Green roofs are increasingly being featured on many education institutions, from elementary schools to universities. Aside from providing benefits for the building structure, such as reducing heating and cooling costs and extending the life expectancy of waterproof membranes, green roofs may also provide learning opportunities in spaces that are welcoming and secure. This is especially true in dense urban areas where green space is relatively sparse. For example, a green roof that is home to numerous plant species, insects and birds is an ideal location to learn about ecology. It is also a place where agriculture can be taught in an urban setting, as people are often far removed from places where food is grown. Even being able to see an inaccessible green roof through windows has a positive effect on the learning environment.

Young Growth
Exposure to green roofs can benefit people of any age. Jackman Avenue Public School for children aged 6-12 in Toronto recently opened an accessible green roof that is visible from street level and by students through windows from a second floor hallway. Community involvement was a driving force in this project, and over 1,000 people gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the public school’s green roof, sneaking a peak at the roof through the glass observation deck, while students took visitors on tours.

Part of the reason for constructing this green roof was for practical economic benefits. Like many schools across Canada, Jackman has struggled to moderate temperatures in its classrooms. Faced with the decision of whether to invest in an expensive central air-conditioning unit, the Jackman School Council decided to apply a strategy that is affordable, adaptable and environmentally friendly.

Consisting of 15 different types of plants, Jackman’s green roof is also a dynamic tool that children can use to learn about rainwater retention, and the importance of native plant species and biodiversity.

Greening Higher Learning
At the post-secondary level, North American universities and colleges are using green roofs as places of research, both for developing the technology and precisely quantifying benefits. Because of the very multi-dimensional nature of green roofs, research ranges from horticulture to landscape and building architecture, engineering, urban planning and policy. Researchers are experimenting in laboratories, field testing on ground sites, creating computer modeling systems and putting their work into practice by constructing green roofs and walls on their own buildings.

These institutions are also using green roofs to benefit their own physical plants. For example, Pennsylvania State University has covered over an acre of its buildings with green roofs and is currently in the process of doubling that number both through new constructions and retrofits. “Not only do we do research here, but we have a lot of roofs so we’re big users as well,” says Dr. Robert Berghage, associate professor in the Department of Horticulture at Penn State. “A lot of what is driving this is LEED, but that’s not the only driver. We’re also interested in the longevity of our roofs and stormwater issues on certain parts of campus.

Multidisciplinary Teaching for Professionals
Because the various aspects of green roofs cross many different professional fields, there are few education programs focused specifically on this growing technology.  Architects, landscape architects, roofing specialists, horticulturalists and engineers are not trained to understand all the components involved in a green roof project. For these reasons, under the guidance of a group of multidisciplinary subject matter experts, in early 2009 the Green Roof Professional (GRP) accreditation was launched.

The Green Roof Professional (GRP) accreditation training is delivered as individual courses, or as intensive four day consecutive courses, known as “boot camps.”  GRPs are required to score very high on a multi-disciplinary exam that is offered in different cities across North America.  Green Roofs for Healthy Cities also requires GRPs to continue to invest in ongoing professional development as the industry evolves.  They must attend continuing education courses to hone their green roof expertise and maintain their accreditation. Advanced courses are currently being developed in subjects such as urban rooftop agriculture, maintenance, integrated water management and green walls.  There is also a specialized course on ecological design.  Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is currently developing online courses so professionals can gain continuing education credits from any location with Internet access.

The Green Roof Professional (GRP) designation does not imply comprehensive knowledge applicable to all of the challenges facing this rapidly emerging industry. It does not provide any guarantee of professional competency, which is the responsibility of agencies that provide licensure for professionals. What the GRP accreditation enables professionals to do is differentiate themselves in the market place and demonstrate they have a commitment to the green roof industry. It also encourages better green roof design, installation, and maintenance practices and fosters continuous learning.

The GRP training is designed to improve multidisciplinary collaboration, protecting the industry from the inevitable failures that result from inappropriate design, installation, and maintenance practices which will in turn, increase customer confidence in green roof technology.

The U.S. Green Building Council has approved Green Roofs for Healthy Cities as a registered provider, so programs are now eligible for LEED continuing education credits. Those GRPs seeking education credits to retain their professional designation as well as those using AIA, ASLA, LEED, RCI or APLD credits for  application toward their local/regional association or for license renewal can acquire continuing education credits (CEUs) for attending the conference and training courses.

Growing Together
Perhaps the most important aspects of combining green roofs and education is that the more people are exposed to the benefits of green roofs, the more these benefits can be realized by future innovators. Together we can learn and grow to help ensure that our communities remain safe, sustainable, and green, well into the future.