Hats off to the Indian Creek Nature Center

Recent news that the Indian Creek Nature Center's headquarters has been certified by the Living Building Council is the culmination of decades of vision and hard work. It shows that well designed and managed structures can produce more energy than they use, saving owners money and the environment emissions.

There's more to the building than many realize. For example, it encouraged the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) to plan its 2020 Summit in Cedar Rapids. Indian Creek helped form ANCA 30 years ago. Today ANCA has 800 members throughout the world, and about 300 of them will spend several nights in area hotels next September.

The Nature Center's continued innovation demonstrates successful leadership succession, a strong staff, a supportive board, and hundreds of members, volunteers, and financial supporters.

Hats off to John Myers, the rest of the Nature Center Staff, the board, and the hundreds of area people who have worked hard for the past 46 years to enable Indian Creek to be one of America's premier nature centers.

Rich Patterson

Cedar Rapids