'Backyard Skills: A D.I.Y. Handbook'

The other day, we picked up The Ecology Center's recently published book Backyard Skills: A D.I.Y. Handbook, a collection of projects, infographics, and practices inspired by last year's popular Basic Needs lecture series.  

 Divided into five key topics- energy, shelter, waste, food and water- the book is aimed at getting readers engaged in sustainability, and it does so effectively, with visually compelling graphics and well-composed text that make the prospect of green living accessible and engaging. 

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Green Roofs: Old and New

You've probably noticed the trend...  Green roofs are becoming incorporated into our built environment at an increasing rate, as evidenced by the growing number of both large and small scale installations in urban, suburban and rural locations, in a wide range of climates.  These systems are modern applications of a centuries-old technology, as seen in the image below of a sod roof at an 18th century farmhouse in Norway.

Such types of 'intensive' vegetated roofs typically need substantial soil depth for larger plants and trees, which, in turn, requires regular maintenance, as well as a building structure that can support the additional weight.  However, recent advancements in technology have led to the development of lightweight modular systems that utilize interlocking trays, made of recycled material and prevegetated with plants selected by a local grower with careful consideration of climate, maintenance, and project design goals.

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