The college says planting materials for the Brunswick campus’ first living, or “green,” roof arrived Tuesday. They were hoisted to the top of the building that houses the college’s high-efficiency, low-emissions boiler than can burn natural gas and No. 2 heating oil.

The roof, which is covered with a variety of flowering plants, reduces the urban “heat island” effect, extends the life of the roof and absorbs rain water. And as a side benefit, it doesn’t make for a bad view from the upper floors of the nearby Buck Center.

Bowdoin has a mission statement to be mindful of its impact on the environment of coastal Maine.