CENTER

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