I am making our rooftops green - Emily Harris

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The person with the most votes at the end of September will receive $10,000 worth of support. PLUS, all voters are in the draw to win Steinlager Pure merchandise

Overview

I'm Emily Harris, and I'm trying to make Auckland rooftops green.

I worked as a lawyer for a couple of years, but I realised that wasn't really what I wanted to do. I wanted to make more of a contribution to my community and our environment, so I decided to establish rooftop gardens on buildings in Auckland City.

To succeed, I'm going to need support from other people. This isn't something I can do on my own. I need rooftops to plant on and people to help me with the gardens. It's something that we can do together in the community. So join me in making this Pure Future happen.

If you would like to offer some help, please email me on harris.emily AT yahoo.com!

Emily's videoWatch Emily's Video >

I need

  • Rooftops
  • Volunteer gardeners
  • Planter boxes
  • Gardening tools
  • Soil/fertiliser

We've given

  • Financial support for plants and tools
  • Publicity
  • Connected Emily with her first rooftop!

Latest Updates

6/1/2010 12:28:52 PM \ 2 comments \

Our first rooftop!

Planning for my first rooftop garden is underway. I visited the building in Auckland's CBD last week to check it out and consult with the tenant. We want to position a number of wooden planter boxes around the edges of the roof deck to introduce some green into the grey space. The tenant is keen to try his hand at raising some vegetables up there, and if he can grow enough, he'd like to donate some to the City Mission. I was able to take some "before" photos of the space. The rooftop looks out on to a number of other accessible but bare rooftops, so there's plenty more potential for rooftop greening in the area.

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4/29/2010 4:36:52 PM \ 0 comments \

A few developments

This week I met with the local chapter of Engineers Without Borders. They are an organisation of engineers who contribute their skills to projects with community benefits.

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4/22/2010 10:10:56 AM \ 4 comments \

The first steps...

Right now, I have confirmed access to zero rooftops, but I'm in talks  with a few different people about a few different rooftops. I've been  working on building a support base in Auckland, by meeting with lots of  people who are interested in the idea of rooftop gardens. I've been  particularly concentrating on building connections with community groups  based in the central city, as their members are the people who I hope will benefit from the rooftop gardens.


 


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41 Comments
     
  • “Perhaps make an appearance at the next one of these... http://www.worldgreenroofcongress.com/”
    - SamG, Wed, Jul 28, 2010 11:50 AM
  • “Davo, one of those greenhouse domes on a rooftop would definitely get people talking. Thanks for sharing the site.”
    - Emily Harris, Fri, Jul 23, 2010 11:46 AM
  • “James, thanks for helping me set up the first rooftop garden on Monday!”
    - Emily Harris, Fri, Jul 23, 2010 11:44 AM
  • “Hi Emily Fantastic idea - try and do the court buildings? Seriously was chatting with mate Ollie who was going to help but just broke his arm. He said something about this Mon, 11.30am city. If that is correct, I can meet and help you and what gardening gear do you need? Otherwise keen for some other time, Uni and work depending. Cheers (and tables) - James, 027 61 88 632”
    - jimtim, Fri, Jul 16, 2010 11:30 AM
  • “www.domegrown.net.nz imagine these on the rooftop?”
    - davo, Wed, Jun 16, 2010 10:49 PM
  • “Thanks SamG, I hope to meet with Dr Fassman soon and learn from her greenroof experience. Birgit, thanks for the suggestions - you are absolutely right that if you don't get out there and ask for things there's no way you'll get them. Thanks Kellbe and Manda for your messages of support! Stitchyou, I would love to repurpose your old wooden deck into planter boxes so please do get in touch. Thanks!”
    - Emily Harris, Thu, Jun 10, 2010 09:54 AM
  • “Looove your idea!! Bringing small community values to the city with a twist :)”
    - Kellbe, Wed, Jun 9, 2010 10:31 PM
  • “Hi Emily. Love what your are doing. We have pulled up a wooden deck. You are welcome to have the decking for planter boxes. I was planning to make them myself but you may need them sooner than me.. I'll email you. great stuff!”
    - stitchyou, Tue, Jun 8, 2010 07:23 PM
  • “What a cool idea! Might sound odd but if you need voluntry garners it is apparently very theraputic to garden,maybe contact a group who assists those who suffer mild depression, its got to be better than prozac :) Perhaps a local car dealer would donate a van for transport if you advertise their yard on the side of it. You can only get a yes by asking because you will have a no if you dont anyway :) :)”
    - Birgit Schonberger, Thu, Jun 3, 2010 11:29 PM
  • “Yay! Go Em! :D Our rooftops definitely can do with a green, and I'm in full support of giving our urban cities a good dose of regeneration. If you need an extra volunteer - count me in! :) ...Manda Judd”
    - Manda, Thu, Jun 3, 2010 12:47 PM
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