The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum has long been touted as an eco-friendly building. Now the Clinton Foundation is creating a green roof on an area surrounding Clinton’s penthouse apartment at the library. 

Instead of bare concrete, the glass and steel building will be topped with 90 species of plants including strawberries, ferns, switch grass, roses, and other greenery. The garden also will be maintained in an eco-friendly manner, meaning no gasoline-powered mowers and no chemicals. Clinton — who has used his nonprofit foundation to promote sustainable development and environmentally friendly building practices — would like to see green roofs used nationwide. He recently announced a program through his foundation aimed at helping homeowners and commercial building owners modernize their buildings to reduce energy use. The $165 million library complex is the first presidential library to earn an award from the U.S. Green Committee for environmental design. Flooring is made from recycled rubber tires, solar panels sit on another section of the roof and the parking lot has bicycle racks and charging stations for electric cars. When it opened in 2004, the library earned a LEED silver rating. Earlier this month, it earned a platinum certification for continuing projects on its existing buildings. Although the garden will not be open to library visitors, the facilities director hopes to have exhibits describing the roof and how it helps the environment. And she would like to share the garden’s herbs and vegetables with visitors.  

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21871320/ Associated Press, November 16, 2007