Spring is here and the YMCA is ready to accomplish our green goals!
At the Y, we are always finding innovative ways to build a healthier and more sustainable community – and now our West End YMCA Centre has found a way to take our green initiatives to new heights.
The West End Green Team redesigned and rebuilt the north east roof area of the centre into a Green Roof in 2012. Enjoying robust community engagement in a number of green initiatives, the centre also created a sunny rooftop vegetable garden in the same year.
The centre’s gardening club, volunteers, community and staff members start the rooftop garden planting process, but also teach the kids at the West End Y’s child care centre how to grow the vegetables. The herbs and vegetables produced in the garden are then harvested and provided as snacks and lunches for the children in child care. The centre’s staff, volunteers and community members who help tending the garden also share in the bounty of fresh, organic produce.
The green roof also serves as a natural outdoor space to enhance the curriculum and experience of our licensed child care centre.
Here are some benefits of our green roofs:
- Energy efficiency
- Improved air quality
- Reduced storm water runoff
- Increased natural habitat for local wildlife
- Longer lasting than conventional roofs
- More usable outdoor space for classes and other activities
- Volunteer and educational opportunities for members and community, including roles for children and families
If you want to make a positive contribution to our green projects, you can do so by becoming an active member of the green initiatives committee at your local YMCA.
Click here to learn more about volunteering on our Green Teams.
