Community open house at Wind Mitigation Building

The public is invited to learn how to save money while protecting the environment at a Community Open House at the newly updated Wind Mitigation and Resource Conservation Building.

The Open House will be on Friday, March 20, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at the unique demonstration facility, located at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center.

The Wind Mitigation and Resource Conservation Building is a joint effort of St. Johns County and the University of Florida, one of only four such facilities in the state. It showcases multiple hurricane-resistant and low-impact development products, emphasizing eco-friendly principles and best practices.

The building has been updated during the past year and demonstrates the latest green technology in areas such as storm shutter systems, impact-resistant windows, dual-flush toilets, Florida friendly landscaping, low-volume irrigation, rainwater harvesting and cisterns, permeable pavers, insulated concrete-form systems and much more.

The building is a valuable community resource for the region’s homeowners, builders, developers, real estate personnel, building inspectors, professional organizations, elected officials, homeowner associations and all members of the public.

The three main goals of the facility are to improve public safety, enhance water quality and conservation, and encourage energy efficiency.

During the March 20th Open House, activities will include the following:

· Brief comments by St. Johns County Commission Chair Cyndi Stevenson and County Extension Director David Dinkins
· Tours of the newly updated Wind Mitigation and Resource Conservation Building
· Displays by vendors showcasing green technology practices
· Examples of low-impact development and Florida friendly landscaping
· Information on home composting and recycling
· Tours of the Agricultural Center’s Community Gardens and Arboretum
· Lunch Cookout

Come celebrate the first day of spring by attending the Open House and learning about environmentally-friendly practices that are cost-effective and eco-friendly.

The St. Johns County Agricultural Center is located at 3111 Agricultural Center Drive, near the intersection of State Road 16 and Interstate 95 in St. Augustine.

For more information about the Open House or the Wind Mitigation and Resource Conservation Building, call (904) 209-0430.