Monday, August 15, 2011

San Fran's Incredible Green Roof

The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is home to an incredible green roof filled with 1.7 million native plants.  Yep, million.  That means that the 197,000 square foot roof (check out the shape of the roof below!) is covered with approximately 50,000 biodegradable trays containing all those plants.  An amazing architectural and horticultural feat! 

The green roof atop the California Academy of Sciences in San Fransisco is home to 1.7 million plants!

The roof contains just 9 plant species, but they're all interesting: strawberries, poppies, plantains and others.  (Visit their website to see the full plant list, watch a video about how it was created and learn more about the building.)
 
In comparison, the Berry Prairie is much smaller -  about 3,600 square feet - and we have far fewer plants - approximately 4,400.  However, we are now up to 63 species, all native to the Laramie basin.

Berry Prairie as of August 15, 2011

Each green roof is unique, and their differences are what makes the green roof movement so intriguing and fun!  Anyone know of other interesting green roofs in the US or otherwise?


Written by Brenna Wanous, Berry Center


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