Green Buildings

For the well being of the children, the staff, and the environment, the agency has decided to make the West Ranch residential care facility a green building. A green building is a building, which in its design, construction, and operation, makes a minimal draw on non-renewable resources and gives high priority to respecting the physical environment.

When designing and constructing a green building or sustainable building, BYS has learned that numerous criteria must apply to the construction yields. Those criteria include considerations and provisions for:

Appropriate use of land.
Efficient use of water, energy, lumber and other resources.
Enhancement of human health.
Strengthening of local economies and communities.
Conservation of plants, animals, endangered species, and natural habitats.
Protection of agricultural, cultural, and archaeological resources.
Personal satisfaction of the living environment (Be nice to live in).
Economy of building, operation and maintenance.

West Ranch

Our New West Ranch

Butterfield Youth Services' West Ranch was established in 1971 with the purpose of serving the needs of children with Level 3 behavior. The old West Ranch served its purpose; however Butterfield Youth Services outgrew the old ranch and was in need of a newer, larger West Ranch.

In October 2003, we launched our Building Fund Drive to finance the building of the New West Ranch. In June 2004, a ground breaking ceremony took place and shortly thereafter, the construction began. On February 14, 2005, the new and improved West Ranch was opened. This was the best valentine gift one could ask for. Seven boys and 14 staff members enjoyed the opening with one staff member having worked for Butterfield Youth Services 15 years and another veteran of 27 years of service.

The New West Ranch has given us more space to serve more children. It also has 10 single bedrooms whereas the old West Ranch had only 3 singles and 3 double bedrooms. Our new ranch provides the children a large living room, dining room, recreation room, as well as a basketball court out back. The New West Ranch offers a more home-like feel, rather than a residential atmosphere. We are now able to serve level 4 children at the New West Ranch, which is considered to be the highest level of care for children at Butterfield Youth Services.