Since the foundation of the Vindolanda Trust in 1970, we have been invested in preserving our heritage and environment. This has helped us to become more environmentally friendly and look at what we can do to protect the land we hold in our care. We have always advocated in the protection of the local wildlife and native species which we are lucky enough to have on the land in our ownership. The care of collections and archaeological sites means that we are always looking for products that are environmentally safe to use. Education has also been at the forefront of what we do and delivering messages about the protection of our heritage for the future also encompasses the protection of our natural environment.

In 2009, the Trust received funding to redevelop its museums, access to the archaeological site and the redevelopment of a nineteenth-century coach house near the museum into the Hedley Centre for our volunteers. This Centre has accommodation for eight people as well as a full kitchen, common room, and conference facilities. The building was taken back to its roots, and we were able to put numerous eco-friendly measures into the building including air source heat pumps, grey water recycling and extensive insulation. This restoration is now the most eco friendly building on our property and was rated very good by BREAM upon opening in 2011.

We installed LED lights into the museums where possible. These are better for the objects, the environment and of course, have saved money on electricity. Solar panels were also installed at both museums in 2011 and an air source heat pump was installed at The Roman army Museum at the same time.

In 2020, the Robin Birley Archaeological Centre arrived on the Vindolanda site. Manufactured by the Oxfordshire based Green Unit, the ARCII is a modular building and has a stunning, curved design that mimics organic forms found in nature. The building consists of five pods – each one being custom modified to give the Trust a building which is fit for purpose. In addition to being a base for volunteers during the excavation season, the new facility has an office space and the main room is where the post-excavation processing of bulk finds takes place. The new centre is stylish, eco-friendly modular ARC building which offers the perfect level of comfort and space with minimal carbon impact and features green roofs that support biodiversity. The eco-buildings are designed around 'fabric first' and Passivhaus principles and are built from mostly natural, low impact materials to offer high performance, insulation, airtightness, and sustainability.

2021 saw continued successes in our green journey. In September, the Trust was awarded Our Green Tourism Award for both sites at the silver level, a great achievement for our first submission.  We also got a new member of the team in October, Zoe, our first EV. This full electric vehicle is used to transport stock between our two sites and for essential trips into Hexham. Along with the EV purchase the Trust invested in a charging point for staff and volunteers near the Hedley Centre. 

Our road to a sustainable future at Vindolanda is an ongoing process and we have many action points on our plan for the near future. In 2022, we are working towards:

• We are working with Intelligen International Ltd, a local company passionate about developing innovative solutions to E-bike charging stations which are off grid and powered by solar panels and wind turbines. We will be installing at the Vindolanda main West Gate admissions, a secure, off grid E-bike shelter in autumn 2022. The bike shelter will also have secure parking for push bikes. We will be installing similar shelters at the Vindolanda Museum and the Roman Army Museum soon.
• The rewilding of part of the gardens at Vindolanda is continuing. We are looking at other areas of our properties which could be rewilded.
• Installation of the Bug Mansio (Roman inn for travellers) at Vindolanda.
• Nature spotters guides for both Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum which will be available free to download from our website.
• Working with Northumberland County Council and the Rural Design Centre on wider initiatives in the community. We will also be working with Museums Development North East and colleagues at Jarrow Hall to develop a Green Champions Network North East to launch in 2022.
• We will continue to work on advocacy and training where possible within the community and further afield. Staff will be attending Carbon Literacy Training and we will be able to pass this on during full staff training early in 2023. We periodically ask staff for feedback about their working areas and procedures asking for initiatives which look at ethical and sustainable practices as well as wellbeing.
• Sustainability and the environmental impact are considered in all future projects and plans by the Trust.  The Green Policy is also reviewed in decisions regarding purchasing for the Trust from our cleaning products to archaeological tools and from shop purchases to the requirements in our holiday cottages.
   

Climate change and its effects on the environment also have a great impact on the archaeological preservation of the remains owned and protected by the Vindolanda Trust. Environmental monitoring projects have been integrated into many of our research programmes.

The most recent impact of environmental changes is evident at Magna, a currently unexcavated Roman site next to the Roman Army Museum.  Our Revealing Magna project has helped to raise awareness of global warming on archaeological remains and we are working on funding applications and research programmes to save the site from possible devastating damage due to the changing environment. Like our plans to excavate at Magna, some other eco-friendly plans must wait to find funding to progress.

Our priorities in the next few years include

• the installation of an energy efficient boiler at Vindolanda
• the review of our waste recycling programme
• the development of Electric Vehicle charging points in our carparks. 

There are numerous ongoing small changes we can make when we can. These involve the constant review of our suppliers and our processes making sure we are sourcing ethical and sustainable brands and products for the future. We encourage all staff, volunteers and visiting public to help us on this journey. 

Green Badge - Find this next to our green initiatives, ways you can be green when you visit and our research into how climate change is affecting the historical sites in our care.