Our Partners' Green Initiatives

Our Green Gala Partners strive each day to carryout a positive effect on the environment utilizing green initiatives and a commitment to sustainable business practices. Here's how our partners achieve this goal:

AEGON

As a global company, AEGON has global responsibilities. We believe that business success is not incompatible with a respect for the environment, human rights and the broader communities in which we operate.

Amtrak

Amtrak provides one of the lowest carbon footprint (CO2 per passenger mile) methods of intercity travel - compared to car and air travel. We have voluntarily committed to reduce our diesel locomotive emissions by 6 percent from 2003 to 2010 (from the baseline years of 1998-2001) with our membership in the Chicago Climate Exchange. Passengers can also take advantage of an alliance with Carbonfund.org to purchase offsets online for carbon neutral travel on Amtrak.

bluehouse

bluehouse is a true hub for modern, green, and healthy living. Not only do we feature a full range of eco-friendly furnishings and flooring and organic mattresses and linens, we also sell green housewares, gifts, carpeting, and more. Wherever possible, we have used green or recycled materials to build our Harbor East location, which also features a full-service cafe featuring organic beverages and healthy light fare items. We also recycle as much waste as possible, including our coffee grounds, and offset our operational carbon footprint.

Bowie & Jensen

Bowie & Jensen, LLC is proud to be a partner of the National Aquarium in Baltimore's Green Gala. Bowie & Jensen is a "paperless" law firm that supports green initiatives. The firm has invested in technology that permits the collection, production and review of documents electronically, which virtually eliminates the need for paper in business transactions and litigation. The firm also attempts to recycle any paper that is created or sent to the office.

The Classic Catering People

At The Classic Catering People, how food is raised and harvested is as important as the taste and presentation. The Classic Catering People is making strides to purchase area organic produce and meats as well as fish from sustainable populations. In addition to the flavor, freshness and quality, both our team members and clients concur with our efforts to support the movement toward green and environmentally friendly foods.

Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT)

Corporate Office Properties Trust has been at the forefront of green development in the office sector, and is a leader in the industry. We have been committed to designing, building, operating and maintaining facilities in a truly sustainable way since 2003, when we committed to building every new building to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Core & Shell Silver certification standards. We currently have three buildings certified in the LEED program at the Gold level, three at the Silver level, and 20+ additional buildings registered in the LEED program. In addition, we have eight LEED Accredited Professionals on our team. Our participation in the LEED program demonstrates our commitment to quality, efficiency and responsible management of resources. We believe a high performance building is a good neighbor, a good business partner to the community, and that it creates an environment that inspires success.

emPivot.com

emPivot.com is the new on-line video network for the environment where you can watch and share green-related videos from organizations, companies and people from all walks of life. emPivot's commitment to the environment goes beyond its video content and on-line community. The company is dedicated to using green technology, supporting local non-partisan efforts to improve environmental quality, and empower businesses and organizations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

EnviRelation

We manage the relationship between the hospitality industry and the environment, in order to enhance environmental stewardship and sustainability. EnviRelation offers a food composting service to food-related businesses. By composting organics, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, contribute to cleaner local water ecosystems, preserve biodiversity, and promote healthier living and communities.

Foster's Wine Estates

Our commitment to making quality wines begins in our vineyards and carries through our winemaking activities. Underlying that core of quality is a strongly held sense of responsibility to operate in a sustainable way that balances environment, community and business priorities. Foster's Wine Estates is a leader in sustainable farming practices in all of our owned and leased vineyards in California, Australia, New Zealand and Italy (over 32,000 acres).

GreenConnected.com

GreenConnected.com offers a national online community that connects companies and non-profits providing or using Green products and services. Learn how to go green by searching for company products and news in 11 areas of Green. Register your company or non-profit and actively chronicle your green progress while connecting to providers and suppliers around the world.

Johnson Controls, Inc.

Whether you're at home, in a car, or in an office or workplace, chances are there is a Johnson Controls product or service nearby, helping to make your environment more comfortable, safe and sustainable. Johnson Controls creates smart environments that improve the places where people spend most of their time.

KCI Technologies, Inc.

KCI Technologies, Inc. (KCI) is proud to sponsor the National Aquarium in Baltimore's first annual Green Gala. KCI's over 1,000 engineers, planner, scientists, and construction managers are dedicated to incorporating sustainable design features into each of our projects. We are members of the US Green Building Council and our staff includes LEED Accredited Professionals. KCI's commitment to sustainable design is reflected in the design of our new corporate headquarters building, which is being built to LEED Silver standards in Sparks, MD.

Legg Mason

Legg Mason is committed to the environment and to making Baltimore, as well as our world, a more sustainable and better place to live. In addition to managing socially responsible investment products, we are a member of the Carbon Disclosure Group and our new 2009 global headquarters building in Inner Harbor East is being designed for LEED certification. We are also coordinating firm-wide efforts to reduce material use and to increase energy efficiency, and we are encouraging our employees to make smarter green choices in their daily lives. Legg Mason recognizes that all of us can make a difference and we especially applaud the National Aquarium's conservation work.

M&T Bank

M&T Bank's Environmental Committee is responsible for reviewing all of the bank's business practices to create a strategy for improving energy efficiency and promoting environmentally responsible business practices. M&T's Government Banking division works with local government offices throughout several states to finance public energy efficiency projects and the M&T Foundation actively supports dozens of environmental organizations, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The Rachuba Group

The Rachuba Group is on the forefront of developing and implementing green building guidelines and techniques for the residential homebuyer. We are working in conjunction with the National Association of Homebuilders to achieve this goal.

Reliant Energy

Reliant Energy is an active supporter of environmental initiatives. We offer renewable energy options with all of our competitive retail electricity supply products in all of the regions we serve. Reliant also meets or exceeds environmental regulations at all of the 16,000 MW of power generation facilities it operates and has employed innovative technologies to reduce emissions.

Toyota

Nearly two thirds of all hybrid vehicles sold in America are Toyotas. The Prius, Highlander, and Camry hybrids all achieve outstanding MPG, while maintaining plenty of power and performance. The Prius is America's most fuel efficient car, based on R.L. Polk 2008 EPA estimates. Visit www.fueleconomy.gov for details.

Venable, LLP

As part of its efforts to promote sustainable business practices and achieve a greener future, Venable LLP has introduced a variety of eco-friendly policies and procedures throughout its workplaces, including energy-efficient lighting, recycling programs, and an increase in the use of non-paper and recycled products. Venable recognizes that achieving a sustainable future requires contributions from all of us, and thus is a founding sponsor of Public Interest Intellectual Property Advisors, Inc., a global non-profit resource for those seeking intellectual property advice on issues related to the promotion of health, agriculture, biodiversity, science and environmental issues in developing nations.

Revised March 25, 2008