DNR Continues To Lead By Example, Saving Over $73,000 With Web Conferencing In Six Months

Annapolis, Md. (July 20, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is leading by example by offering web conferencing as a mechanism to avoid the expense, environmental impact, and productivity losses associated with employee travel. During the first six months of 2010, web conferencing saved the agency $73,658 in direct costs.

In October 2009, DNR established a contract with a web conferencing service that features a “green meter” that tracks DNR’s savings. In 2010 so far, the department has saved 409,300 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and 916,070 miles of employee commute in the 13,252 minutes that DNR employees spent using the service. DNR pays a fixed cost of approximately $22,000 per year for the web conferencing service, resulting in a net savings of over $50,000 for the agency.

All Maryland agencies, facilities, and programs are taking steps to go green and support Governor Martin O’Malley’s Smart, Green & Growing initiative. Internet-based meeting solutions are one of the many ways the State is reducing its carbon footprint.

“The option of web conferencing has provided tremendous savings for DNR,” said Len Singel, assistant director of DNR Information Technology Services. “The great thing about this alternative is that any DNR employee can sign up for an account and start using it. It’s not just for executives.”

To learn more about Maryland’s efforts to lead by example, visit http://www.green.maryland.gov/leading_by_example.html.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov