In the spring of 2002, North Carolina State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences began greenroof research in the areas of stormwater and nitrogen and phosphorus removal, the first such study in the U.S. The North Carolina greenroof demonstration sites are located in Raleigh, Kinston and Goldsboro and their purpose is threefold in regards to stormwater: to determine the quantity, quality and temperature reduction of stormwater runoff. Plant growth is also studied.

The Neuseway Nature Center in Kinston, NC is the first extensive greenroof in eastern North Carolina, and is situated on a 3% pitch roof, funded by NCSU Cooperative Extension. The existing roof was reinforced with added trusses and was constructed by the City of Kinston.

Materials were donated by Carolina Stalite and American Hydrotech. The growth media is 4″ (10 cm) deep with a PermaTill Lightweight Roof Garden Soil Mix of 55% PermaTill (Stalite 5/16″ expanded slate), 30% USG Rootzone Sand, and 15% approved compost.