The Point Reyes Hostel’s new building, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well as the California State Coastal Conservancy, has become the first LEED-designated hostel building in the country, according to a press release. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, offers certification for buildings that meet certain requirements on energy use, water efficiency, and construction materials, among other factors. The new hostel building utilized solar panels, environmentally friendly lumber and countertops made of recycled glass, as well as other sustainable materials. Native drought-resistant plants will surround the facility. The building, which has four rooms that sleep up to five people each as well as a shared kitchen, lounge and sundeck, received a gold rating, the second-highest LEED rating possible. “With this addition we continue our commitment to world understanding and conservation through travel,” Danielle Brumfitt, executive director of HI-USA Golden Gate Council, which manages the hostel for the National Park Service, said in a press release.