Sustainability Assessment for the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science and Nature Center
The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science & Nature Center are cornerstones of the Ann Arbor community. They have a role to play in demonstrating sustainable practices and educating the community on sustainability. To properly understand their environmental footprint and develop a plan for improvement, they have requested a sustainability and emissions analysis. For a baseline understanding of emissions, they expect a Scope 1, 2, and partial Scope 3 emissions assessment relying on data from the AAHOM and LSNC, as well as recommendations on how to improve their impact and create new educational programming. As consultants, we conducted a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions baseline assessment, drafted a sustainability strategy report, and created a tool for the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum (AAHOM) and Leslie Science & Nature Center (LSNC) to track sustainability improvements over time. The GHG baseline assessment encompasses Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, along with a partial Scope 3 evaluation focusing on visitor and field trip travel distances. This assessment provides a foundational understanding of the organization's environmental footprint for the calendar year 2024. The sustainability strategy report includes detailed recommendations for reducing emissions, water use, and waste production and enhancing education on sustainability at both AAHOM and LSNC. These products are expected to have a significant impact through not only guiding internal operations towards Ann Arbor’s A2ZERO carbon neutrality goals but also by informing educational programming to inspire sustainability awareness and action among the museum’s 200,000 annual visitors.
Natalie Dwortz (SS)
Eliana Provizer (BEC,SD)
Melika Sizar (BEC)