Evanston Ecology Center Achieves LEED Gold Certification Following Renovation

The Evanston Ecology Center has officially achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. This designation follows the major facility renovation that was completed in 2025, which modernized the building and advanced sustainability goals.

The extensive upgrades directly support the City’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP) and its Healthy Building Ordinance. By transforming the facility into a high-performance, eco-friendly hub, the City has solidified the Ecology Center’s role as both an educational resource and a model for sustainable infrastructure.

This achievement was made possible through the collaboration of Nurture Architects, who envisioned the sustainable transformation, and general contractor Central Rug and Carpet, who brought it to life. 

The renovation included these key improvements:

• Fully Electric HVAC System: Installed a fully electric heating and cooling system to eliminate operational emissions. The new system has a 29% improvement in energy performance above baseline code requirements.

• Classroom & Office Modernization: Renovated internal educational spaces and administrative offices to enhance functionality and improve the visitor/staff experience.

• Restroom Upgrades: Renovated the restrooms with modern, water-efficient fixtures, reducing indoor water use by 35%.

• Structural Roof Repairs: Completed vital structural repairs to the roof to ensure long-term building durability and safety.

• Crawlspace Waterproofing: Waterproofed the building's crawlspace to prevent moisture-related issues, improve air quality, and enhance thermal efficiency.

• Natural Habitat Preservation: Preserved and reinforced the habitat around the building with additional native and adaptive species.

For more information, visit the Ecology Center webpage or call 847-448-4111. Community members may simply dial 3-1-1 while in Evanston.