In May, Green Dean had the opportunity to check out the green roof on top of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) headquarters in Washington DC. Completed in the spring of 2006, theASLA Green Roof continues to be a model, laboratory and classroom for anyone interested in the green roof movement.

So, what's the big deal about putting plants on your roof? Well, tiny grasshopper, green roofs have significant benefits for the community, occupants, and individual building owners. Green roofs help to control stormwater run-off, make ambient air cooler, reduce building operating costs and INCREASE property values! Plus, they are a heck of alot prettier than air conditioning units and pitch tar! Temperatures on the ASLA Green Roof have been as much as 32 degrees cooler than surrounding black roofs. That means saving $$$ in cooling costs!

But, this isn't just for the Big City folk, residential green roofs are on the rise and companies offering this expertise are popping up all over the country. Look, here's one now!

Now, I know what you are asking yourself...there isn't a subdivision covenant in this galaxy that will allow me to have a green roof. No, not yet, but also think about where we work and where kids go to school. The potential for installing green roofs is almost infinite! The ASLA Green Roof is open to the public for tours (reservations required) and you can call all your friends and tell them to watch you on the webcam! Teachers, ASLA also offers a great learning website about green roofs and resources for your students.

Check out these links for more green roof info:

http://www.dcgreenworks.org/

http://www.greenroofs.org/

http://www.epa.gov/hiri/strategies/greenroofs.html

http://www.greenroofs.com/