FISHERS, Ind. (June 11, 2009) – Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Indiana’s only Smithsonian affiliate, is utilizing alternative energy sources, minimizing its effect on the Earth’s climate and expanding its conservation efforts with the installation of a 45-foot tall wind turbine, 22 solar roof panels and a 200-acre prairie grassland restoration project.

The wind and solar energy alternative power sources are being incorporated into Conner Prairie’s day-to-day activities, both to educate guests and decrease the institution’s impact on the natural environment. The latest green initiatives will help focus visitors’ experience not only on the historical use of the land, but also on the current day need to responsibly steward the park’s land resources.

The Uni-Solar panels, located on the roof of the Welcome Center, and Skystream wind turbine were both installed last week and feed directly into the power grid at Conner Prairie. The wind turbine is located near the new 1859 Balloon Voyage exhibit and is accessible to the public. Guests can explore this alternative energy source first-hand with an up-close view of wind power at work. The solar panels and wind turbine were made possible through a matching grant by the Alternative Power and Energy Grant Program through the Indiana Office of Energy Development and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The prairie grass restoration project is being conducted in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service as part of the State Acres for Wildlife Permanent Wildlife Habitat and Permanent Native Grasses Program. The prairie grass restoration will take place on 200 acres of Conner Prairie’s land, most of which is in front of the William Conner Homestead, and will restore short stature grassland habitat for grassland songbirds and the Bobwhite quail. Planting of the three warm season grasses and 11 types of wildflowers began on Tuesday, June 9. This project is projected to have a major impact on water quality and habitat restoration in the upper White River watershed and will include access for guests to explore a typical nineteenth-century Indiana prairie grass habitat. It will take two to three years before the prairie is fully established.

“Conner Prairie is committed to stewarding land and resources for the benefit of current and future guests, and to telling the stories of how humans have used, affected and interacted with land over time,” said Ellen M. Rosenthal, president and CEO of Conner Prairie. “By preserving 850 acres of green space in a rapidly developing area, Conner Prairie provides its visitors with opportunities to connect with the land in a way now foreign to most peoples’ daily experience.”

The alternative power and green initiative enhancements are the latest in Conner Prairie’s on-going stewardship efforts and supports its initiative to explore science through the lens of history. Conner Prairie has a long history of incorporating environmentally sustainable practices, including working with the annual White River Clean Up and incorporating environmental programming into the daily guest experience for decades. Additionally, in 2008, Conner Prairie significantly expanded a park-wide recycling program with great success. More than 160,000 aluminum cans and plastic bottles were recycled and 23.4 tons of potential trash was diverted from landfills due to Conner Prairie’s recycling efforts last year.

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Conner Prairie interactive history park, created by Eli Lilly in 1934, is Indiana’s only Smithsonian affiliate. Families of today engage, explore and discover what it was like to live and play in Indiana’s past. Explore five themed historic areas on 200 beautiful, wooded acres including the newest exhibit, 1859 Balloon Voyage. This exhibit educates guests about Indiana’s aviation history and culminates with a voyage 350 feet above the prairie in a tethered helium balloon. Every visit is a unique adventure that provides an authentic look into the history that shapes us today. Admission to Conner Prairie: $12 adult, $11 senior, $8 youth ages 2-12, free for members. For more information about Conner Prairie visit www.connerprairie.org or call 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836.

Media Contact: Angela Tuell, Public Relations Manager
(office) 317.214.4732, (cell) 410.430.9518, Tuell@connerprairie.org