Poster by Greening of Aiken group members: Taylor Kravits, Jon Farmer,
Alexandra Adams, Kate Odell, and Evan Bombard
Introduction
• Definition: A green roof is a building that is
covered with vegetation (mostly various
types of sedum) planted over a
waterproofing membrane and root barrier.
• We plan to explore the possibilities of
different types of vegetation to be installed
on green roofs. We have three treatments
to be tested in duplicate. The Green Roof
group is working closely with Green Grid,
who will be installing the roof approximately
next April.
Timeline
• September 2002 - Greening of Aiken
Committee formed and charged by
Don DeHayes
Treatments
Examples of Green Roofs
• Plants Green Grid would
recommend for a green roof in this
area.
Runoff from Penn State Green Roof
No Vegetation
• Same plants but with all organic
treatments including fertilizer.
• Green Grid will pick 5-6 plant
species from the list that was sent
to him from last years Greening of
Aiken Inters group
Richard Prenneke’s Cabin at the
Twin Lakes in Alaska
• Control (no green roof)
Expected Outcomes
Diagram of Aiken Roof
The similarities in soil depth and plant
species between Aiken’s, Penn State’s,
and Michigan’s roofs lead us to believe
Aiken’s will have similar outcomes.
• February 2004 - Green roofs are
included in the "goals" statement for
the Greening of Aiken Project
• May 2004 - Greening of Aiken Design
Competition - William Maclay
Architects selected to design building
• June 2009 - McIntire Stennis proposal
for green roof research was prepared
3 asphalt roofs and 3 green
roofs at Penn State
• *November 2009 - McIntire Stennis
Green Roof project approved - initial
funding for green roof
• Cold and drought resistant sedum
species will grow successfully. As for native
plants, Danthonia Spicata and Cerastium
arvense will be the most successful.
• With an extensive 4-inch deep green roof,
it is likely that the green roof will retain 40%
to 60% of rainfall.
• Spring semester 2010 - Green roof
interns did research to produce a list
of native, potential green roof plants
• The media in green roof will act as an
acid buffer, neutralizing the pH of acid rain.
• Spring Semester 2011 – Development
of Green Roof Treatments
• Spring Semester 2012- Installation of
Green Roof
With Vegetation
Michigan State Green Roof Plots
• Water pollutants will be reduced
significantly in watersheds with vegetation
versus control watersheds (no green roof).