The concept for E-Base-USA (Educational Base) developed as a collaboration between James Bray of AkzoNobel and Apple Ridge Farm. After visiting the first E-Base and Antarctica in 2008, James saw the potential to reach thousands of children from all areas of the Roanoke Valley and beyond, by establishing a local E-Base station at Apple Ridge.
The Inspiration
E-Base began as a dream of Robert Swan’s, OBE. Polar explorer, environmental leader, and the first person ever to walk both the North and South poles, Robert established the first E-Base in Antarctica in 2008. This E-Base functions as a global model for using green, innovative and sustainable materials in a stand-alone building, powered completely by wind and solar energy.
Collaborating to help the USA dream come true
Thanks to AkzoNobel and the Roanoke chapter of the National Railway Historical Society’s (NRHS) generous donation of a railroad boxcar, the dream of the first American E-Base is being realized. Installed at Apple Ridge Farm, the former toolcar, used as storage by the NRHS, is being reconfigured as a classroom for E-Base-USA.
The classroom will feature multiple online computers, satellite television, and small-scale solar and wind educational tools. The stand-alone boxcar will be heated, cooled, and run entirely by wind and solar power. The curriculum will be based on exploring those principles in the surrounding environment.
Volunteers from AkzoNobel-Roanoke’s community service program are donating their time and energy to provide this extraordinary learning environment for the valley’s children. We are honored that Apple Ridge Farm was chosen for the location for the E-Base-USA!
Details To Come!
Call 540.982.1322 or email Janice at
welcome@appleridge.org for more information.