Green Evolution Timeline
Green evolution is a journey — one which has taken Phipps from its first LEED-certified campus structure to the pursuit of worldwide regenerative collaboration through The Climate Toolkit. Read on to see some of our major milestones along the way:
2005
- Welcome Center, first LEED-certified visitor center in a public garden
- 100% renewable electricity campus-wide
- Switch to organic lawncare
2006
- First LEED-certified production greenhouses (Platinum EBOM)
- Tropical Forest Conservatory among most energy efficient in the world
- Plastic disposable serviceware eliminated in café
- All food waste composted
- All unused plant material from flower shows and landscape composted
- Recycling policies instituted for cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, hard-to-recycle and construction materials
2009
- Bottled water eliminated
- rBST milk and hormones/antibiotics in meat eliminated
- Eggs restricted to cage-free only
- Hired first Integrated Pest Management specialist to eliminate use of chemical pesticides
2010
- Begin offsetting all carbon produced from heating our buildings
- Purchasing preference formalized to favor sustainably harvested and produced, recycled, FSC-certified products for operations and gift shop
2011
- Soda, junk food and factory farm meat eliminated
2012
- Center for Sustainable Landscapes, first building to achieve Living Building Challenge, LEED, WELL, SITES, BREEAM, FitWel and Zero-Energy certifications in a single project
- Launched Let's Move Pittsburgh initiative to expand organizational mission to topics of family health, nutrition and wellness
2013
- Launched Homegrown program to build raised-bed vegetable gardens in underserved communities, provide mentorship and resources
2015
- Nature Lab, second net-zero energy building, a modular classroom
- Reinvested energy portfolio into renewable energy investments
2017
- Investment portfolio shifted to socially responsible investments, ESG
- Launched Make the Switch at Phipps! Green Power Drive, converting thousands of guests to renewable home energy
- Launched One Health One Planet symposium to unite thought leaders around topics of environmental and human health
2018
- Exhibit Staging Center, third net-zero energy building, a retrofit of an old public works facility
- Intensified focus on single-use plastics reduction
2019
- Launched The Climate Toolkit, a collaborative opportunity for museums, gardens and zoos who want to learn how to aggressively address climate change and inspire the communities they serve to follow their lead
- More than 70% of café menu now vegetarian or vegan
2020
- Launched Nature of Place symposium to explore human experiences and access around biophilia, green spaces and related topics
2021
- Launch of the Youth Climate Advocacy Committee
2023
- Original conservatory multi-phase decarbonization begins with infrastructure to replace fossil-fuel derived steam heat with hot water and electric heating system
Select photos © Paul g. Wiegman; Denmarsh Photography, Inc.; Aaron D'Addio; Mark Dixon; Kitoko Chargois
