Here are a few stories out in the news:

1. Grass on your roof? pretty interesting idea – using roof turf mats for better thermal insulation and to reduce the “urban heat island” effect. The mental image is cool, but would it really work?
2. Self watering forests unusual desert forest in Oman pulls moisture from low hanging clouds
3. Lichen survive in the ultimate harsh environment – space! lichen exposed to the vacuum of space for 15 days went dormant, but returned to normal metabolism upon their return to earth. I kid you not.
4. Poplar trees – the new biofuel? The first tree genome has been sequenced and scientists are interested in using the tree’s natural variability to create a new ethanol fuel source. Additional information here and here.