Ryerson Woods Education Center

Nestled within the flatwoods along the Des Plaines River, the Ryerson Education Facility is a beacon of ecological education and environmental stewardship for the residents of Lake County and the region at large. In addition to supporting educational programs in partnership with local schools and community organizations, the net zero energy building serves as a trailhead for the surrounding forest preserve, which includes one of the only remaining quality flatwoods ecotones in Northern Illinois. The building works to protect and tell this fragile ecosystem's story through active demonstration of water conservation, energy production, and material resiliency. The facility has achieved PHIUS Zero 2021 certification; in addition to achieving Passive House certification, it will also achieve net zero energy.