Green Roofs and Rain Gardens

With the weather warming up we're going to hit the road and take in some specialty gardens in Beloit.  This is an all-day event and should be lots of fun.

Date: Thursday, June 11, 2015

Time:  9:15 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m.

Location to meet:  Rock County Job Center, 1900 Center Ave., Janesville.

Neese Memorial Rooftop Garden - Beloit Hospital

Essentials to bring:  A shady hat, sunglasses (?), water and money for lunch.

After organizing ourselves into a carpool, we'll hit the road.  Our first stop is at 10 a.m., the Neese Memorial Rooftop Garden at Beloit Hospital, 1969 Hart Rd., Beloit, where we'll be given a guided tour.

We'll stop for lunch at Bushel and Peck's, 328 State Street, Beloit, where you can buy your lunch at the market or dine in the cafe'.

Then it's on to the Beloit College Center for the Sciences, 700 College Street, Beloit.  It has more than just a green roof - it has an entire system that harvests and stores rainwater for use in the greenhouse.  In 2009 the building was awarded platinum-status Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) status for its innovative green initiatives.

Science Building, Beloit College

When we're done there, it's on to the rain garden at Beloit City Hall, shaped like a turtle.  If time permits we'll also stop briefly at the developing rain garden on Janesville's south side.

Bring your questions about the benefits and mechanics of roof plantings and rainwater management.  There should be lots to learn!

CEUs/hours of education:  Minimum of 2 1/2 hours, with the exact amount to be determined based on actual time spent at each location.

And don't forget Song Sparrow Open Greenhouse Day!

Saturday, June 13 (8 a.m. to 11 a.m.) is Song Sparrow Farm's one day per year when you can shop their greenhouses in person.  To join the carpool, meet at Office Max on Milton Ave., Janesville, 7:45 a.m.  This trip does not quality for CEUs.  It is just for the joy of it!

There is still time to pre-order (by June 5) if you want to be sure you get a prized item!  Go to www.songsparrow.com for details.

Sneak peak at July:

Tree ID in Palmer Park.  Bring the kids, the spouse, a friend!  It should take only a few minutes to vote on the proposed by-laws changes.  Then we'll set out to locate and learn about 20 different trees species. Bring your hand-held GPS or set your SmartPhone to GPS mode.  Each tree is tagged with GPS coordinates.  As an added perk, you could even go home with a tree of your own to plant!

Announcement submitted by Ruth Flescher, edited by Mary Thompson.