Watch the "Green Infrastructure Design and the Biophilic Effect" Keynote Address by Mary Ann Uhlmann from Our Virtual Summit 2013

In anticipation of Greenroofs.com‘s spectacular 2015 Virtual Summit on April 6 through May 31 – and in order to familiarize you with the event – we are now making the Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summit 2013 videos publicly available on our GreenroofsTV channel on YouTube to all free of charge.

Today we have the pleasure to air the “Green Infrastructure Design and the Biophilic Effect” Keynote Address by Mary Ann Uhlmann, who at the time was Manager, Vegetated Roof Systems Program Development for Tremco, Inc. We’ve known Mary Ann for several years, introduced by Ralph Velasquez, one of our former Contributing Editors and the previous Executive Director of Sustainability with Tremco Inc. Mary Ann is highly energetic, personable, and highly intelligent. Soft spoken, she has an undeniable sharp wit and is a joy to listen to or speak with.

As you may recall, Tremco Incorporated has been the leading supporter – the Rare Earth Sponsor – of our past two Virtual Summits, and Greenroofs.com is extremely thankful for their visionary leadership and patronage. Tremco Inc. is a leading supplier of sustainable roofing systems, including vegetative, cool roofing and more.

MaryAnnUhlmann-KeynotePhoto

In her Keynote Video Mary Ann asks, “Are vegetated roofs and walls inevitable? Are they an answer to a deep longing to connect with nature? The Biophilic Effect, a theory popularized by biologist and naturalist, Edward O. Wilson, suggests that mankind’s feelings about nature are innate, though not easily expressed in rational language. Emotions etched into our psyches millions of years ago when early man lived on open savannahs now express themselves in our desire to create park-like settings in the landscape. And now on our buildings. Are we inevitably drawn to create vegetated roofs in our urban landscapes?

In this keynote speech, I’ll pose this provocative question. I’ll introduce the theory of Biophilia, explain the adaptations we see in the landscape industry and finally in the emerging green infrastructure industry – what I call the final frontier for the Biophilic Effect.”

Here’s more:

MaryAnnUhlmann

“Atlanta, GA, USA. Mary Ann Uhlmann is [former] Manager, Vegetated Roof Systems Program Development for Tremco, Inc., and an environmental horticulturist. Her role is to provide clients with the highest quality vegetated roofing system and living architecture options possible. With experience from involvement in a large and diverse assortment of vegetated roofing projects across the US, she can offer clients successful, customized, high performance solutions. Mary Ann’s industry focus is to enlighten both the public and Tremco clients about the important role vegetated roofing and living architecture can play in mitigating manmade environmental challenges while enhancing the livability and sustainability of our cities and communities.

Mary Ann has been in the green industry for over 13 years, is an Accredited Green Roof Professional (GRP), a Certified Sustainable Urban Landscape Planner, and a Certified Plant Specialist. She studied architecture at the University of Florida and environmental horticulture at the University of Georgia, TCS. She is a member of the Georgia Green Industry Association, Board Member 1999-2001; ASLA, USGBC, and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.

Prior to Tremco, Mary Ann was the owner of The Gardening Lifestyle for 5 years and developer, GardenTrends Showcase. She has appeared on HGTV’s GroundBreakers and My Dream Garden.“ ~ VS2013

Watch the Keynote Video “Vegetation Development on Extensive Green Roofs Over Time” by Mary Ann Uhlmann below or see it specifically on its own channel, the Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summit 2013:

Our second foray in the world of virtual conferences, the Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summit 2013: Connecting the Planet + Living Architecture, was very successful at bringing together people from around the world to learn, discuss, and network in our field of living architecture. This time partnering with the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN), between Greenroofs.com and WGIN we produced 36 videos involving 59 esteemed international speakers, specifically: 22 Individual Presenters, including 5 Keynotes; 5 Panel Sessions; and 9 Collaborative Presentations.

Watch these other VS2013 videos released so far:

Vegetation Development on Extensive Green Roofs Over Time Video by Christine Thuring.

Investigación de Azoteas Verdes de la Universidad Autónoma Chapingo – Green Roof Research at the Chapingo Autonomous University Video by Dr. Gilberto Navas.

Sky Parks in the Public Realm – Elevating Green Ways and Urban Connectivity Panel Session with Dr. Maureen Connelly, Sadhu Aufochs Johnston, Randy Sharp, and Dr. Tan Puay Yok.

Skyrise Ag: 5 Ways to Local Food Production Collaborative Video with Helen Cameron, Mohamed Hage, George Irwin, Ben Flanner and Alan Joaquin.

Building-Integrated Vegetation: Redefining the Landscape or Chasing a Mirage? Opening Keynote Video by Aditya Ranade.

Mexico City’s Green Plan & Green Roofs – Areas Verdes de la Ciudad de Mexico & Azoteas Naturadas Video by Tanya Müller García.

The Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort Video by Jaron Lubin.

Phyto Kinetic: Gardens in Movement Video by Marc Grañén.

Profiles of Women Business Leaders Greening the Way Collaborative Video with Barbara Deutsch; Lexie Hain and Marguerite Wells; Vanessa Keitges; and Joy Schmidt.

Green Walls and Maintenance – Needs, Opportunities and Best Practices Panel Session Video with Melissa Daniels, Christopher Lyon, Steven Peck, and James Sable.

Reflections of a Green Roof Campaigner and Visions of the Future Keynote Video by Dusty Gedge.

Urban Green in Australia Video by Matt Dillon.

2012 Top 10 List of Hot Trends in Greenroof & Greenwall Design + A Look into 2013 Collaborative Video with Linda S. Velazquez and Haven Kiers.