Getting the green light for green roofs

Three students majoring in environmental science and sustainability have been selected as 2025 Preprofessional Recognition of Excellence and Potential (PREP) fellows by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the Regional Academic Centers of Excellence. The PREP Fellowship recognizes students’ potential leadership in the field of living architecture. The students, Cynthia Bauer, Elizabeth Leonard and Annabelle Sanderson, were nominated by Kim Thompson, associate professor of instruction in the environmental and plant biology department and Nancy Manring, associate professor and director of the environmental science and sustainability (ESS) program.

“They expressed interest and had done well in the Plants and the Global Environment Lab,” Thompson said. “So I nominated them forward for this fellowship.”  

Thompson learned of the PREP Fellowship through the Greater Ohio Living Architecture Center (GOLA), where she is a board member. GOLA conducts research on living architecture to foster innovation and creative thought for Ohio faculty, students and industry professionals. The group aims to develop environmentally responsible cities. The PREP fellowship includes free online training, materials and the examination for the Green Roof Professional (GRP) accreditation.  

“When I learned about this, I thought it was a great opportunity for our students who might want to be in this industry,” Thompson said. “This will give them a great background.” 

Green roofs are gardens planted on top of buildings; they can be installed on rooftops, areas over utility tunnels and parking garages. Their main purpose is to slow down stormwater runoff and help maintain thermal heat consistency. They also help protect roof membranes and provide habitats for insects, birds and other animals. 

In addition to Schoonover’s green roof, Ohio University has three others on Patton Hall, Jefferson Hall and the Edwards Center Accelerator Lab.

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