Liberty Wildlife

LIBERTY WILDLIFE

Located on the banks of the Rio Salado River in Phoenix, Arizona, the Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Center uses its site and new green home to advance its work and provide a permanent community resource. The nonprofit’s mission is to nurture the nature of Arizona by providing quality wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education, and conservation services.

The Center’s location—a former brownfield site now comprised of upper Sonoran desert, riparian, and wetland biomes—is key to its teachings. The 6.5-acre parcel on which the new LEED Platinum facility sits is part of the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Project, the aim of which is to bring the once-thriving desert river and riparian habitat back to health. Working with a small budget, the landscape architect created a series of outdoor classrooms, event spaces, and revegetated landscapes to transform and enhance the site. Energy conservation and renewable energy strategies are showcased to work in conjunction with the organization's broader mission. This is demonstrated by creating a series of bioswales to manage stormwater and by locating two 28,000-gallon rainwater harvesting cisterns that capture approximately 90,000 gallons of rainwater annually for irrigation at the front of the building. A native riparian habitat and butterfly and pollinator gardens are also located centrally in the courtyard.

 

DETAILS

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Size: 6.5 acres
Client: Liberty Wildlife
Completion Date: 2017

PROJECT TEAM

Weddle Gilmore

SERVICES PROVIDED

Hardscape Collaboration; Landscape Design and Administration

AWARDS

2018 ASLA Arizona Design Honor Award

2017 Arizona Forward President's Award

2017 Arizona Forward Crescordia Award

SRP 2017 Sustainable Award