Pepco’s WaterShed Sustainability Center has received Corporate Lands for Learning certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC). Pepco’s environmental stewardship was formally recognized at an awards banquet Tuesday during the WHC’s 26th Annual Symposium.

The Corporate Lands for Learning certification recognizes corporate lands that offer first-hand learning opportunities by using the habitat as a tool for teaching people to explore ecological concepts and the human role in conservation and encourage young people to explore careers in science- and math-based disciplines.

“Pepco takes its role in environmental stewardship seriously and is committed to educating our customers about energy efficient and environmentally friendly practices,” said Dave Velazquez, executive vice president, Power Delivery, for Pepco Holdings Inc. “This recognition of this example of our stewardship is very gratifying.”

Pepco purchased the WaterShed Sustainability Center from the University of Maryland after its first-place victory among 19 competitors in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2011 Solar Decathlon. The company believed the WaterShed Sustainability Center deserved a permanent home to continue its service to the community as a center for sustainable design as well as educate customers on the benefits of energy efficiency and company investments in smart grid technologies.

The Pepco WaterShed Sustainability Center features a solar home and hands-on, interactive displays that educate visitors with energy-saving ideas they can apply in their own homes. If you can't visit in person, the Helpful Ways to Save brochure is another source for energy saving tips.

The WaterShed Sustainability Center located at Pepco’s Rockville Service Center is open to the public and is a unique outing opportunity for students and educators. Visitors are encouraged to see comfortable, sustainable and energy-efficient practices at work. For large groups, organizers are asked to contact Scott Tjaden at watershed@pepco.com to schedule a visit.

Pepco's transmission rights of way in Maryland and the Benning Service Center in the District of Columbia are also WHC-certified as Wildlife at Work.