East Liberty Development, Inc. has brought a green roof bus shelter to the East Liberty neighborhood. First hatched in 2010 by Planning Coordinator Katherine Camp, the green roof bus shelter is unique to Pittsburgh. The Sprout Fund awarded ELDI a large grant through its Spring program to construct a bus shelter whose roof houses plant life, giving flora and fauna a foothold, creating stopping points for organisms to return to the urban environment.

"East Liberty's green roof bus shelter could not have happened without The Sprout Fund's support," said Loralyn Fabian, Sustainable Projects Manager, "We are honored to have such a progressive, philanthropic organization in Pittsburgh that supports innovative and impactful local projects."

In addition to providing a home for a variety of plant and animal life and reducing air and water pollution, the green roof bus shelter educates the public about green roofs and green practices through the informational signs found on the shelter's panels.

"Until comprehensive green infrastructure plans are developed for our cities, it will be up to the individual communities, at the most local of levels, to influence and implement green infrastructure projects," said Fabian, "Pittsburgh is seeing a great rebirth since its industrial age, and we need to continue to consider our environment's health in this transformation."

"East Liberty Development has literally brought advanced concepts in green building design down to street level," said Dustin Stiver, Program Officer at The Sprout Fund. "At Sprout, we were able to support grassroots initiatives like these through our Spring program that catalyzed 20 projects to enhance biodiversity in the Pittsburgh region."

Visit the green roof bus shelter in person at the corner of Penn Avenue and North Whitfield Street in East Liberty.

6/18/2012