This year marks the 41st anniversary of Earth Day, and there are tons of events planned on and around April 22 to raise global awareness about the environment – I say let’s celebrate the entire month of April!

Last year our inaugural “Love the Earth, Plant a Roof!” Earth Day Photo Contest was a lot of fun and a big success!  We had a great response with 30 contest entries (see the Top 10 here) and over 1,500 votes for our readers’ favorite greenroof.   We’re pleased to offer it again in celebration of Earth Day 2011:

What is it?

The Love the Earth, Plant a Roof!” Earth Day Photo Contest is a great way to create interest in beautiful living rooftop architecture and highlight some outstanding designs.  It’s designed to be quick, simple, and fun, and is basically is a popularity contest among our international readership. Any and all types of greenroofs are eligible, any place on Earth.

Submit a photo and your friends and colleagues vote for your favorite greenroof!  This year we’ll be using Facebook to post entries and track votes plus keeping everyone updated on our Greenroofs.com Facebook page.  The contest is open to everyone, not just the roof owner or the designers of record. And voting is open to everyone, too, as many times as you like – but only once per day – so tell your friends to vote for your submission!

Here’s an example for inspiration, although you can certainly vote for it, too:

When is it?

Photo Submission Dates: April 8 – 22, 2011
Voting Dates: Earth Day, April 8 – April 29, 2011
Announcement of Winner: April 30, 2011

What do I have to do to enter the contest?

First, you’ll have to be our Fan on Facebook.

Then read the Official Rules, and click on the “Submit an entry” tab and follow the directions: Post your photo – remember this is a photo contest and it should be gorgeous!  In the caption field, start with the Project Name and Location.  Tell us how this roof is a living example of loving the Earth to let everyone know why they should vote for this particular greenroof project photo.  Make sure to credit the photographer if it’s not yours (also make sure you have permission).  Then tell your friends!

The project doesn’t have to be listed in The Greenroof & Greenwall Projects Database, but we’d love to have it included so people can read more about it.  (For example, see the Heinz 57 Center/Gimbels Building Restoration profile here.) Check to see if one already exists, and if not, you can use the online submittal form here, or just send us info and up to 11 photos and/or graphics to projects@greenroofs.com.

Requirements:

~ You can enter as often as you wish, but only one photo per project for the Contest (send more photos and project description for the blog post if you win or the Projects Database profile).
~ Entries must be color digital images, and less than 5 megabytes in size.
~ It has to be a real vegetated roof project, and no graphics or Photoshopping!
~ You must be the sole owner of the copyright of any image submitted.  Didn’t take the photo yourself? Make sure you check for any copyright issues – we’re not liable!  Send us written permission from the copyright holder if it’s not yours.
~ State the date photo was taken or at least the year.
~ Don’t break any laws or bones while taking the photos!
~ And, obviously, by submitting the photo you agree to its being published.

What do I get if “my” project wins?

The photo with the most votes will be announced as the winner.  The winner will have “their” project highlighted on Greenroofs.com as an upcoming Greenroof Project of the Week and we’ll feature you in a Sky Gardens interview so you can really tell us more about this living roof and why you love it so much.

And, as a humble token of our esteem, the winner will also receive $100.

Last year, although it didn’t win (ESRI Canada’s Garden in the Sky did), we featured the absolutely stunning Longdrive in Long Eddy, NY on the cover of our Greenroofs and Walls of the World™ Calendar – and once again, we’ll choose one of the “Love the Earth, Plant a Roof!” Photo Contest photos for the 2012 Calendar cover – that’s some high profile free advertising!

Can I post the same project as last year?

Sure.

How do I vote?

It’s easy – just hit the Vote now button at the bottom of the page.  To vote for your favorites, click “Comment to vote.”  Your comment is your vote for that entry!

Get Going!

Start submitting, good luck, and start telling your friends now! Vote for your favorite on the Greenroofs.com Love the Earth, Plant a Roof! Voting Page on Facebook.  What better way to love the Earth than by celebrating ways to tread more lightly, like with living roofs?

Happy Greening for the Earth:  for the month of April, Earth Day, and every day!

~ Linda V.