Barnstable County

Host's Name(s):

Don Root

Location:

Barnstable
Centerville, MA

100 Huckins Neck Rd.
Race Point Lighthouse

Description of site:

Race Point Lighthouse built in 1876 is located on the beach two miles from the nearest paved road at the very end of Cape Cod in Provincetown Mass. The Keeper's House, Whistle House and Lighthouse electricity are supplied by an on-site solar system. A climb to the top of Race Point Lighthouse allows one to see where the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay meet to create Race Point. Sand dunes, sunsets, birds, and whales can be viewed from he Lantern Room.

Available for visits:

Day trips are possible April 15 to October 15. Overnight stays may be scheduled in May, June September and October on a space available basis.

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:

Adult supervision is required. Number of individuals in a group may be limited depending on groups planned activities and length of visit. Groups will supply their own food and water and other supplies necessary to support the groups activities. The Cape Cod Chapter of the Alf will provide transportation from Provincetown to Race Point Lighthouse. Near by attractions include the Cape Cod National Seashore bicycle paths and self guided nature trails, Salt Pond and Province land Visitor Centers, Nauset Lighthouse, Highland Lighthouse, Pilgrim Monument . Additionally, the Cape Cod Chapter is thinking about adding a 1.5 KW African Wind Turbine to interface with the 2003 Solar System. The site is not handicapped accessible. However handicapped persons may be able to be accommodated with planning.

To arrange a visit and interview:

Email dcr33@comcast.net or call (508) 771-4428

Directions:

Local directions Provided by telephone or check out the Race Point Lighthouse website at www.racepointlighthouse.net

Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

This site has a composting toilet, solar heat, electricity, hot water, and passive solar nighttime insulation, aquaculture and much more.

From April to June is a bad time to visit, but before that just call ahead to make arrangements. There is no specific group size.

The driveway is difficult but there is public parking. There is a beach near by to visit with swimming in the warmer months.

Just east of the intersection of Route 130 with Route 28, turn south onto Cotuit's Main street. At 1-1/4 miles you will pass the Cotuit Grocery on the right. Take the next left onto Old Shore Road. House #64 is a glass and red contemporary.

Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

My house is super insulated and situated to make the best use of the sunshine to cut down on my heating bills. I have solar PV (photovoltaic) panels, which change radiant energy from the sun into electricity, as well as solar thermal panels, which heat my water for showers, and tubes running through the floor, which heat my house. I have tried to use recycled materials wherever I could. I also have a hybrid car and a yard with flowers, herbs and vegetables that uses no chemical fertilizers.

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
Please know that additional information can be found at www.coonamessettfarm.com

Directions:
Take Route 151 to Sandwich Road going towards Falmouth. After the Unitarian Universalist Church, Jewish Congregation and Cape Cod Winery, look for a right hand turn sign (a T on its side). Make the right hand turn onto Pinecrest Beach Road. Take your second right, on to Round Pond Drive. This turns into a dirt road and my house is number 22, on the right hand side.

Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

Description of site:
Our house is very well sealed and insulated to keep the cold air out in the winter. In addition, we make solar electricity through our photovoltaic panels, and solar hot water on the roof to heat the house, to wash clothes, to shower, etc.

Available for visits:
Dates and times for visits are very flexible.

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
Attractions that are close by include: Woodneck Beach, Beebe Woods, Woods Hole Research center, and a much larger building with alternative energy features is fairly close by as well.

To arrange a visit and interview:
Call Wei Wang at (503) 540-8973 or email wwang@whoi.edu

From the North: Take Route 28 south to Sippewissett/ Exit 28 to Falmouth; immediately turn left onto Palmer Avenue at the flashing yellow light. Less than 1 mile on Palmer Avenue, take a right on to Sippewissett Road. Go 1 to 2 miles, then take a left on to Dearborn Avenue (after Haynes 1 and 2).
Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

Description of site:
We are self-dependant individuals who built our house from scratch, every nail and every board, although we had the solar panels put in for us. This house primarily uses passive solar exposure, there is a 2kW (kilowatt) photovoltaic array (solar panel system) on the roof which is grid-tied, meaning that it is connected to the layout of an electrical distribution system. We a have radiant floor heating which is a type of energy that comes up through the floor to keep your toes nice and warm, and high efficiency oil burning equipment that runs alternatively on bio-diesel (an alternative fuel that can be made from any fat or vegetable oil). We use a lot of local solar light applications. Valerie is a high school teacher in environmental sciences and a Park Ranger for the national seashores and I am sure that visitors will get a science lesson or two.

Available for visits:
We are available for visits on weekends.

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
There are several harbors nearby and Cape Cod has a lot of good places to eat. There is a yummy place just up the road within walking distance.

Directions:
Take Route 3 south from Boston to Route 6. Take Exit 10m to Route 124, which is a right off the exit ramp. Take a left on to Route 39. Take a right on to Bonk and go to the end. Take a right on to Route 28. Our house is # 814. Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

Description of site:
Our home was designed not to use any fossil fuels for heating and cooling. It gets warm in the winter by the sun and an unusual wood stove called a masonry stove, and stays cool in the summer by the way it is designed. Our toilet is called "urine diverting" and it brings urine to an underground tank, which can then be used to fertilize the lawn. Much of the house is made from re-used materials such as doors from other houses. We have car that runs on vegetable oil, as well as chickens and other people's leaves which make compost for us.

Available for visits:
We are quite flexible and are used to accommodating visits. A one- week advance notice would be appreciated.

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
We do own two dogs (very friendly) and a cat.
The house next door has a riding stable and does group trail rides, there is the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, which has a number of children's programs in the next town over. Of course there are many beaches and nature walks to explore as well.

To arrange a visit and interview:
Email Allison at alifly@cape.com or call (508) 255-9803

Directions:
Please ask for more detail when you call, as they are somewhat detailed, but the general directions are to take Exit 12 off of Route 6, the Mid-Cape Highway, and to take Route 6 to Exit 12. Take the exit ramp "toward Brewster." There will be a traffic light within a
few hundred yards. At the light, turn left onto Bakers Pond Road and follow it to the top of the hill. Within 1/8 mile you will see a small sign for Black Sand Stable. About 75 feet beyond this sign, turn right onto the unmarked road opposite Doran Drive. House #40 is the second house on the right.

Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

Description of site:
Our Nature Center uses a passive solar heating system and an indoor composting toilet system. We are currently renovating our building to include even more green features, such as photovoltaic panels and a living roof.

Trails are open year round from 8am to dusk, the Nature Center is open from 8:30 am-5:00 pm from April through October, 9:00 am-4:30 pm November through March, and closed on Mondays from Columbus Day to Memorial Day.

Groups of ten or more must contact our education coordinator in advance for a tour. We are one mile from the Marconi Site at the Cape Cod National Seashore and close to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. This wildlife sanctuary does not allow pets, smoking, running, biking, horseback riding, or skiing. Snowshoeing is permitted. Please take only memories and leave only footprints.

Call Maryann Zbel at 508-349-2615 Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm or by email at mzbel@massaudubon.org

or for groups of ten or more, contact Amy Ferreira, Education Coordinator, at (508) 349-2615 or by email at aferreira@massaudubon.org.

Cape Cod Community College: I work at Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable, MA. We have a green campus that includes energy efficient lighting and heating; composting and recycling; a certified green building; and solar panels. We may soon have a wind turbine. Last year, we received grant money to develop a renewable energy curriculum for both the college as well as for the two technical high schools on Cape Cod. In addition, we have a green campus initiative going on here, with recycling, composting, and a new environmentally friendly building under construction. The building is LEED certified by the U.S. Green Buildings Council, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. I would be happy to talk to a Girl Scout regarding clean energy.

We have a nice cafeteria to grab a bit to eat and there are hiking trails here on campus.

The main campus of Cape Cod Community College is located just off the Mid-Cape Highway (Route 6), north of Exit 6 (the junction of Routes 6 and 132). The address of the main campus is 2240 Iyanough Rd. (Route 132) West Barnstable, MA 02668

Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.