In the summer of 2008, I had the pleasure of interning at Conservation Design Forum, a nationally recognized leader in sustainable design outside of Chicago, IL. As part of my internship experience, we visited one of their most well-known projects, the Chicago City Hall Green Roof. Thanks to thoughtful design, implementation, and a commitment to ongoing care by the city, the roof has become a true oasis in the heart of Chicago for native flora and fauna. The roof supports over 100 species of plants, and in addition to butterflies, bees, and other insects, over 60 species of migratory birds have been seen on the roof.
View of roof from an adjacent building. Over 30 buildings look down on the rooftop which sits 11 stories above the ground.
View of the diversity of plant materials on the roof. The roof supports over 100 species of plants, including shrubs and small trees.
The roof also houses a bee colony that helps pollinate the prairie plants on the roof, and produces over 150 lbs. of honey a year.
Picture of a butterfly enjoying the brown-eyed susans in the middle of downtown Chicago's skyline.
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