Environment centre
Come see a building designed with sustainability in mind. You will find rainwater harvesting, renewable energy installations, compost toilets and a living roof planted with sedum. We can provide you with advice and information on various environmental issues including composting, recycling and renewable energy. Our little shop offers a growing range of green products such as composting equipment, books and recycled stationery. You can hire the Centre for meetings and other events or come for a guided tour. Please follow the links for further information or simply pop in.
The pioneering York Environment Centre was officially opened on 8th May 2000. On Saturday 8th May 2010, we will be holding a special event to mark the Centre’s birthday and to celebrate 10 years of practising sustainability. Please see our Events page for more details and join us on the day.
Some of the highlights of the last ten years:
2000 York Environment Centre officially opened on May 8th, at cost of £300,000 with funding from National Lottery Charities Board.
2001 * St Nicholas Fields Community Recycling Scheme is set up, collecting initially from 150 households.
* The Centre is awarded “Highly Commended” in the Eurosolar UK Prize “for inspiring renewable energy projects”
2002 SEED funding secured for expanding the community recycling scheme.
2003 * The community recycling scheme expands to 1000 households.
* The first Give or Take Day / Junk Swap was held in June, now a very popular annual community event.
2004 * St Nicholas Fields was officially designated as a Local Nature Reserve.
* York Rotters was established in partnership with City of York Council.
* The first St Nicks Apple Day was held in October, now a popular annual community event.
2005 * York Rotters employs its first Project Officer.
* The community recycling scheme gets an electric vehicle to expand its service.
* Friends of St Nicholas Fields help to launch York Freecycle, which now has over 17,000 members
* A shop counter opens at the Centre offering a selected range of composting equipment, books and recycled stationery.
2006 The community recycling scheme secures funding to expand to expand its service to over 5000 households.
2007 Friends of St Nicholas Fields (FoSNF) is awarded the inaugural Biffa Climate Conscious Award
2008 * FoSNF employs its first Volunteer Coordinator to develop volunteering opportunities at St Nicks.
* The St Nicks Camera Club is established.
2009 The Sustainable City Education Programme is launched, working with local schools to help reduce carbon emissions and waste.
2010 York Environment Centre celebrates 10 years of practising sustainability.