Home
Government
Departments
Departments A - F
Sustainability & Environmental Education
Locations & Gardens
Environmental Education Center

Environmental Education Center

Contact Us

Environmental Education
C
enter

4116 W. Plano Parkway
Plano, TX 75093
Map

Renee Krebs-Bridges
P: (972) 769-4130
Email

Note: This location is NOT a designated recycling drop-off. For a list of recycling drop-off locations, click here.

About
Rentals
Tours
Photos

About

About the EEC

Built in 2010, the Environmental Education Center is one of the City of Plano's first green buildings and is certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum by the U.S. Green Building Council. The design incorporates many sustainable features.

Architectural site orientation and layout plan for maximum energy efficiency (roof overhangs, east-west orientation, shade)
Use of recycled / renewable / nontoxic materials (low VOC paint and adhesives, reclaimed wood, compressed recycled paper counters, recycled glass terrazzo flooring and fly-ash concrete)
Energy efficient and renewable energy technologies (solar panels, natural lighting, photovoltaics, wind turbine and living green roof)
Water conservation (rainwater harvesting, gray-water recycling, low-flow water system, drip irrigation)
Educational applications (interpretive displays, interactive programs, workshops and public presentations)

U.S. Green Building Council Public LEED Project of the Year, 2013

Rentals

The Natural Choice for Private Events

The Environmental Education Center (EEC) is a sustainable, green venue for small to mid-sized events such as meetings, workshops, classes, team building, weddings, showers, parties, picnics, and family reunions.

In holding your event at the Environmental Education Center or its surrounding gardens, you provide your guests or participants with a relaxing natural setting while demonstrating best practices for living green at home or work.

Rates & Hours

General rental hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend and/or evening events are subject to after hours rates.

Please include an additional $30 per hour to the quoted general hours rate schedule for any after hours event which includes use of audio / visual system.

Rental Amenities

Renting the Environmental Education Center makes event planning easy. When you book this beautiful, educational and sustainable venue, you'll enjoy many free amenities which simplify event details.

Depending on your event setup, such as the use of tables and chairs, the meeting room's capacity varies from 40 to 100 people. It provides an ample 1,122 sq. feet.

Amenities:

Tables (20) and chairs (75)
Headset and wireless microphones
Automated screen
DVD / VCR / CD
Standard easels (4)
BOSE audio player

Laptop computer
Lectern
Projector
State-of-the-art audio / visual equipment
2 large, rolling white boards
Floor-stand fans (2)

The EEC houses a galley kitchen which comes stocked with:

Dishes, glasses, coffee mugs and stemware
Flatware (75 settings)
Serving bowls / utensils
Refreshment dispensers
Ice buckets

Microwave / convection oven (2)
Refrigerator / freezer
Coffee makers (2) / server
Toaster
Dishwasher

Garden Settings

Two distinctive garden settings are available for events:

Texas SmartScape Garden - A picturesque garden featuring lush drought-tolerant landscaping, artwork, a large pave-stone patio with benches and meandering trails which offer conversational areas.
Nature Explore Garden - A colorful, innovative, and educational setting for children's events, this living classroom and butterfly garden offer a large patio space with benches, two large picnic tables, and adult-guided activities.

Tours

Schedule a Tour or Program at the EEC

Schedule a tour with an educator to learn what makes the Environmental Education Center so green!

Tour Hours

Scheduled program times are available on a first come, first served basis. All tours and programs must be requested through our online registration system and times are subject to availability.

September - May: Mon. - Fri. from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. All youth field trips must be completed before sundown for safety reasons.

June - August: Mon. - Fri. 8 - 10 a.m.

Tour Lessons

Grades K-1: Tour & Discovery Hunt worksheet

Grades 2-5: Tour & Recycle/Reuse materials matching activity

Grades 6-12 & Adults: Complete building tour

Tour Length

45 minutes (Presentation lengths may be adjusted according to children's ages or developmental level.)

Tour Cost

Plano ISD / Plano-based groups / North Texas area scout groups:
There is a minimum charge of $45 for a group of up to 15 participants. Each additional participant is $3.

Groups outside of Plano:

There is a minimum charge of $60 for a group of up to 15 participants. Each additional participant is $4.

Payment Fees are payable on the day of the workshop in the form of exact cash or check. Please make checks payable to the City of Plano.

Group Size RequirementsMinimum: 15 participants Maximum: 30 participants

If your group exceeds the maximum number of participants, we are able to facilitate more than one tour at a time upon request (at the time of booking).

Chaperone Requirements for Youth Groups

We require 1 adult chaperone per 15 children. Kindergarten and 1st grade presentations may require additional chaperones.

Photos