What We're Doing at
NOLS Headquarters

Facility

NOLS’ 55,000 square-foot headquarters in Lander, Wyoming demonstrates the school's core values of community and sensitivity to protecting the environment. While maintaining as small a carbon footprint as possible, the building provides for the growing needs of NOLS’ centralized operations.

• Energy efficiency in this large facility is incorporated through a passive solar gain model by way of large windows and thoughtful shading.  Insulation with such large windows is maintained through low e-rated glass and a closed HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) system. 
• Recycled materials in ceiling tiles, carpet, and conference tables provide sustainable elements within the building.
• Local contractor installs not only provide support for the local economy, but less transportation impact on the environment.

    
Recycling 

Every department promotes recycling with various categories, including white paper, mixed paper, newspaper, aluminum, plastic, tin, and glass. 

• The Information Systems Department (IS) manages the electronics-recycling program, contracting a Cheyenne company for proper disposal of computers, printers, and other electronic devices. 

Printing

As the central hub for communications, headquarters produces numerous letters, memos, and other documents that leave quite a long paper trail.

• External printing: small jobs are generally contracted out in Lander, where high post-consumer content paper or cardstock is purchased when available and affordable.  Large or complex print jobs are contracted to large printers in Denver to Jackson, which offer high post-consumer content paper at affordable rates. 

Mailing

Departments with a large number of yearly mailings reuse extra envelopes and registration cards for in house correspondence. 

Other Purchasing

NOLS Purchasing and Development departments, as well as the Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI), order sustainable and functional merchandise where economically feasible.

Transportation

A significant number of HQ staff bike or walk to work each day. NOLS provides staff with 4 bikes for use around town to cut down unnecessary fossil fuel use.