Even though every idea has importance, some ideas are truly visionary. Earthpark™, an idea that is huge in scope and possible impact, is the vision of Ted Townsend, and once completed will be like no other attraction in America. Although a visit to the facility will be entertaining for children and adults alike, entertainment is not the main purpose of Earthpark™. Instead, the hope for this facility is that it becomes a learning center and a lesson in understanding our planet through interactive exhibits, learning centers and immersive environments. According to Townsend, the completed facility is designed to “inspire generations to learn from the natural world.”

One of the aims behind Earthpark™ is to impress upon people that the facts pertaining to the future of our planet are sobering. Our children are inheriting a future different from the world we are experiencing today. World population could grow by half in our children’s lifetime. The stress on our planet, if not addressed and remedied, could be catastrophic. Despite the seriousness of the future of our planet, many people find it difficult to imagine what changes need to be made and how we can collaboratively make those changes. Books and movies provide great information, but often create little lasting change or action. Is there really a way to experience the Earth and understand all of its resources in a way that captures the imagination, creates curiosity, and offers hands-on experiences meant to help people understand sustainability? Townsend believes Earthpark™ can do all of this and more. It will provide growth and expansion of knowledge for its visitors for the betterment of our world. It is a big vision, but solving big problems often requires big thinking.

What Is Earthpark™?

Earthpark™, planning to open in 2011, will be a learning experience for all the senses featuring four acres of tropical rainforest, a 600,000-gallon aquarium, and more than 1,000 species of plants and small animals in a re-created ecosystem. The facility, located on 240 acres in rural Iowa, will also allow visitors to roam prairies as well as woodlands and trails. It will incorporate campsites, research labs, a green hotel, retail space, and a green utility infrastructure powered by alternative and renewable energy sources.

The Earthpark™ idea is similar to an already established project, the Eden Project, located in Cornwall, England. In fact, the lead architect of the Eden Project, Grimshaw Architects, collaborated with Earthpark’s team in the early stages and remains in a supporting role as Earthpark™ moves forward.

What Will Visitors Experience?

Earthpark™ hopes to be a totally immersive experience for visitors. Featured planned environments include an Amazon rainforest with a series of 100-foot-high catwalks in the canopy for a bird’s eye view, a chance to stroll through the flowering prairie, a multi-level aquarium, and opportunities to see exotic wildlife and living plants. In addition to the environments, Earthpark™ will also feature a science literacy center, multimedia galleries, changing exhibits, educational programs and many other facets, all related to the theme of “inspiring generations.”

Earthpark™ Is a Green Facility

The design and construction of Earthpark™ will be done with sustainability and conservation at the forefront. Earthpark’s biomes will be constructed with ETFE foil, which is highly efficient, super insulated and provides energy savings. A mix of alternative and renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal will be used to power the facility. Earthpark™ also plans to use a water collection system that will capture and recycle up to a third of annual precipitation.

What Will the Earthpark™ Experience Teach Us?

The hope of Earthpark’s founder and the team behind the entire project is to create awareness and collaboration among people in the areas of ecology, science and the future of our world. All the integrated features of Earthpark™ are being designed with the idea that an educated populace is better equipped to take care of its planet. The project is expecting thousands, if not millions, of visitors to the facility once it opens. As a family destination, Earthpark™ can promote a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around us while stressing the importance of taking care of that world. For scientists, researchers and visionaries, the Earthpark™ campus will be one where ideas can be shared, learning can be acquired, and new big visions for the future can be born. After all, the future of the planet is in our hands and once people are given the tools and knowledge to care for our planet, they can best work to make the Earthpark™ vision a reality.