The United States Green Building Council presents a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design award each year.

Though the Osprey House, the visitor center at Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, met many of its standards, the LEED award was never applied for as application costs $20,000.

Nature Center Director Dan Kunkle said it could use the money better elsewhere rather than collecting another award.

Scott Ziegenfus, who hikes at the center, was aware of the many green features in the building.

He contacted Kunkle and said he wanted to nominate the building for the award in the public projects group.

Kunkle sent him a list of the green fea-tures:superinsulated walls and ceiling, geothermal HVAC, high-efficiency lighting, state-of-the-art sewage system, green construction materials, reuse of existing building, storm water management and CollidEscape on windows to prevent bird strikes.

It was one of five entries in the category, and was chosen to receive the award, which was presented at a Council dinner at Muhlenberg College, Allentown.