GATES (www.GATESinc.com) has completed construction of the Interpretive Center at The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve for Lee County Government.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification, Silver Rating is pending for the building.

LEED is a national standard for green building design developed by The United States Green Building Council.

Some of the techniques that GATES implemented include the use of recycled and organic materials. External deck and railings are a substance that resembles wood but is actually a composite of recycled products, including plastic grocery bags and sawdust.

Fifty-one of the original site was preserved and the few trees that were removed were replaced with native saplings. During construction, 179 tons of material was diverted from the landfill, mostly through recycling.

The two-story Interpretive Center is located within the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers. The building features educational displays including exhibits detailing Green Building aspects.