Sustainable Green Roof
Growing Roots, Greening Futures.
Doane Stuart’s Living Laboratory in the Sky
In May 2014, The Doane Stuart School unveiled a groundbreaking addition to our campus: a 22,000-square-foot green roof designed to serve both environmental and educational purposes. Funded by a $1.4 million grant from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, the green roof reflects our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and hands-on learning.
This eco-friendly space significantly reduces stormwater runoff, improves building insulation, and lowers overall energy use—helping the school reduce its environmental footprint while creating a unique learning environment.
A Roof That Teaches
Our green roof isn’t just a beautiful space—it’s an outdoor classroom. Students in the Upper School Green Roof elective helped shape the project from the beginning. They studied:
- Weather patterns and microclimates
- Biodiversity and seed dispersal
- Sustainable landscape design
Their work informed the creation of an engaging, student-friendly space that includes a central garden, outdoor science lab, patio, and accessible pathways—all designed for observation, research, and reflection.
What Grows on Our Roof?
Doane Stuart’s roof features over 70 plant species and 60,000 individual NY native plants, carefully selected for their ability to thrive in rooftop environments. These hardy, drought-resistant varieties—many native to alpine, coastal, and desert climates—flourish under conditions of high sun, wind, and rain exposure.
The roof also features artificial topography that creates small microclimates, encouraging a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals. This variation enhances both the visual beauty and the ecological function of the space—making our green roof a living, breathing laboratory.
Hosting on the Roof
Looking for a unique and inspiring venue for your next small event?
Our Green Roof is available for private gatherings of up to 50 people. Whether you’re planning a reception, retreat, or educational workshop, the view—and the impact—is unforgettable.
Contact:
Darlene Gallagher
(518) 465-5222 ext. 203
[email protected]
