Toyota Opens Education Center in Yellowstone Park

Japanese manufacturer Toyota announced yesterday the opening of an Old Faithful Visitor Education Center (OFVEC) at the Yellowstone National Park, the first visitor center in any national park to have earned a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the US Green Building Council.

Of course, you might wonder what does Toyota have to do with OFVEC. Well, the Japanese manufacturer let some of its engineers help design and build the center, having already gained a bit of experience in LEED after erecting the Toyota headquarters in Torrance, California.

In words we can all understand, the center has been built by using recycled and renewable building materials,. The center benefits from state-of-the-art lighting, insulation and climate control, as well as low flow plumbing. The designers of the center have created the building in such a manner that it reduces heating space during winter months.

This is not the first involvement Toyota has with the National Park. Since 2003, the carmaker stated its presence there by donating four Prius hybrid vehicles and later establishing a $5 million grant to enhance environmental which funded Yellowstone, Everglades, Great Smokies, Grand Canyon and Yosemite parks.

“This is part of Toyota’s overall commitment to environmental education and sustainable development,” Jim Lentz, TMS president and chief operating officer said in a statement.

“The new Old Faithful Visitor Education Center will be a symbol of sustainability and provide environmental education opportunities for over three million visitors a year.”