Nelson Buck Robinson
Buck was an extraordinary man with a long history of environmental activism. This brief biography highlights his contributions in the areas of renewable energy, organic agriculture practices, and tenets which guided his life.
In 1970, he founded ESSEX COUNTY ECOLOGY CENTER, in Rockport, MA. The center has a non-profit organization designation and is funded solely through the operation of Toad Hall Bookstore, a small independent bookstore serving the local Cape Ann community. From an initial investment of $16,000, the bookstore now generates annual sales of over $330,000. All profits roll into the foundation. Grants from the foundation to the community for local environmental activities have averaged $4300 per year.
In 1978, Buck founded the CAMBRIDGE ALTERNATIVE POWER COMPANY in Cambridge, MA, a retail store specializing in sales and installation of alternative energy products such as solar hot water systems, wood stoves, multi-fuel boilers and windmills. He sold the company in 1984, when sales were approximately $1 million.
In 1980, to expand the scope of the business into all of New England, he founded CAPCO ENERGY SUPPLY in Burlington, MA. This company was a wholesale distributorship of energy-conscious residential heating equipment including boilers, furnaces, water heaters, solar systems and cooling systems.
The company now has annual sales of $5 million and is providing
energy-efficient systems to homes and businesses throughout our region.
In 1981, Buck was the volunteer executive producer of a thirty-six minute film about the work of Amory Lovins, entitled LOVINS ON THE SOFT PATH. It introduces the concept of a soft energy path which features energy conservation and the appropriate use of renewable energy. The film won blue ribbons at four major film festivals, including the American Film Festival. Since the film was made, Amory Lovins has received numerous awards including the prestigious McArthur grant.
In 1988, Buck and his wife Caroline designed a cabin that is virtually energy self-sufficient. It is not connected to the power grid. Although there are hardships at times when the batteries run low, the electricity is made from photovoltaic (PV) modules on the roof. Heat and hot water come from a high efficiency wood-fired boiler and seasonal solar domestic hot water (dhw) system. Refrigeration and a backup 5 kilowatt generator are the only links to the fossil fuel world. Both the generator and the refrigerator are powered by propane. The cabin uses so little propane, however, that the propane company says that the Robinsons cannot have an account with them unless they buy the propane tanks.
In 1993, Buck and Caroline founded BERRY HILL FARM in Stratham, NH, a
certified organic farm specializing in all types of berries. The farm is
a New
Hampshire Farm of Distinction and until recently was the largest producer
of organic berries in the state.
Last but not least, Buck drove a hybrid, electric-gasoline Prius automobile since its release in 2000, carrying the license plate 48+ MPG. The car stimulated countless conversations and Buck’s enthusiasm sold many more hybrid cars for Toyota. The Robinsons added the new 2004 Prius to their family as well......and it carries the license plate 55+ MPG.
Buck set the curve for environmental activism!
In his memory, The Jordan Institute has instituted the annual Nelson B.
Robinson Award which recognizes environmental activism and promotion of
scientific
discovery or entrepreneurial innovation in the field of renewable energy.
© 1997-2007 The Jordan Institute, Inc.