We were lucky to have so many experts from afar visit Portland in March, and one significant outcome has now come to fruition. 

During Stephan Brenneisen's visit in early March, he and his colleague Raphael Schneider met with BES staff to develop a concept for an ecoroof that provides habitat value and increases biodiversity. The outcome was a series of test plots on ground level that recreate the methods they found successful in Switzerland.

The project was constructed by Rafael Schneider with help from BES staff. There are 28 6'x6’ plots, each with a different combination and layering of soil media. All are planted with the same native seed mix and mulched with either straw or hay. Soil media consist of straw, native soil from the site, compost, and wood chips produced at the treatment plant. All receive full sun and are only irrigated manually.