Green-raising

There's a great article in today's Wall Street Journal about environmentally-friendly fundraising. With concerns about environmental and human health making headline news, some clever entrepreneurs (is that an oxy-moron?) have developed companies that help you find eco-friendly products with which to fund-raise, and replace the more traditional yummy, but unhealthy cookies and candy offerings. Whether that's recycled wrapping paper, or shade-grown coffee that benefits the ecosystem and songbirds impacted by pesticides, there's someone out there that can help connect you to a good source.

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, our Gift and Bookstore is always looking for eco-friendly gift ideas and recently introduced the first eco-plush animal into its inventory. The penguin--in honor of the newly re-imagined Splash Zone--is made from 100% soy fiber with Kapok stuffing, a sustainable rainforest crop that comes from the seed pod of the Kapok tree.