| |
may 2004 Environmental Horticulturalist & Greenroof Product Manager Greenroofs - From the Classroom to the Boardroom
By Janet Faust
All Photos Courtesy Janet Faust
Unlike my predecessors who have prepared articles for this column, I would like to share a unique perspective that may bring enlightenment both to students who are moving into this line of work and those professionals already in the greenroof market. My message relates to the prospects that exist for synergy between education and the greenroof industry. As an adult who recently pursued and secured a second degree in Environmental Horticulture, I feel fortunate now to be working in a job that promotes greenroofs. I foresee the road may someday be paved with golden sedums, however, today, we trod as pioneers headed west.
Since this is the time of year that we recognize student’s graduations, and achievements, I will direct my thoughts and perspectives to students first. The horticulture classes I completed helped to prepare me for the landscape industry, but they did not prepare me for total immersion into greenroofs. Yes, I had classes that taught me components of greenroofs such as soil composition, drought tolerant plant choices, landscape design, etc. If greenroofs are your focus and interest, you must take the initiative, be creative with your course curriculum, and not be afraid to go beyond, on your own. In my case, I started my journey by taking an Independent Study course and creating my own ‘greenroof class.' I wrote an in depth research paper, designed and drafted an actual greenroof, and documented many greenroofs in our area. I continued with my required classes, though always applying greenroof concepts to what I was learning. Fortunately, my teachers wanted me to be successful. They were flexible to my aspirations, and allowed minor alterations to class assignments, when asked. Advice: Advocate for you, as no one else will.
 | Greenroof design and plant selection, part of Independent Study on greenroofs. |
During my independent study class and through an acquaintance, I met the people of JDR Enterprises, Inc., a company that manufactures prefabricated drainage composites. JDR was in the early stages of researching greenroofs and looking at possible expansion of their existing products. I made time during my studies to consult with them. Advice: Do not wait until graduation to start the job search. Knock on doors; attend tradeshows/conferences, make yourself open to a variety of arenas and educational venues. If you desire an effective and meaningful internship, consider a non-traditional approach. Collaborate with a firm in the green industry that has a focus on greenroofs. Many of the firms associated with this website can offer an interesting and unique experience on the realities of the marketplace. Advice: Volunteer if you must. If owning your own company is your dream, work for someone else in the field for one year before you invest time and money into your own company and find it is not your thing.
Fortunately for me, our Atlanta City Hall was in the middle of designing and implementing a greenroof, and JDR became involved with their project. According to the Cone of Learning (Nyland/Dale), we tend to remember 90% of what we both say and do, by doing the real thing. We retain only 10% of what we read. Personally, and for JDR’s commitment, I jumped at the opportunity to participate in the Atlanta City Hall greenroof and literally get my hands dirty. Advice: Be better than you need to be. There is no better learning than hands-on experience, even if it means donating your time and services. In addition to personally assisting with the installation of the drainage system on the City Hall greenroof, I persuaded several of my classmates to join me with the installation of the 3000 plants. Hence, a win-win for us students who want the experience, and a win-win for the city confined to tight budgets and deadlines.
 | December 2003, North Metro Technical College horticulture students assisting with the
installation of 3000 plants on Atlanta City Hall greenroof. |
Upon graduating in December 2003, JDR offered me a permanent position with their company. There are jobs, and there are jobs that matter. America faces a host of environmental issues and I want to be part of the solution. Greenroofs are just one part of the solution. The following perspectives are directed to professionals who want to create the synergy between education and the greenroof industry as mentioned above.
A Chinese proverb says, “If you are thinking one year ahead, sow seed. If you are thinking 10 years ahead, plant a tree. If you are thinking 100 years ahead, educate the people.” What, and to whom, we teach about greenroofs now is critical. I like to say it is about attitude and altitude. I recently spoke to several science classes at the local state university. A student came up after my presentation complaining that he did not like the looks of a greenroof on a sloped roof. He did not have a problem with flat roofs, as they tend not to be visible from the street, just the sloped ones that were visible. I told him it goes back to what we have been conditioned to believe what a roof should look like, black and shingled. We have to change our attitudes, teaching ‘green’ thoughts, and the earlier the age the better. Advice: We should be selling attitudes and solutions, not products. I recently visited the Battle Academy School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where a greenroof was integrated into the school structure and curriculum. These elementary age students are learning about stormwater retention, urban heat island effect, plant growth and environmental benefits that you and I never considered. These are just a few of the innovative approaches we, as a society, must develop as we seek to change positively our environment through education.
 | Battle Academy School, Chattanooga, Tennessee |
Take a minute to look at the Student Directory on this website. The list is diverse, not only the range of degrees obtained but also the states and countries we come from. Connecting to these students is one way your company can advocate and reach out. How can your company reach and participate with a school near you? Providing the supplies for a greenroof demonstration garden for the local horticulture college or high school is one way. This gives the students a model for greenroofs as well as learning new Sedum varieties in their ID gardens. How about offering to students those free tickets that we all get to tradeshows and conferences? Consider sponsoring a student to the upcoming Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities 2004 greenroof conference in Portland this June. Do you have a current position available in a related field? Post it on Greenroofs.com's JobLinks. Several universities such as Penn State and Michigan State have departments researching greenroofs. Can you be of help to them?
 | Extensive Greenroof Model, built by Janet Faust |
At left is an 'extensive’ greenroof model, built at the Environmental Horticulture Department’s ID Gardens, North Metro Technical College, Atlanta Georgia in April 2004. Constructed as a greenroof demonstration garden for students as well, it adds ten new plant varieties for students to learn in required Herbaceous ID class. There are two 3’ x 3’ sloped frames, creating the look of a sloped rooftop. Growing media is a lightweight expanded shale rooftop mix. Plants include various Sedums and Delospermas. The photos above show the steps we took to build the model at North Metro Tech.
 | Greenroof display at ‘The Urban Gardener’ garden center,
Atlanta Georgia |
Beyond the educational classroom is community involvement. Last week I provided a demonstration at a local garden center where we jointly constructed a permanent greenroof display. A permanent marker will explain ‘What are greenroofs?” There are several non-profit greenroof agencies promoting greenroofs, that give and work with the community, all can be found on this website.
What wisdom, talent, or visions are yours to share?
Janet Faust is Environmental Horticulturist-Greenroof Product Manager for JDR Enterprises, Inc. JDR manufactures a Green Roof Drainage System (J-Drain GRS). She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Housing from Florida State University and Diploma in Environmental Horticulture from North Metro Technical College, Atlanta Georgia. Janet's responsibilities at JDR include general greenroof market development and new product development for both the greenroof and landscape application markets, involvement in all phases of greenroof projects including promotional, design, development, and installation phases. She provides technical support to landscape architects, architects, contractors, and installers for greenroof projects. Janet welcomes your educational outreach ideas and solutions; e-mail jfaust14@earthlink.net or call 770.442.1461. Publisher's Note: Read Janet's Student Guest Feature article from last summer here.
Back to Top
|
