POTOMAC, MD.- Glenstone Museum opened its Environmental Center, including a 7,200-square-foot building that embodies the latest thinking in sustainability, with an opening ceremony. The Center advances the environmental stewardship that is central to the mission of Glenstone, where the landscape has been designed to complement and frame the architecture and artworks, and the architecture has been designed in response to the natural landscape.

The ceremony featured remarks by Emily Rales, Director and Co-Founder, Glenstone Museum; Ben Grumbles, Secretary, Maryland Department of Environmental Protection; Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Executive; and Paul Tukey, Chief Sustainability Officer, Glenstone Museum.

“At Glenstone, we have committed ourselves to protect and nurture the landscape just as we care for our buildings and works of art,” said Emily Rales. “We feel that everyone has an interest in environmental stewardship. Everyone can play a role. That’s why we’re proud to be inaugurating the Environmental Center as an integral, public-facing part of Glenstone, and delighted to welcome friends from the state, the county, and the community who are all making their own vital contributions.”

The Environmental Center facilitates the sustainable practices of Glenstone’s grounds maintenance operations and provides an opportunity for visitors to learn how they can adapt sustainable practices in their own homes and businesses through hands-on presentations and exhibits focusing on some of Glenstone’s efforts, including organic landscaping, composting, recycling, reforestation, management of invasive species, stream restoration, and water management. A few examples of Glenstone’s sustainability efforts include:

· Maintaining its nearly 300 acres of landscape with 100% organic practices
· Planting more than 8,000 trees since 2013
· Restoring more than 9,200 feet of stream bed around the property
· Recycling more than 80% of office waste and food scraps

Glenstone was founded to achieve a seamless integration of art, architecture, and landscape. The Environmental Center brings the public behind the scenes of creating that ideal experience and helps keep Glenstone at the forefront of environmental stewardship.

At the event, Glenstone announced that the Museum will continue to offer guaranteed entry to visitors who arrive by the Montgomery County Ride On bus. The initiative launched as a test in January to encourage visitors to use public transportation and to reduce the museum’s carbon footprint.

Glenstone also received its Montgomery County Green Business recertification, a program designed to encourage businesses and other organizations to take steps that reduce their ecological footprint. The recertification was offered by Marc Elrich.

The Environmental Center will be open Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. and is a self-guided experience. Glenstone associates and experts will also offer regular programming for visitors interested in learning more about sustainability practices.