Those of you who are on my general mailing list (if you aren’t already, sign up here: http://evemosher.com/gallery2/page/contact) know about the inventory loss that we suffered in February. Due to some mis-communication completely out of our control, half of our modules (they were awaiting spring installation) were thrown out. It is reported that the plants were replanted, so that is good – but it is a loss of a lot of materials, labor and the time that it took for them to get established. (The modules that we have still have mostly done really well – the sedum spreading and the grasses growing anew).

So… we are starting a fundraising campaign. We’ll be launching a campaign (complete with donor gifts) in a couple of weeks. This fundraiser will allow us to collect money to both continue the original network of green roofs as well as plan and produce workshops with communities around the city who are interested in either creating a green roof for their community (schools, institutional organizations) or hosting a green roof workshop day for their constituency (community organizations, neighborhood and block associations).

If you are a current proud host of a module, watch for an email soon, we want to come check on the plants and do a quick soil acid test to make sure everything is growing well!

As always, if you are interested in participating as an individual or if you think you might like to host a workshop – email me!

p.s. i will try to get some photos up of the herbs right away!

MEC's green roof by 416style on Flickr

Over the course of the summer, I will be working with Covenant House to put together and grow the green roof modules. In a couple of weeks we will build the modules and plant the plugs with the help of the kids in the long term program. Over the course of the summer the kids will be nurturing the plants through monitoring, watering and feeding. In the fall some of the kids may join us to install the modules.

Through this partnership I hope to inform the kids about urban environmental issues through and interesting process in which they take on the care and responsibility of the plants. We also hope to give them knowledge and experience that aids in their own continued growth and development. Through the partnership we hope to introduce the kids to alternative art forms and methods of building and empowering community. We are all looking forward to a great season of growing!

Your support of the project is needed to ensure its success.
Just $25 will cover the costs of building and caring for a green roof module over the course of the summer.
$50 covers the cost of building and growing as well as the installation with the flag & signage.
All donations are tax deductible.

Please donate today!

It will be a limited edition piece (less than 50), but these are great seedum to have at home. I am going to price them at $50 per. If you would like to pre-order one, let me know (eve at seedingthecity dot com).

Also, I have posted on ThePoint.com to see if I can get that tipping point to work, today they sent me a “widget” to post:

However, at this point I am most excited about a microfinancing idea: ArtPowered.com.

May answer, “Each individual module may have a negligible affect, but what would hundreds of modules spread across the city do to both our environment, our awareness and our social fabric?”

When you consider the potential of the project, creating potentially enough greenery on rooftops to recreate a Central Park in the sky? Now it gets interesting.

I have also been considering how to raise money for the project outside of the “normal” channels (i.e. grants). A couple of things have come up recently which I am investigating:

• ThePoint.com is a tipping point model for fundraising and social action. Get enough people to commit to something, and then it can happen. I posted the project on there with enough funds to launch the project, its a pretty high price, so we will see how close I get, but it does allow many people to be involved at a small level – it is a further exploration of microfinancing.
• Another idea is to exchange money for experience or special commodities from the project, this is based on the model of artistshare.com. The funding is given up front and then the funders are invited to participate in interesting ways throughout the project.
• Finally, my own thought of allowing people to “sponsor” grm’s throughout the city. Pay $50 and you would sponsor a grm in your choice of one of the neighborhoods. This wouldn’t be on your own roof, but would include your sponsorship information on the signage and website.

So, does anyone have any thoughts on any of this? Are there ways you would want to participate financially? Would you give a small amount for nothing in return or prefer a larger amount and a unique experience or commodity (if so what would that experience or commodity be?) or would you prefer to know that your funds are directed at a specific piece of action?