Green Roof Primer! (Because, why not?)

As Spring hits across the country, we all get excited about landscapes greening up and blooms happening in the ground and on the trees.

Recently, I was asked by a local Master Gardener group to write about green (vegetated) roofs. This time of year, they are very busy answering horticultural questions to prepare owners for the growing season ahead, so I thought it was a timely ask!

Take a look at the green roof introduction and overview blog here! 

We also recently hung out at the Central States ASLA conference and met a lot of designers looking to help their clients alleviate their stormwater management issues while providing some awesome finished looks to their sites!  The conference was in St. Louis, home of the great Missouri Botanic Gardens where many species were in bloom and smelling great!

More info and Answers at AD Greenroof LLC

Heading to the Int'l Roof Expo and NWIR

I'll be taking advantage of a trip to Nashville next week to catch up with my roofing friends! I'm also looking forward to meeting new folks at the National Women in Roofing.

The Expo always proves to impress with new trade show booths, new ideas, and showcasing manufacturers proven products. Networking on the side is also where it's at!

Who wouldn't want to take a break and walk around outside, dip into dive bars to hear some live Nashville music, and even hit up some museums??

If you are headed there Feb 9-13 let me know, love to chat all things green (vegetated) roofs!

Late October 2018, Minneapolis native green roof

Angie Durhman
angie@adgreenroof.com

www.adgreenroof.com

Heading to Greenbuild 2018!

It's been a while since I've attended Greenbuild. I had a dose of overload of sustainability topics, hence my absence in the last few years(especially since I work in it every day).

Let's hope the conference proves innovative and inspirational in Chicago!

I plan to walk the floor and chill out with the young gang at the Hanging Gardens booth #221.

See you there!

National Pollinator Week!

13 June 2017 on a Wisconsin roof, photo cred AD Greenroof.
It remains unidentified...If you have a guess please contact me!

The work we do in the green roof industry is valuable on multiple levels. Not only are we bringing nature back into the built environment, but we are managing stormwater, contributing to building efficiency, and saving roof replacement costs (and products).

Clients like working with my company, AD Greenroof, because we can provide boutique designs that hit each benefit they are interested in.  In other words, if an owner stares at a gravel roof very day, and would rather look at plants that change color and texture throughout the year, we can make it happen.  If a client is mostly interested in the bottom line, with a boost of marketable stewardship, well then, we can work up the ROI that makes sense for the site.  

I also appreciate customers who share their observations on the evolving green roofs. Really, I'm talking about improving eco-system habitats! Bees, moths, butterflies, bats, birds, along with so many other insects find a home and resources throughout the year. Champions of theses roofs understand the need for periodic maintenance and plant diversity. Resilience is the key!

Enjoy national pollinator week, put some honey on your breakfast! 

Summer Shenanigans

Summer is in full force! What plans do you have for your at grade landscaping and rooftops? Do you have a regular maintenance program established for your green roof?  Are you in the installation phase of construction and in need of overburden products?

AD Greenroof has been engaging in these questions and projects hard core this year! We have also been busy creating relationships starting with lunch and learns to professional firms.  Please contact me if you'd like one for your office! We can provide AIA and ASLA learning units.

Good news on the speaker engagement, front, too! I will be presenting on storm water management of intensive green roofs over the next few months.  Take a look at our website for the upcoming conferences and register if you're interested!

I got a chance to get a penthouse view of the Target Center in Minneapolis recently. Check out the roof from this angle:

What to do on a warmer than normal spring day?

It's 70F today in Minneapolis, MN. (Date stamp: March 8!)

Over the winter, I had much time to network, work on designs, and build the maintenance programs for the year. However, today I took an extended lunch out on a patio without wearing a jacket, soaking up the sun with a colleague. We all deserve a little extra vitamin D!

Earlier this spring, we planned an event to join regional environmental organizations in a discussion on green roofs. Yes, cocktails will be served in an informal charrette style meeting! Join us for the free tour and event on March 24 in St Paul. http://eepurl.com/bTepir

We Can Do It!

Time to get creative! Halloween is this weekend, and DIY ideas have been floating social media. In a multi-symbolic decision, this year I am going as Rosie the Riveter! (Image wise, it helps that I am coming into the costume already with dark hair, a decent scarf collection, strong arms, and pearl earrings, haha).

"A Bittersweet Lion"?

Having been in business now for three years, I hear myself saying frequently, "We Can Do It!" We are free to make our own choices, only limited by the terms and conditions of the contract. Several scenarios that came to fruition this year:
"Can you provide early spring color?" Yes, we can do that by adding bulbs in the berms.
"Is it possible to have coverage immediately?" We can do that!
"Can you deliver the WBE hours needed for this grant?" Yes we can, please add us to the team!
"By the way, can you prune back these vines, even though you are here to winterize my roof?" Absolutely, we can do that, too!

As a boutique firm, we are not limited to the proprietary blends and standard plant list

that many large manufacturers supply. And yet, it is empowering to warrant a variety of designs with performance standards in mind, with a maintenance program as general or custom as needed. 

So, going back to being creative! Walking trade show floors can be a great way to see how companies are being innovative and who they partner with. Since we are now in trade show season (starting with Cities Alive in early October) I'm offering free passes! Upcoming conferences include ASLA, Greenbuild, MRCA, and AIA. I can get you free passes to them all! Just reach out to me at: angie@adgreenroof.com