If you’re a commercial business,  you  could call it  street art, if you’re a private homeowner perhaps it could be backyard art, but in any case if  you’re an environmentalist at heart then here’s your opportunity to own a piece of very unique greenroofed pop art  and support a  Washington, D.C.  non-profit champion, D.C. Greenworks.

DC Greenworks, a 501 c3 non-profit, is the U.S. national capital region’s preeminent greenroof advocate and educator, as well as a one-stop-shop for greenroof consultation, design, and installation.    They serve the Washington, D.C. community by providing training, tools, and techniques that utilize, protect and advance the environment.   More:

“DC Greenworks sees a vital connection between economy and ecology, employment potential and environmental sustainability.   We actively seek to discover, promote, and deliver cutting edge solutions that are cost effective, eco-friendly, and socially beneficial.  Our mission is to create livable communities using living materials.”

D.C. Greenworks is wrapping up one of their most successful public projects – Project H, a temporary environmental art installation in partnership with Washington, D.C.  Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s Green Summer Job Corps.   For decades, little attention had been given to streetscaping along H Street, NE and after years of anticipation, two dozen DC youth built and painted 40 Project H Street planters last summer.

The result was a new, colorful streetscape that blossomed along the bustling H Street, NE corridor.   But this spring, new trees will begin to be planted along H Street, NE and that means DC Greenworks has these 40 vividly beautiful H-shaped planter boxes ready to become eye-catching environmental sculptures for your yard, home, or business.   The Project H planters come in blue, orange, yellow, pink, and purple and are available on a first come, first served basis, starting April 7.

“For each Project H planter box, we are asking for a minimum donation of $200 to be made payable to DC Greenworks.   We encourage you to give more to help us advance our work revitalizing urban communities and growing a sustainable economy by integrating natural systems into the built environment.   Every dollar is tax deductible.” ~ DC Greenworks

We’re long admirers here at Greenroofs.com of  D.C. Greenworks’ work and commitment.   In fact, we included a couple of their projects in our Top 10 List of Hot Trends in Greenroof Design  for both 2008 in the #10 category, “Client Specific ‘Boutique Greenroofs: Greenroofs as Community Green Collar Job Opportunities”  and in 2009 we created a new category for such organizations offering education in the  #6 position, “Sustainable Stimulus: Green Buildings Creating Green Collar Jobs.”   They are committed to green mandates and achieving the highest possible LEED standards while offering job training for District youth.   For example, the 4,000 sf Franklin D. Reeves Center  roof was designed in 2007  to help reduce stormwater runoff into the Anacostia River and global warming while creating job training opportunities.   As a result of this project, twelve young adults received training in horticulture and greenroof installation through DC Greenworks.

Another current awesome D.C. Greenworks project offers free shade trees through this April for their neighbors in the D.C. neighborhoods of Atlas District and Trinidad – planting included!   For either program, contact Ashley Hanna  of D.C. Greenworks at: 202.518.6195,  ashley@dcgreenworks.org,  or visit their website.    By the way, volunteers are always welcome at D.C. Greenworks.   If you’d like to sign up to learn about greenroofing, hands on, in a day of volunteerism, please email them at: volunteer@dcgreenworks.org.

Help D.C. Greenworks  find green-loving homes for their 40 unique hand-made, freshly-planted, pop-art inspired planter boxes.   Along with corporate and social giants, you too, could have your very own piece of Project H at a reasonable cost!   For those of you with a philanthropic bent, celebrate spring with  these funky, living creations  from a group of caring and creative individuals  who  provide  hands-on green-centered apprenticeships for disadvantaged District youth.

Happy Greening ~ Linda V.