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The Good Earth Family of Companies Corporate Office

The evidence continues to mount that climate change and polluted coastal waters are creating a negative impact on our environment. As these back-burner concerns become a reality, many tools have been developed to address the problem. One such tool, green roofs, have been used in Germany and Japan for over 30 years to help reduce the urban heat island effect and storm water runoff issues. Over the last six to eight years, the trend has begun to take shape in the United States and Canada, with Chicago, Portland, New York, Boston and Toronto taking the lead.

In March of 2007, Good Earth Plant Company demonstrated how to create a green roof specifically designed for San Diego, while monitoring reduced energy usage and storm water runoff; an endeavor that was virtually unheard of in San Diego's arid climate.

The green roof was placed atop Good Earth Plant Company's own headquarters, centrally located in Kearny Mesa. The site is approximately five miles from the Pacific Ocean, and sits between the coastal and inland weather patterns.

Mr. Mumford assembled a team that was critical to the project's success, including a roofer from Germany with experience in green roof construction, and a LEED accredited architect.

Good Earth's Green Roof sits on an 1,850 square foot building, and covers approximately 1,700 square feet with vegetation. Using an extensive green roof system (about 3" of growing media), California and Southwest native plants were installed, with species such as cacti, succulents, grasses, sun roses, desert marigolds and beach primroses. The estimated cost, including the roof membrane, was $15-20 per square foot, with an estimated weight (fully saturated) of 12-15 pounds per square foot.

Although obtaining the permit is being pursued after the construction of the green roof (not recommended!), Good Earth’s green roof will be the only permitted green roof in the whole state of California! The success of the project and the resulting interest has led to the creation of an addition to the Good Earth family of companies, GreenScaped Buildings.

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