RES is proud to help bring to life the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL)—a project that not only honors the legacy of one of America’s most conservation-minded presidents but also sets a new standard for ecological stewardship and regenerative landscape design.

Set atop a plateau on the edge of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, North Dakota, this 40-acre site is being transformed into an immersive prairie experience. The TRPL will blend architecture into the landscape, reconnect visitors with native ecosystems, and inspire new generations to value the natural world, just as Roosevelt did.

A living landscape
RES is leading the seeding, planting, and irrigation for the full site, including the installation of one of the largest native green roofs in the US. Spanning two acres and planted with more than 140,000 native plugs, the green roof is designed to disappear into the surrounding grasslands, embodying the project’s vision of architectural harmony with nature.

In total, the project includes the installation of 290,000 native plants. RES is custom-growing all plant materials, including genetically appropriate seed and containerized stock, to ensure long-term resilience and ecological fidelity. Our in-house nursery team, alongside our advisory services group, has supported this effort from the earliest planning stages through execution.

Built to the highest standards
In line with the Library’s commitment to sustainability, the project is pursuing the highest levels of certification:
• Living Building Challenge v4.0 Full Certification
• LEED BD+C v4.1 Platinum
• SITES v2 Platinum

Achieving these ambitious goals requires strict oversight. Sustainability reviews are required for all components. Materials like compost and landscape rock are required to be sourced locally, and nothing naturally occurring on the site may be removed.

Smart irrigation
To support plant establishment, RES is overseeing one of our subcontractors, Razor Edge Landscaping, in the installation of a carefully balanced irrigation system intended for phased use over the first three years. The green roof features 15-inch soil depths, which is remarkably deep for a rooftop system. The roof incorporates advanced soil moisture retention layers that reduce the need for supplemental irrigation as the vegetation becomes established.

Collaboration in conservation
The TRPL is a highly collaborative endeavor involving world-class partners including Snøhetta, JE Dunn Construction, Confluence, JLG Architects, and Aloha Landscaping. RES’s role as subcontractor focuses on bringing ecological performance to the forefront of this iconic development.