On the cover of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s (CBG) map and garden guide it says, “Plant Science Will Save The Planet.” After visiting The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, I agree that educating the public on this amazing process will be critical to the earth’s future.
Julie McCaffrey, Senior Media Relations Specialist, gave me a wonderful tour of the newly renovated Plant Science Center. She and I hopped on an electric cart and jetted over to the state-of-the-art building. First thing she pointed out was that the floors in the halls behind the scenes were made from recycled tires. All the floors are radiant heated to promote energy conservation
The Plant Science Center was designed as a gold rated certified building for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). CBG’s 38,0000-square-foot Plant Science Center provides teaching facilities and laboratories for more than 200 Ph.D. scientists, land managers, students, and interns whose conservation and plant research is very important to accomplishing the Garden’s efforts to save our planet by saving our plants. It also serves as home to a doctoral program in plant biology and conservation with Northwestern University. A viewing gallery of the scientists at work (see photo above) and the 16,000-square-foot Green Roof Garden are open to the public. Annually, nearly 800,000 visitors will get to view plant science firsthand.
Emily Shelton (see right) is a gardener for the green roof and helps maintain the plantings. Nearly 320 varieties of plants were planted at the Plant Science Center Green Roof Garden. Just recently installed, the green roof was quite impressive, and I am excited to come back and see progress over the years.
Most impressive was a very special rain garden which surrounds the Plant Science Center Building. It is a shallow, trough-like depression and is called the Rainwater Glen; it functions like a river’s floodplain. It is designed to hold back stormwater runoff, allowing deep-rooted native plants to facilitate absorption and help filter impurities to improve community water quality. Above you see a photo of a portion of the Rainwater Glen as bikers pass by riding through the incredible scenery at CBG.
Below is a video on the Plant Science Center Rainwater Glen which really speaks to it’s wonderful water conservation science.
Next chance you get, go to The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden – you will see conservation in action and an entire community built to make a difference for our earth.
Shawna Coronado says Get Healthy! Get Green! Get Community! www.thecasualgardener.com, The Green Blog - www.gardeningnude.com, or The Garden Blog - http://thecasualgardener.blogspot.com
Hi Barb!
Chicago is actually considered the "Green Roof Capital" of the world. No kidding! Here's a link to further information on Chicagoland's green roofs - http://bit.ly/DUZtG.
There are many succulents and native plants that grow quite successfully under Midwestern conditions. The Chicago Botanic Gardens even planted some native cactus - yes there are a few varieties which grow here - and they are doing fantastically on their roof. Maintenance involves an occasional watering and trimming out dead growth over the years, but outside of that - virtually none.
To obtain more information about the how's and why's of building your own green roof, check out www.greenroofs.com or go to the EPA's green roof website - http://www.epa.gov/heatisland.
Thanks for the question!
Happy Green Roofing!
Shawna
Posted by: Shawna Coronado | September 25, 2009 at 12:48 PM
How do they maintain green planted roofs in Chicago winters?? That would seem a little impossible.
Posted by: babs m | September 25, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Funny you mention that Botanic Gardens because my friend and I were just there last weekend. So beautiful ( it was her first time, my 2nd). We took the full tour and they showed us and talked about the new center. Neat!
Posted by: Angie (Losing It and Loving It) | September 23, 2009 at 09:05 PM