CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's earth day and workers are moving the earth high above Charlotte. They're installing a green roof on top of the Federal Reserve Bank in Uptown Charlotte.

Our cameras were given exclusive access to this very secure federal building. Workers are covering part of the roof, about 60,000 square feet, with dirt, rocks and tiny plants.

Fred Perron with Cyclone Roofing says the plants are carefully chosen to survive our hot and sometimes very dry summers. The plants and soil absorb and delay storm water runoff that can wash sediment and pollutants into our rivers and streams. The roof can reduce the heat island effect uptown and it will keep the building cooler in the summer.

“You cut all of the UV rays out and you keep the hot and cold fluctuations from happening because it’s insulated by the green roof,” Perron said.

The green roof is not only good for the environment. It's good for business too. It costs and extra 20 percent to install, but it can double the life-span of this roof.

Adam Pilsbury works at the bank. He says the costs savings made installing the green roof an easy choice. Their current roof was leaking 15 years after it was installed. They hope this will last 30 years.

“It started with an idea to get people out on the roof and provide some options for employees. But it became a business decision with a dose of altruism,” Pilsbury said.

The installation should be completed in May. When it's done, workers can even come up here to walk along the winding sidewalks, enjoying the Carolina blue skies, and their very own green roof!

The same company installing the green roof also built the green roof on top of the parking deck at the Discovery Place Museum. That one is owned by the City of Charlotte.