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WESTBOROUGH – Mark Tisa remembered the old Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters – an old brick building with no air conditioning; a lack of heat during the winter; trailers with no bathrooms; very little space for meetings or programs.
“You either sweated or you froze,” he said.
In 2012, Tisa – a biologist by training – heard that someone was needed to lead the project for a new headquarters.
He was that someone.
“I said I’d give it the old college try,” said Tisa.
Two years and one team effort later, the new field headquarters – known as the Richard Cronin Building – was ready to go.
“It was one of the most rewarding experiences,” said Tisa, who has worked for Massachusetts Wildlife for 38 years and currently serves as the headquarters director.
The building overlooks more than 900 acres that comprises the MacCallum Wildlife Management Area. It is a “modern-looking building,” according to Tisa, but the true measure of this building appears inside and out.
The headquarters – built by Architerra Inc. – is the state’s first zero net energy building, designed to produce as much energy on site from renewable sources as it consumes. It has earned LEED platinum certification.
“This building actually works,” he said.
The site includes solar panels; geothermal heating and cooling; triple-glazed, low-emission windows; skylights and high windows.
The woodwork came from wildlife management areas from other parts of the state. Even the trout pond is “in house” – the water from a 3,000-gallon pond that is recirculated constantly, and the fish from Massachusetts Wildlife hatcheries.
“The kids love looking at the fish,” said Tisa.
In addition to providing a nice home for the fish, the pond serves as white noise for the staff.
The headquarters includes two necropsy labs – one for animals, one for fish – as well as several meeting rooms and an outdoor area with a sweeping view of the area.
With all it has to offer, inside and out, Tisa said he’s surprised the headquarters “hasn’t captured more attention.”
“It’s one of the best-kept secrets in the area,” he said.
Archery program
The Westborough site is taking part in a new pilot program – archery.
A temporary range has been set up in the lower field; access is just off the parking lot, next to the Lake Chauncy trail. There are several targets, set at different distances.
“The idea is to create a better experience for everyone,” said Ian Sypek, the site’s outdoor education specialist.
The range will be available at the site until the end of July. It’s BYOB (bring your own bow and arrows).
Trail shoes or boots are also recommended, since the trail to the range is rough.
Sign up for a free range pass via bit.ly/archery-ranges-2024.
