Almost two years ago, Target Field was named the "Greenest Ballpark in America" by the U.S. Green Building Council and earned LEED  Silver certification for New Construction. Last week, it was announced that the Twins have now become the first professional sports franchise to also attain LEED Silver Certification for the operation and maintenance of their facility.

According to a club statement, Target Field's latest certification helps building owners measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. The certification is awarded based on independent, third-party verification of performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. According to the release, the club's sustainability programs include:

• Capturing, purifying and reusing more than 686,360 gallons of rainwater in 2011, drastically reducing the use of municipal water, through a custom-designed Rain Water Recycle System provided by Minneapolis-based Pentair.

• Keeping more than 1,762 cubic yards of waste out of local landfills through an aggressive recycling and waste-to-energy program.

• Reducing the use of electricity by 12.1 percent, despite adding a new video board in right field and additional radiant heating units in the concourses.

• Donating more than 7,500 pounds of unused food, along with concession partner Delaware North Companies Sportservice, to local charities during the 2011 season, thus also keeping that waste out of local landfills.

"We're proud to have earned LEED certification for the operation of our facility and will continue to seek ways to improve the sustainability of Target Field," Twins president Dave St. Peter said in the statement.

Click here to learn more about the initiatives at Target Field and how Marsden Bldg Maintenance manages the aggressive green program.