Bexar Audubon Society is proud to announce cash prizes for the two "Best Vegetated Roofs" finished in the year ending April 18, 2009.

A vegetated-roof is just what the name implies, a roof covered largely or entirely with plants. Such rooftops are one of the most promising trends in urban conservation, for residential, commercial and public buildings.

Buildings with such roofs incur lower heating/cooling costs. We all can benefit from the resulting reduced demand for energy, reduced heat-island effect on urban weather, cleaner air, and expanded habitat for birds and beneficial insects.

Additional potential benefits for business include increased customer traffic; more usable business space (rooftop break areas, snackbars and boutiques); even tourism (think about the famous "Hanging Gardens of Babylon").

Some cities have already advanced this concept a long way. Chicago, for example, has over a million square feet of vegetated rooftops, including city hall. There are even a few examples here in San Antonio, but our potential has barely begun to be tapped.

To encourage local building owners, architects and builders to step up their vegetated roof games to the next level, Bexar Audubon if offering a first prize of $2,000 for the building owner or renter who finances construction and $500 for the primary creator (designer or constructor) of the best vegetated roof. Second prize will be $1,000 and $250.

Any new or existing building -- public, industrial, commercial or residential -- in the Bexar Audubon area (Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Bandera, Wilson, Atascosa and Medina Counties) is eligible.

There is no minimum size, but roofs must be “substantially” vegetated, i.e., enough to make a significant difference in energy waste, heat island effect and/or human or wildlife use. A panel of judges chosen by Bexar Audubon Society will make an on-site inspection, plus follow-up visits as needed, during July-August 2009. Judging will be based on a holistic impression of each roof’s effectiveness, attractiveness and creativity. Judges’ decisions are final.

Applications will be accepted from April 18 to June 30, 2009. Forms will be at http://www.bexaraudubon.org by April 18, 2009. There is no fee, but photos and a brief narrative are requested. Announcement of winners will be made by Sept. 30, 2009. Presentations will be scheduled by mutual agreement.

For details, see http://www.bexaraudubon.org/prize.html. For aditional questions, e-mail president@bexaraudubon.org