Sustainability

Making an Impact

Habitat Restoration AgroEcology Sustainability Eagle Cam

Stewardship at Home Distance Learning In the Classroom Community Garden Research

Sustainability

Adaptive Reuse of Building Renewable Energy Sustainable Landscapes

Renewable Energy

Duke Farms has designed building and landscape systems to achieve maximum energy performance through the use of both on- and off-site renewable energy to demonstrate a pathway to a more sustainable future. Many of the systems used at Duke Farms may be replicated by homeowners on a smaller scale.

	Geothermal Wells Fifty-six geothermal wells that are 400 feet deep circulate water through a thermally controlled piping loop, using the moderate underground temperatures to boost efficiency and reduce the operational costs of heating and cooling systems.
	Farm Barn Indoor Features Indoor temperature, air quality and lighting controls, along with the use of light shelves and skylights in the second floor office space, reduce energy costs and increase comfort.
	Solar Power The installation of a 640-kilowatt ground-mounted solar array - 3,120 panels over 2.7 acres – generates 250.35kWh per year which will supply 100 percent of the estimated electrical power at the site and provide an opportunity to interpret and demonstrate for visitors the role that renewable energy plays in environmental stewardship. Any unused energy is diverted to the public power grid. CLICK HERE to view our solar array dashboard (note: this site requires the use of Adobe Flash.)
	Reduced Fossil Fuel Usage Duke Farms encourages the use of bicycles on the property; the use of fossil-fueled vehicles in the core area is restricted. Our staff uses a variety of electric vehicles to move around the property to cut down our carbon footprint.

How is the game played?

If using a handheld GPS device (such as a Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance, etc.):

Register for a free basic membership on geocaching.com.
Visit the Hide & Seek a Cache page to locate a cache nearby.
Select a cache to view its cache page which lists the cache description, GPS coordinates, and other instructions on how to find the cache.
Load the coordinates into your GPS device and naviagate to the hidden cache.
Sign the logbook inside the cache and log your visit online on geocaching.com.

If using a GPS-enabled smartphone (such as an iPhone or Andriod phone):

Download geocaching.com app from your app store (there is an Intro version which only allows you to navigate to 3 caches before it makes you upgrade and there is the full version which is $9.99).
Log-in using your geocaching.com username or create a free geocaching.com username if you do not have one.
Once logged in, press "Find Nearby Caches."
Choose the appropriate cache from the list. The cache page should appear.
Press "Navigate to Cache." A map should appear showing your location in relation to the cache location.
Navigate to the cache and sign the logbook when you find it. Go back to the cache page and press "Post a Log/Field Note" to post a log online.

Duke Farms GeoTrail

The Duke Farms GeoTrail is a geocaching challenge consisting of 11 different caches placed around the property. It is a unique journey through a variety of native habitats and landscapes.

To complete the challenge you have to fill out the GeoTrail brochure and uncover the secret word, then present your completed brochure to the front desk staff in the Orientation Center to receive your commemorative token (GeoTrail brochures are available at the front desk in the Orientation Center).

Sustainable Landscapes Adaptive Reuse of Building