Articles
The Center for Sustainable Landscapes – An Ecological Showpiece in Pittsburgh
Discover the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, a remarkable ecological masterpiece in Pittsburgh's Schenley Park. Learn about its green certifications, net-zero energy, and water goals. Explore the collaborative creation, ecosystem enhancement, and context incorporation that make it a sustainable marvel.
Designing and Maintaining Living Walls To Boost Biodiversity
As our world continues to urbanize with the use of hard building materials we jeopardize the ecosystems which put our natural resources and food systems at risk. The very real consequences of modern urbanization have a great impact on our local ecology, specifically our diminishing pollinator populations. Learn how to design exterior living walls so they can provide support for pollinators.
A Living Architecture Performance Tool Certified Platinum Project- John Ball Zoo's Meerkat Exhibit Exemplifies High-Performance
Learn the details about how the John Ball Zoo’s new meerkat habitat exhibit earned Platinum Certification under the Living Architecture Performance Tool rating system.
Apps and Software Revolutionizing Biodiversity Monitoring and Climate Advocacy
Discover the best apps and software revolutionizing biodiversity monitoring and climate advocacy. From iNaturalist to Google Lens, these tools help you to identify species, track bird activities, and even monitor coral reef health. Contribute to conservation efforts and connect with nature using these innovative technologies.
The Migratory Bird’s-Eye View of Green Roofs - Designing Rooftops for Birds
Discover how green roofs are becoming vital havens for migratory birds in urban environments, offering habitat and protection from deadly collisions with glass. Learn how these innovative rooftops are transforming cities into crucial refueling stations for bird species
Growing More Than Flowers – Toronto's Innovative PollinateTO Grant Program Connects Communities
Cities have important roles to play in protecting and developing biodiversity. Read about Toronto’s innovative PollinateTO Grant Program and how the latest Toronto Green Standard incorporates biodiversity.
Grey to Green: Unveiling the Success of Regional Conferences in Toronto and Boston
Discover the regional conferences as Grey to Green explores green infrastructure in Toronto and Boston, fostering knowledge and showcasing remarkable tours, plenary sessions, and networking opportunities
The Six Key Attributes of More Biodiverse Cities
Learn about six different scenarios for biodiverse cities which reflect the complexity and dynamism of urban systems and ecosystems and represent more positive futures for the world’s megacities.
Community Driven Biodiversity: The Ayer Devens Main Streets Regional Pocket Forests Project
Pocket Forest Projects based on Miyawaki principles are springing up across North America as a way for communities to engage in biodiversity restoration and climate resilience. The Town of Ayer, Massachusetts provides an outstanding example of the multiple benefits of these projects.
Biodiversity and the Role of Insects
In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with Assistant Professor Scott Macivor of the University of Toronto to discuss the critical role of insects in the natural world, how climate change affects insect communities and populations, and the ways in which green roofs and green infrastructure can support and enhance those communities in our urban environments. Join us for a conversation on biodiversity and its role in our society, how insects support and influence the natural environment, and how we can develop comprehensive ecosystems.
The Art and Science of Maintaining Biodiverse Green Roofs
Biodiverse green roofs require specialized bio-regional maintenance planning and knowledge on the part of the maintenance teams, says Cynthia Pohl who shares details of her maintenance practices in Alberta, Canada.
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities: New Hands-On Training, Online Resources, and Policy Guide for a Sustainable Future
Discover the latest developments in green roof training with new in-person and online programs, along with a comprehensive policy resource manual. Learn how to create sustainable green spaces for a greener future.
Autumn Production of Romaine Lettuce on an Extensive Green Roof
Discover how lettuce cultivation thrived on a shallow substrate, overcoming temperature extremes and low fertility. Learn about the impact of fertilizers and weather conditions on crop productivity.
Designing for Biodiversity at Scale: How Ecologists and Landscape Architects Collaborate On Suburban Natural Heritage
In this feature, an area in southern Ontario is reviewed to illustrate the important collaboration between ecologists and landscape architects to produce ecologically-informed landscape plans that can increase the biodiversity of the site, among other benefits. The project priorities are to retain ecology, restore habitats, replace habitats, and to recover species at risk.
Nature Restoration Law: The Battle for Urban Greening Targets in the European Union
The European Union’s draft Nature Restoration Law contains binding targets for the greening of the EU’s ecosystems and its cities for 2040 and 2050. Its very ambitious and progressive but it is facing an uphill battle to become law and upcoming elections are complicating matters.
Five Reasons Why We Are Not Separate From Nature and Why It Matters
Discover five somewhat surprising reasons we are not ‘separate’ from nature, but deeply interconnected, and how this knowledge can help us improve the design of our buildings and communities.
Award Winning and Innovative Rooftop Farming in the Heart of Manhattan - The Javits Center
The Rooftop farm above the expansion of the Javits Convention Center incorporates numerous sustainable innovations including an orchard, water reuse and more.
Rooftop Farm Living Lab: Research Takes Root at the Urban Farm at TMU
Toronto Metropolitan University is using its two rooftop farms to advance the practice of rooftop farming through multiple research projects, while also supporting food justice. See also the podcast with Arlene Throness, Urban Farm Manager, and Nicole Austin, Black-led Programs Coordinator.
The Importance of Proactive Green Roof Maintenance
With contributions from Emily Ahlstedt and Nicole Semeraro, Andrew Mihalchick provides a concise overview of the reasons for proactive maintenance and an outline of the major tasks involved and why they are worth doing.
GRHC Introduces New Certification Hands on Training Course For Green Roof Installers and Maintenance Professionals (GRIMP)
Learn about GRHC's new Installation and Maintenance training and certification, developed over 3 years by an expert committee.