Plant campaign joins green infrastructure partnership
HorticultureWeek, by Staff
UK. "Greening the UK, the HTA-led campaign to promote plants and open green spaces, has joined Defra's fledgling Green Infrastructure Partnership. The partnership, launched last October to initially run for two years, aims to promote green infrastructure such as green roofs and pocket parks to support ecological networks, healthier communities and economic growth...Among the reports it has published is Green Democratic Deficit, which revealed that developers were not sticking to landscape and planting conditions of their planning applications..." [5.18.12]
"Green" Roof on Austin High School Building
KIMT, by Natalie Tendall
Austin, MN. "...It may look like they are starting a garden...with the greenery and sunlight...but they are actually creating something known as green roofing technology. A energy conservation method that has a variety of different uses. Environmental Science Teacher Josh Dumas said, 'They will actually act as insulation in the Winter, help keep it warm and they also help slow the water run-off to help with flooding in the Spring'...this teacher hopes the green roof project is an example to the students..." [5.17.12] Brooklyn Botanic Garden Opens Green Visitors Center
NY1.com, by Roger Clark
Brooklyn, NY. "With a snip of the garland Brooklyn Botanic Garden's new visitor's center officially opened to the public Wednesday...Among the additions is a living roof with more that 40,000 grasses, spring bulbs and perennial wildflowers. The roof is one of a number of environmentally sustainable features of the nearly two block long structure...In addition to the roof, the visitor center is landscaped with some 60,000 new plants. Inside is an orientation gallery, a garden shop, a leaf-shaped event space, and interpretive exhibits..." [5.16.12] Forest Heights cracks down on stormwater pollution
Gazette.Net, by Daniel J. Gross
Forest Heights, MD. "...The town’s efforts to convert its grounds into a demonstration site to show others how to eliminate stormwater runoff began in 2007, when the Town Council planted a small number of trees along the parking lot as a way to catch polluted water leaving the lot. Additional efforts took off in 2008 when the town converted its dilapidated roof to a green roof — one lined with vegetative garden beds to consume and filter rainfall..." [5.16.12]
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In their recent report, Banking on Green, American Rivers explained the many benefits of using green roofs and other techniques like rain gardens and green streets to save money, reduce energy use and flooding, and keep people healthy and water clean. Now, working with Goodby Silverstein & Partners they’ve just released Get More Green – an interactive tool that let’s you virtually “green” a roof in your own community to find out how much money you’ll save in heating and cooling costs as well as how much dirty water you’ll keep out of your local river!
