The Monastery was designed and built in 2009 and earned the highest rating possible from the U.S. Green Building Council. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum. Certified at Platinum with 63 of 69 points, a world record for new construction projects at the time. Indoor air quality is supported by using paints, stains, adhesives and sealants containing no low volatile organic compounds. Mechanical System designed to be highly efficient using a geothermal system. The mechanical room houses the heat pump and circulating pumps which are connected to 39 wells each 300 feet deep located beneath the parking area. The mechanical ventilation system incorporates energy recovery. This tour will be led by Toby Grabs (Director of Operations).
The Monastery owns 130 acres of land and manages an additional 60 acres that are owned by Dane County. The land contains a glacial lake that was dredged and restored to its original size and many marked trails. As we tour the area, we will see the prairie that is being restored, sown with new seeds, controlled for weeds, removal of weedy trees and shrubs from a remnant savanna, planted with the fist of 15 bur oaks in a savanna restoration. The one-hour walking tour will be led by Greg Armstrong a former director of UW Arboretum. Greg is part of the paid staff at Holy Wisdom and he directs a group of volunteers who put in over 1,000 hours last year.
Lunch at noon in the dining room will be a Door County style Fish Boil: Haddock oven steamed with butter, baby Yukon gold potatoes, young carrots, onions and celery served with drawn butter, lemon, fresh bread and cherry cobbler. Coffee, tea and water are available to drink. A vegetarian option is also available.
Please note that while the tour of the prairie is not strenuous it may involve walking on rolling hills and uneven terrain.
Itinerary
10:30 a.m. – Tour of Holy Monastery begins
11:30 a.m. -- Lunch
Questions: Al Liegel 608-358-7343 or UWRA Office 608-262-0641
You are encouraged to register online. Registration is required, we are unable to accept walk-ins.
(University League and Plato members may register if space is available.)
Deadline: Registrations must be received no later than
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Self-drive Trip
This is a self-drive day-trip. You will need to drive to Holy Wisdom Monastery and park on top of the hill. You will need to go to the right after you enter the grounds off Highway M.
Questions
Al Liegel 608-358-7343 or UWRA Office 608-262-0641
Registration
Register online. Mailed in reservations using the Registration Form and checks are accepted.
