Green Roof Researchers Alliance

The green roof of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Photo: Dustin Partridge

In 2017, NYC Bird Alliance convened a working group of green roof researchers at the request of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The new group’s aim: to provide accurate information on the benefits of green roofs and to broaden awareness of green roofs among decision-makers and the public, in order to accelerate green roof installation across the City. The resulting collaboration, the Green Roof Researchers Alliance (GRRA), has spurred innovative research collaborations, created a database of green roofs in New York City, launched an annual conference and online information hub, and established working relationships with government policymakers.
 
The GRRA includes 60 experts from 20 institutions, working in close collaboration to better understand green roof function and develop best practices that can help resource managers, land-use planners, government entities, researchers, and businesses to install wildlife-friendly and climate-resilient green roofs in and around New York City. To learn more about the GRRA, green roofs, and to explore green roofs in New York City, visit the Green Roof Researchers Alliance website or contact Managing Director Dustin Partridge, PhD, at dpartridge@nycaudubon.org.
The mapping and modeling panel discussion at the first annual State of Green Roofs Conference in 2018, featuring researchers from The New School, Columbia University, and The Nature Conservancy. Photo: NYC Bird Alliance "}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" class="attachment attachment--content"> The mapping and modeling panel discussion at the first annual State of Green Roofs Conference in 2018, featuring researchers from The New School, Columbia University, and The Nature Conservancy. Photo: NYC Bird Alliance

Since its inception, the collaborative efforts of the GRRA have led to numerous accomplishments in green roof outreach, science, and legislation. Outreach efforts include our annual conference, The State of Green Roofs in NYC, held during climate week; workshops and seminars held throughout the year to explain green roof benefits and current legislation; and www.greenroofsnyc.com, an unbiased and comprehensive resource for learning about green roofs. To enhance green roof research, the GRRA has fostered collaboration, provided a series of mini-grants, and created a database of green roofs in New York City for use by researchers.
 
Legislatively, in 2019, the GRRA was instrumental in the passage of Local Laws 92 & 94, part of the New York City Climate Mobilization Act, which require that all new buildings or roof replacements have green roofs and/or solar panels, and in the creation and passage of a new and improved green roof tax abatement that prioritizes vulnerable areas in New York City. 
 
Visit the Green Roof Researchers Alliance website for all the latest information on Green Roofs in New York City. 
Green Roof Researchers Alliance founding members at the first The State of Green Roofs in NYC conference, June 7, 2018. Photo: NYC Bird Alliance "}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" class="attachment attachment--content"> Green Roof Researchers Alliance founding members at the first The State of Green Roofs in NYC conference, June 7, 2018. Photo: NYC Bird Alliance
 

Contact the Green Roof Researchers Alliance

To facilitate collaboration, the GRRA functions through six focus groups: Mapping, Biodiversity and Monitoring, Environmental Properties, Outreach, Policy & Incentivizing, and Education.

Dustin Partridge - GRRA Managing Director
dpartridge@nycaudubon.org
 
Danielle Spiegel-Feld - Policy and Incentivizing
spiegeld@mercury.law.nyu.edu

Matt Palmer – Biodiversity and Monitoring
 
Franco Montalto – Environmental Properties
fmontalto@coe.drexel.edu 
 
Timon McPhearson – Outreach
timon.mcphearson@newschool.edu
 
Mike Treglia – Mapping
michael.treglia@tnc.org
 
Vicki Sando – Education
vsando@ps41.org





The Green Roof Researchers Alliance is funded by The New York Community Trust, A.P.J. O’Connor Fund, and the LuEsther T. Mertz Fund