Located on a 10-acre site in the heart of the Spring Creek Watershed, the new Hamer Community Conservation Center, ClearWater Conservancy’s (CWC) first permanent headquarters, will serve the community through a variety of environmental education and conservation leadership initiatives. The new facility will house offices, multipurpose workspace, a library, and a community learning center, as well as outdoor demonstration areas. From the Center’s hillside perch, visitors can traverse new trails down to the lower site to experience the extensive restored pollinator meadow and revitalized riparian corridor along Spring Creek.

The new building sits on the footprint of an original historic barn, salvaged and creatively repurposed to preserve its legacy. Salvaged floor joists are being milled into the main entrance façade siding, foundation stones are being used as new site walls, and salvaged wood siding, doors, and timber frames are being used for site artwork. The building design also includes new exterior board-and-batten cedar siding that will weather to a silvery-gray patina, honoring existing barns throughout the region. Vertical windows of varying widths shall provide panoramic views of the site and bring in ample natural daylight in playful patterns.

CWC’s commitment to environmental conservation and education are reflected in the design and construction strategies. The project features a geothermal system and roof-mounted solar panels to offset energy consumption. Erosion and sediment controls will keep soil out of the nearby Spring Creek and maintain water quality during construction. When complete, the Hamer Community Conservation Center will become a beacon for environmental conservation for generations to come.