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Sky Gardens Blog ~ Read Linda's new
posting, "What I Did on
My Summer Vacation..."
to see what we've been up to lately. First off, we'll
soon inaugurate our new "Sky Gardens" WebTV
series where Linda will be your host on
Greenroofs.TV. We're initiating our series highlighting
greenroofs in the U.S. starting with the beautiful and
award-winning Rock Mill Park in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Look for posts from all of our contributing editors, too.
Speaking of which, we'll soon be welcoming a new
editor - info to follow!
The 2009 Greenroofs of the World Calendar:
Once
again, we're compiling beautiful photos from around
the world. Send us 2009 green events info with
confirmed dates and locations for inclusion in the
calendar by the end of September:
events@greenroofs.com. This year it will be
available
for purchase much earlier, in time for gift giving.
The
Greenroof Projects Database:
We're up to 731 profiles, and are looking for a few
student interns to assist us with data collection and
entry. We collaborate with numerous individuals,
organizations and governmental bodies to share this
international resource, and could use some more
helping hands. Contact:
linda@greenroofs.com.
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The 2008 Greenroofs of the World 12-Month
Wall Calendar! Stay up to date with international
green building events in our 11" x 18" full-color glossy
Calendar featuring beautiful living roofs from around
the world, each with a link to its profile in The
Greenroof Projects Database.
August features Conservation Technology and
Optigreen's "Barrel-Vaulted Private Residence." This
beautiful 38° barrel-vaulted private residence is
located near the Bavarian Alps in Kempten, Germany,
and sprouts a variety of local grasses, flowering
herbs, and succulents. The Optigrün or Optigreen
greenroof system consists of a drainage mat,
mechanical slope stabilization system, and planting
by vegetation mats.
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| Industry News |
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Green Roofs for Healthy
Cities:
The Green Walls Group (GWG), a
Corporate Member sub-committee of Green Roofs for
Healthy Cities - North America, Inc. announces the
first green wall research grant in North America. The
deadline for the RFP has been extended to October
13, 2008 - 5pm EST. Application guidelines are
available at www.greenroofs.org. [8.01.08]
New York City:
Championed by the S.W.I.M. (Storm Water
Infrastructure Matters) Coalition, owners in New
York
City who install green rooftops will now receive a
significant tax credit under a bill (A.11226 Diaz
R/S.7553 Lanza) sponsored
by Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr. that passed the state
legislature on June 24, 2008 and signed by New York
State Governor Paterson on August 8, 2008. Green
roofs must be
installed on at least 50 percent of available rooftop
space to qualify for a one-year property tax credit of up
to $100,000. The credit would be equal to $4.50 per
square-foot of roof area that is planted with vegetation.
[8.08.08]
The
University of Sheffield and The Green Roof Centre:
Green roof testing & accreditation - is there a need for
this service in the UK? The University of Sheffield
and
The Green Roof Centre are currently calling
for views
from architects, developers, roofers and
manufacturers and companies involved with the green
roof industry. Jeff Sorrill, manager of The Green Roof
Centre, says, "We want to hear your views on the
testing and accreditation of green roof specific
products and materials in the UK. We would be
grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete
a short questionnaire." Please follow this link to
participate: Green Roof Questionnaire. [8.10.08]
The DIY Guide to Green & Living Roofs: The
DIY
Guide to Green & Living Roofs is a Do It Yourself
Guide for the amateur, small scale building /
landscaping contractor, community groups, DIY
enthusiast and all who want to enliven roofs with soils
and plants. John Little of The Grassroof Company and
Dusty Gedge of Livingroofs have joined forces to
provide a practical guide to creating small scale green
roofs. [8.16.08]
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U.S.
Campuses give 'green' that old college
try
U.S. universities are trying to reduce their carbon
footprints; last month Congress approved funding for
universities to offer more academic programs in
sustainability and improve energy efficiency on
campus. Schools in PA aren't waiting for the grants,
which aren't likely to begin until 2010 and could end
up less than the projected $50 million total.
Greenroofs being installed on dorms and other
buildings. Susan Snyder reporting. [08.25.08]
See also these related stories:
KS and MO: Putting down the roots: Grass roofs latest
trend in green building; VA: Students plant green roof on Seitz
Hall; TX: Buildings to sport plans on roofs to improve
sustainability; and IL: Roof taking root on UIS building
San Francisco, CA
California Academy of Sciences Poised to
Open New Green Quarters
GreenerBuildings' Leslie Guevarra talks about the
exciting opening of the new CAS in September.
Already an award-winning facility, the building is
crowned by a 2.5-acre living roof. [08.22.08]
The World
Blue Covenant The Alternative Water Future
What an interesting article! Maude Barlow discusses
the three water crises - dwindling freshwater
supplies, inequitable access to water, and the
corporate control of water - and how they pose the
greatest threat of our time to the planet and to our
survival. Roof gardens in family homes and office
buildings are encouraged along with urban planning
that allows rainwater to be captured and returned to
the earth. Via Monthly Review. [08.20.08]
Beijing, China
A "Gold" for China: Olympic Village Receives LEED
Award
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson presented
Chinese officials with a LEED Gold award for the 2008
Olympic village on August 13. Olivia Chen of Inhabitat
says the world-class development boasts a variety of
sustainable features including solar panels, green
roofs, and an extensive rainwater recycling system.
Cool photos. [08.18.08]
Los Angeles, CA
Food garden blooms on skid row
wall
The Los Angeles Times' Cara Mia DiMassa talks to
formerly homeless members of the gardening group
at the Rainbow Apartments, just one of four sites
where Urban Farming erected "edible" walls. George
Irwin, president of Green Living Technologies and our
Green Walls Editor, donated the living wall systems.
[08.14.08]
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| Featured Sponsor |
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Green Roof Safari: Introducing North
America's first
guided European green roof tours, register now for
your seat on
Green Roof Safari, a 6-day study tour of
green roofs in Germany and Switzerland! Green Roof
Safari offers the rare opportunity for North American
professionals to access a diversity of green roof
projects in Germany and Switzerland, and to meet with
local experts. Two tours in 2008: September 8 - 13
and September 22 - 27.
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Green Roof Blocks introduces their newest
green roof innovation, Green Paks, the easiest and most
affordable way to own a green roof. These knitted
polyethylene green roof modules are pre-filled with
lightweight engineered soil. Simply cover the roof area
with Green Paks, insert the plants of your choice, and
start enjoying your green roof. Green Paks are fast,
easy, and affordable and carry a twenty year limited
warranty.
Click here for the full page color brochure in
The Greenroof Directory
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Exclusives |
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Ralph Velasquez's new "Sustainable Roofing
Technologies" column takes on a personal bent.
Ralph and his wife Lea are in the process of building
a new sustainable home in Tennessee, and Ralph
shares some of the trials and tribulations of
downsizing and dealing with people from local
government and insurance officials to lenders and
others. Read his article "It's not easy being green!"
Ed Snodgrass, our Plant Editor, is back with
his
latest "Ask Ed" column titled "Bulbs on roofs?" Fall is the time to plant
bulbs and green roofs have
been largely left out of the bulb discussion. Are bulbs
part of a green roof planting plan? Can bulbs work on
thin system green roofs? Read to find out!
Have you read George Irwin's article, "How Does Your Garden Grow?......Vertical!"
yet? The Green Walls
Editor discusses vertical gardening from his own
family's experience with cultivating squash,
cucumbers, strawberries, and much more. And he's
been getting a lot of press lately after his installation of
four green garden walls in Los Angeles - see
NewsLinks.
Forums:
We're finding that along with a great variety of topics,
readers are posting questions here that are
potential leads for greenroof service and
material providers. Make sure you read these
postings every now and then!
Welcome to our newest Premium Listing
Advertiser:
Living Roofs, Emilio Ancaya.
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