LandStudies, Inc. and the Octoraro Native Plant Nursery, Inc. in Lancaster County were among the 21 founding members of the Businesses for the Bay recognized by The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Wednesday.

Through its Businesses for the Bay program, the Alliance helps businesses, both large and small, throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed to support the environment by taking voluntarily and measurable actions to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed lands, rivers, and streams.

Businesses for the Bay provides a network for its Members to share environmental strategies and success stories with each other and partners, as well as opportunities for Members to engage their employees in environmental efforts.

All Businesses for the Bay Member actions align with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

This membership association is designed to meet contemporary corporate sustainability goals and help the public understand the critical role of the business community in the environment.

Through Businesses for the Bay, the Alliance spotlights the valuable role each Member is playing in Bay restoration efforts.

“We support efforts in communicating that Economic and Environmental benefits co-exist and can be embraced by the business community in tangible, substantive ways,” said Kelly Gutshall, President of LandStudies, Inc. “Communities that embrace this strategy are providing functional open spaces that reduce flooding and improve water quality.   We are proud to be part of this program.”

"Since our inception, we have taken measures in our day to day operations to protect the natural resources of the Octoraro Watershed and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Jim MacKenzie, President of Octoraro Native Plant Nursery. “Businesses for the Bay provides an opportunity to share these strategies with other progressive industry leaders and begin to quantify the impacts of these measures. 

“We're excited to be a part of this program and believe it has some tremendous upside for the private sector to show how it's contributing to water quality and other community and health benefits throughout the region,” added MacKenzie.

“Through Businesses for the Bay, businesses are making a positive impact on Chesapeake Bay restoration, expanding their own sustainability programs, and being recognized for their environmental successes,” said Corinne Stephens, the Alliance’s Business Partnerships Manager.

Click Here for a description of Businesses for the Bay activities by LandStudies, Inc. and  Click Here for the Octoraro Native Plant Nursery, Inc.

Businesses for the Bay is currently welcoming Members, Sponsors, and Networking Partners.

For more information, visit the Businesses for the Bay webpage and The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay website.

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6/13/2016