In the spring of 2002, the 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 Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, NC is funded by N.C. DENR, 319(h) Grant (Mid-Neuse NonPoint Source Team).

Approximately half of the flat roof is non-greened as the copntrol roof, and green roof area is divided into sections that are covered in growing media four inches and two inches deep to investigate the importance of soil depth on plant growth. Both the green and traditional rooftops are being monitored to determine runoff mitigation and nutrient reduction. Growth media was donated by Carolina Stalite; American Hydrotech supplied the greenroof waterproofing system and Green Roof Plants supplied the plants in April, 2002. Plants consist of sedum and delosperma varities.