Green Roof Blocks Donates Green Roof Program to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Green Roof Blocks, makers of a portable self-contained green roof system, recently donated its patent pending product to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). The university will use the green roof system for research purposes.

St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) August 11, 2005 -- Green Roof Blocks, makers of a portable self-contained green roof system, recently donated its patent pending product to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). The university will use the green roof system for research purposes. Green Roofs are vegetated roof covers that help to reduce energy consumption and costs, decrease storm water runoff, and preserve the life of roof materials. Individual Green Roof Blocks cover four square feet of roof surface and contain a growth medium with drought resistant plants.

The initial Green Roof Blocks were installed on the SIUE Engineering Building on July 20. The event was attended by several notable SIUE faculty and administrative members including, Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift, Provost and Vice Chancellor Sharon Hahs, Vice Chancellor Ken Neher, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Stephen Hansen, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Kent Neely, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Wendy Shaw, Director of the Environmental Sciences Program Kevin Johnson, Director of Facilities Management Bob Washburn, Associate Professor of Environmental Science Program and Department of Biological Sciences Dr. William Retzlaff, Campus Architect Richard Klein, Engineering Faculty Dr. Susan Morgan, Environmental Sciences Faculty Dr. Nic Guehlstorf, School of Engineering Director of Development Sarah MacDougal and Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Krista Forrester. Also in attendance were Green Roof Blocks president Kelly Luckett, Green Roof Blocks vice-president Mike Crowell, Jost Greenhouse owner Vic Jost, and Lakeside Roofing.

The initial 16 Green Roof Blocks installed are part of an eventual 1000 Green Roof Block system. The remaining Green Roof Blocks may be purchased by individuals for $100 each, with proceeds benefiting the student research project. Contributors will be able to compose a message on an engraved plate that will be mounted on a plaque overlooking the green roof. Each position on the roof will have a corresponding position on the plaque allowing donors to identify the particular Green Roof Blocks their donation made possible. Those interested should contact Marilyn Marsho, 618-650-5048 or by e-mail: mmarsho@siue.edu.

The research project is being directed by Dr. William Retzlaff of the Environmental Sciences Program and will evaluate green roof performance – including storm water runoff quality and quantity, plant growth, performance, and coverage, and green roof thermal characteristics. Research information as it becomes available will be posted at, http://www.green-siue.com.

Green Roof Blocks is a subsidiary of St. Louis Metalworks, with offices located at 11701 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, MO 63033. The company maintains a web site at, www.greenroofblocks.com and media site at,
www.greenroofsmedia.com .

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