Green Roof Garden
Urban Food Production, Pollinator Habitat, Heat Island Mitigation, and Air and Water Quality Improvement
In the 1960's, a green roof was constructed atop the UGA Geography-Geology building to serve as a temperature buffer for the Climatology Research Laboratory. Since 2007, a rotating cast of professors, students, and volunteers have planted and maintained a flourishing fruit and vegetable garden. The Green Roof Garden is now a main campus outpost of UGArden through an active collaboration between the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Horticulture Department, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Geography Department, and the Office of Sustainability. UGArden staff, volunteers, and the Office of Sustainability's Urban Agriculture Intern work to ensure that this 3,000 square-foot growing space stays healthy and productive.
Pollinator Protection
The Geography Green Roof Garden serves as a place to support pollinator populations and migrations and to re-connect the landscape. Native plants thrive on the rooftop and serve as a vital source of food and habitat, as well as a living laboratory for students and community members to learn about pollinator decline and easy ways to conserve pollinator populations for the future.
Food Production
Green roofs can serve as a space for local food production, improving local access to fresh food and reducing food insecurity. Produce from the Green Roof Garden is donated to the Campus Kitchen at UGA and added to their weekly delivery bags of fresh, wholesome food for families in need. Approximately 200 pounds of fresh produce is donated from the Geography Green Roof Garden each semester.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Green Roof Garden hosts volunteer work days that allow attendees to gain experience in urban agriculture. Rooftop access to the Geography-Geology Building is limited to authorized students, faculty, and staff members of the University of Georgia community.
The garden is run by a student intern with generous support from UGArden and would not be possible without the support of volunteers!