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The Audubon Center's
EcoRV
A Mobile Classroom and Ambassador of Renewable Energy
In autumn
2005, the Audubon Center of the North Woods received a donation
of a large RV, by Advisory Board member Betsy Johnston. Originally,
the plan was to turn it over to a Cars
With Heart, a company that sells vehicles to raise funds
for non-profits and charities. But at our 2005 Open House we
had a demonstration of a car that had been converted to run
on used vegetable oil. This can only be done with vehicles that
have diesel engines. When the RV arrived, soon afterwards, it
occurred to Kate Crowley that this might be a unique opportunity
to provide outreach energy education,
and promotion of the Center. And so the ECO RV was born.
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With
a diesel engine, the RV has been converted to a “veggie”
vehicle; that is, one that runs on used vegetable oil, collected
from local restaurants. This vehicle will bring a variety of educational
programs, including our birds of prey
for off-site programs to schools, clubs, county fairs, conferences,
State Park campgrounds and RV campgrounds.
The
vehicle has been painted by Lucas Campbell. – the artist
who has created much of the art that covers the walls at the Center.
The images on the ECO RV include our symbol, the osprey, both
in traditional form, and as a new cartoon mascot called “Ole”.
Other designs highlight the sustainable means of powering the
vehicle and the Center’s commitment to other renewable
sources of energy. It is an eye-catching, innovative vehicle
that will carry our environmental education message far beyond
the boundaries of the Center. |
The
vehicle will not only run on veggie oil, but also sport a rooftop
solar collector and a portable wind generator, to model other
forms of alternative energy use. A special energy curriculum has
been developed to be used in auditorium programs, as well as smaller
classroom programs.
Any
Audubon Chapter, organization or business that makes a contribution
of $1000 or more to this venture will have its name prominently
displayed on the vehicle. Currently the Minnesota
River Valley Audubon Chapter is listed as a sponsor.
We
feel this is the right time for this project, as no other organization
is doing anything of this kind and it is a way to spread our message
and broaden our name recognition within the state. |
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For
more information about having Ole and the Eco-RV bring their message
to you,
contact the Center:
888-404-7743
audubon1@audubon-center.org
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