Linda Merchant-Masonbrink | Green Roof Professional (GRP)
Linda Merchant-Masonbrink, GRP
Linda Merchant-Masonbrink holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University. She began her career in earthwork management and wetland research at a golf course design firm before joining the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) in Columbus. With over 33 years of experience, she has contributed to various water quality regulatory and management programs.
Linda and her husband, Steve standing by their newly constructed green roof shed under the kitchen windows. It was dedicated on June 6, 2020 (the first World Green Roof Day). Photo: Steve Masonbrink
Why did you become a Green Roof Professional (GRP)?
I became interested in green infrastructure, and in particular green roofs and walls, as an extension of my landscape architecture training and my understanding about their positive impact on the environment, including stormwater management. Stormwater is a major contributor to stream degradation and to combined sewer overflow (CSO) problems. Green roofs’ ability to retain and to spread out peak discharges can have a positive water quality impact. Additionally, by capturing stormwater and utilizing it as a valuable resource to recycle, instead of a waste to be discharged, green infrastructure is transforming a negative into a positive through beneficial reuse.
What does your job entail? What does your day to day look like?
Vegetation planted into lava rock and engineered soil includes a variety of succulents, herbs, and colorful lantana along the edges to attract butterflies. Photo: Linda Merchant-Masonbrink
I am currently an environmental planner in the Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance (DEFA) at the Ohio EPA conducting NEPA-like reviews of wastewater (WPCLF) and drinking water (WSRLA) infrastructure projects receiving low-interest loans from the agency to ensure no adverse environmental impact. The WPCLA and WSRLA are revolving loan accounts that are quite stable and quite successful. In fact, we lent over $1 billion last year. I also review projects for stream and wetland restoration and protection through our Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP) to help select and ensure projects are, or will be, restored to the highest quality aquatic resources in Ohio.
There are opportunities for communities to receive below market interest loans to construct green infrastructure practices, including green roofs, through the WPCLF program. We even have a discount for green projects.
We do fund a large number of green infrastructure projects for the city of Columbus through their Blueprint program. Most of these projects are bioretention basins constructed in road rights-of-way to collect and slow stormwater. This is to minimize the construction of large gray infrastructure to manage the increased stormwater flows so there are less CSO discharges.
What is your favorite part of your job?
It is gratifying to work with communities by offering monetary assistance to improve and construct green infrastructure that will benefit their environment.
I enjoy sharing information about green roofs through presentations and sharing the Greenroofs.com Newsletter with my co-workers to promote awareness so that when the time is right, there will be a better understanding about their benefits.
What advice would you provide to someone interested in pursuing a similar career path to yourself?
My advice to those considering a career in green roof construction is to take time to learn about state and local incentives, as well as planning and zoning for green roof construction, to help guide their career path. Understanding the technical underpinnings of green roof development is also important, and can be done by apprenticing with roofers, horticulturists/nurseries/landscape architects, architects, agronomists and GRP professionals.
It is also important to understand the best way to promote and find funding for roofing projects, as well as local zoning restrictions or opportunities. Green roof construction is a multi-faceted endeavor and requires an understanding of many different disciplines.
What trends about green infrastructure/sustainability make you excited for the future?
I am excited to see Columbus develop a number of green roofs across the city. There are two public parks constructed as green roofs over two parking garages. This is a huge public benefit. I’d like to see more emphasis on plantings that benefit urban wildlife.
There is a small demonstration-extensive green roof on Ohio EPA’s building that includes bee hives. I am excited about the opportunity for green roofs to improve biodiversity in cities, especially those along major flyways, like Columbus, which is on the Scioto River flyway.
Once I retire, I would like to organize the several other GRPs in Ohio to develop an initiative with some creative financing options used in other states for communities to consider. Also, as a commercial drone pilot, I would like to help monitor the success of green roofs.
Sedum has flowered each of the last 3 years, and is crowding out the maple seedlings and other undesirables that try to establish.
Photo: Linda Merchant-Masonbrink
What do you see as the role of green infrastructure in resilience and the COVID-19 recovery?
As people emerge from the pandemic, I hope they see the integral connection we have with our surrounding environment. Green areas lift our mood, as well as provide huge environmental benefits. Green infrastructure is a valuable tool that can help lessen the impacts from natural disasters and build more resilient communities.
How does having a GRP on projects benefit the company?
I was able to use my GRP to assist the Division of Surface Water in developing language for their green roof stormwater standard. In addition, I helped develop a green roof session at our Sustainability Conference a couple years ago so others in the state would become more aware of their benefits.
Tell us about a recent project:
I decided I wanted to get into green roof design and installation without waiting for retirement. So, my husband Steve and I installed a green roof on a large shed he built outside our kitchen window. An extensive green roof is more aesthetic than the gray shed roof and it provides some habitat benefit. I included a few herbs I could harvest just outside the window. I also enjoy the year-round changing colors of a variety of sedums. I will stay current with my accreditation as a Green Roof Professional so that I might be ready for larger projects when I retire from state service.
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is a non-profit 501(c)(6) professional industry association working to grow the green roof and wall industry throughout North America since 1999. Our mission is to develop and protect the market by increasing the awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roofs, green walls, and other forms of living architecture through education, advocacy, professional development, and celebrations of excellence.
We publish The Living Architecture Monitor quarterly online magazine where industry leaders share their insights and expertise. These articles increase awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roofs, walls and other forms of living architecture.
We also offer free access to The Living Architecture Academy, an online professional development platform which is dedicated to bringing you the best, most up to date professional training information on design, installation and maintenance practices across a wide range of green infrastructure topics. The LAA offers short lectures and multi-day courses such as: Green Roof Professional Training, Introduction to Green Walls, Biodiverse Green Roof Maintenance, and more.
We also publish the Green Pages: Industry Green Roof and Wall Directory which is designed to support you with your living architecture projects by providing a list of trusted manufacturers, suppliers of accessories, green walls, nurseries, and certified Green Roof Professionals (GRPs). From small-scale residential projects to large commercial installations, this directory has everything you need to find support to create a sustainable and beautiful living space.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
