Nova Scotia Community College
ER-T2-2: Organic Garden

Waterfront Campus Green roof: The NSCC Waterfront Campus has a green roof that is a combination of extensive and intensive. An intensive green roof is also called a “rooftop garden”. The planting mediums have a greater depth than an extensive green roof (which is mainly grasses or sedums). The deeper soil allows intensive roofs to accommodate large plants. It also incorporates pathways through the gardens to allow visitors to interact with the natural surroundings. The green roof at the NSCC uses a variety of green products that includes: mats, plant baskets, grasses in thin soil and plants in thick soil. The roof houses a built-in irrigation system that is supplied by rain water and it does not just have sedums but has tall grasses and bushes. The garden is easily accessible to students so they can benefit educationally from it; it has a path running through the centre for easy observation and is attached to a penthouse classroom.

Burridge Campus Greenhouses: The NSCC Burridge campus currently has an environmental committee consisting of 18 staff and students. This committee has built compost bins and green houses. All of the food waste from the cafeteria is composted on site. In turn, the compost is used to grow vegetables in the greenhouses which is used for the cafeteria. The students assisted in the building of the greenhouses and the planters and also assist in the gardening. It is a great environment for students and staff to learn how garden and compost organically.