The City of Plano's Environmental Education Center is the city's first LEED PLatinum building. It offers demonstrations of eco-friendly technology and installations, such as solar and wind-power demonstrations, and rain-water capture systems. It also features fun hands-on activities designed to teach kids about the benefits of recycling and living in a more environmentally-conscious way.
The center is located at 4116 W. Plano Parkway.
From the city's website: (
visit link)
"Fieldtrips and Tours
Schedule a program with an educator and have fun exploring the Environmental Education Center's Discovery Gardens. Activities focus on composting, gardening, worm-composting, recycling, plants, animals, life cycles and habitats. You will learn how recycled materials are used throughout the garden and be involved in hands-on, interactive experiences. (Grades K-12)
School Fieldtrip: Educational tour of Environmental Education Center or Plano Community Garden
Educational tours of the Plano Community Garden and Environmental Education Center are available along with hands-on correlated activities by request. (45 minute tour)
Environmental Education Center - 4116 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75093
The Environmental Education Center (EEC) is Plano's first LEED Platinum-Certified building, designed to incorporate as many sustainable practices as feasible. Sustainable design features include a living roof, recycled/reused materials, solar panels, wind turbine, rainwater cistern, dual-flush toilets, drip irrigation, interactive displays, creek habitat and Nature Explore Gardens.
Click here for more information & photos of the EEC.
Grades K-3: Tour & Discovery Hunt worksheet
Grades 2-5: Tour & Recycle/Reuse materials matching activity
Grades 6-12: General tour
Adults and Organizations: Facility tours
Tours are available for the following facilities:
(1 hour tour)
Environmental Education Center - 4116 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75093
The Environmental Education Center is Plano's first LEED Platinum-Certified building, designed to incorporate as many sustainable practices as feasible. Sustainable design features include:
Architectural site orientation and layout plan for maximum energy efficiency (roof overhangs, east-west orientation, shade, living roof)
Use of recycled, renewable & non-toxic materials (low VOC paint, fly ash concrete, Enviroglas)
Energy efficient and renewable energy technologies (PV solar panels, wind turbine, natural lighting)
Water conservation (rainwater harvesting, gray water recycling, low-flow water system, drip irrigation)
Educational applications (interpretive and interactive displays on irrigation, living roof technology, zero waste and composting)
Utilization of site’s natural features (creek habitat and environmental discovery gardens)"