Bush Goes Green With Library and Museum

He's picked the site and approved the designs, and as former President George W. Bush prepares to break ground on his presidential library and museum at Southern Methodist University, he's going green. The nation's 43rd president, who considers himself a conservationist, will be overseeing the eco-friendly presidential facility. 

The water-saving aspects of the facility are described in an E-mail to Whispers. "The Presidential Center plantings, site hydrology, and topography work together to create a landscape that is ecologically rich and environmentally sustainable, while providing a dynamic experience in every season of the year. The native plant communities of North Central Texas are selected for their compatibility with various site microclimates," says the E-mail. A map of the eco-advantages and plantings is also included. 

The landscaping, which integrates local plants, plays a big part in the design of Bush's facility. It's not a surprise that Bush is so tuned to such things, since he spent many hours on his ranch in Crawford, Texas, clearing brush and shaping the landscape. On his library design website, that aspect is played up: "The landscape will be an attraction in and of itself, with seasonable displays in the wildflower meadow, large tree-shaded lawns for sitting, picnicking or playing, numerous gardens and courtyards, tall grass prairie with seasonal wildflowers, and savannah and woodland clearings that provide a range of native habitat for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife species. The landscape will function as an urban park that will engage a broad range of users, including library and special event visitors, SMU students, faculty and staff and the University Park community. It provides numerous spaces for events and gatherings, including performances in the outdoor amphitheater and intramural sports on the west lawn." 

The library, which will be built with some $400 million in donations, is slated to open in 2013. 

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Corrected on 3/8/10: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that former President George W. Bush will have the first green presidential library. Former President Bill Clinton’s library was the first to earn an award for environmental design.