Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois
http://www.springfieldop.org/

Contact:
Sharon Zayac, OP
6760 Old Jacksonville Rd., New Berlin, IL 62670
217.787.6927
jubilee.farm@comcast.net

The Springfield Dominican Sisters are presently (2009) incorporating the following practices and objectives into a new building on their Motherhouse grounds. They will consider incorporating these and other new practices that lead to sustainability into future new construction and renovations.

Water use efficiency is enhanced by the inclusion of reduced flow toilets and showers throughout the building. Stormwater from the surrounding landscape is managed through the establishment and maintenance of a rain garden that reduces runoff and soil erosion by allowing stormwater to soak into the ground. This also reduces contaminants from paved areas from reaching streams through storm drains. A green roof covers the new building with native Illinois vegetation and soil as a way to increase insulation and reduce energy consumption, but also to increase infiltration of rain to further reduce runoff. The Motherhouse and small communities of sisters have minimized the use of bottled water with many of their houses discontinuing use completely.

Energy use efficiency was a priority in the construction of the new building. Windows were placed to maximize natural lighting and to minimize summer heat. Ceiling fans were installed in all rooms. And, fuel efficient radiant floor heat was incorporated into the chapel which no longer requires electrical fans to move warmed air from a furnace to the chapel, but relies upon natural convection for heat distribution further reducing energy consumption.

The content of flooring and countertops was selected with the environment in mind. Bamboo; a grass that matures in three years, regenerates without need for replanting, and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides; and recycled linoleum were installed in low traffic areas. Durable porcelain tile made from compressed dust is used in the higher-traffic hallways. Old marble bathroom dividers were used as sink counter tops and splash boards.

Indoor environmental quality is of increasing concern to the sisters in that they, like most Americans, spend an increasing amount of time indoors. Where carpeting is used, it is carpet with very low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) to help improve indoor air quality. All flooring and floor coverings can be cleaned with water alone without the need of additional cleaners. This reduces pollution concerns in their production, use, and disposal as well as related VOC emissions. Unwanted sound is also a concern and is limited through the use of acoustical tiling in chapel walls and a layer of sound barrier batting was added to all walls to minimize noise. A water spray humidifier was added in the heating systems. And, each public and private room has individual climate controls.

The more sustainable operation and construction of the building and grounds are shared in various ways within the religious community and the surrounding community through the guidance of the Springfield Dominicans Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee and their Center for Ecology and Spirituality at Jubilee Farm. Students at the adjacent Sacred Heart Griffin High School will soon be able to study the design and the ecological choices related to the new building. Sisters of the community and the various boards that assist the community are educated about the connections between the construction and operation of the facility, ecological considerations, and Catholic social teaching through newsletters, workshops, and the community website. The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Committee put together a comprehensive document and glossary to educate the sisters about global climate change. Springfield Dominican Sister Sharon Zayac educates the wider community by presenting the acclaimed program on global climate change developed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore, by facilitating workshops of the Northwest Earth Institute’s, Global Warming: Changing Course, and by helping other groups develop global climate change materials.

As a way to reduce waste, the sisters offered a salvage sale at the careful deconstruction of a community building. Very little went to the landfill. As a rule, the Motherhouse and many of the local communities of sisters recycle, use environmentally friendly cleaning products, and make appropriate choices about the disposal of electronic waste. Likewise, they intentionally refrain from using disposable cups and plates, but continue to use disposable napkins and paper towels.

Jubilee Farm (www.jubileefarm.info) provides the Motherhouse and local communities of sisters with fresh produce during the growing season. The Motherhouse community takes occasional advantage of the local farmer’s market. The Motherhouse saves its compost for use at Jubilee Farm.

The Springfield Dominicans have used hybrid vehicles for years as one way to reduce transportation-related emissions. Carpooling is the norm and some local communities of sisters have decided not to purchase an additional car and to make use of one per local community. When non-hybrid vehicles are purchased, a deciding factor is their fuel mileage. The community has purchased the necessary equipment for and continue to increase its use for telecommuting for meetings. Phone conferencing is an alternative to travel.