Expanding Green Infrastructure, Training, and Industry Connections

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*Charles Ormsby, Arup and Stan Szwalek, Hoerr Schaudt finishing a case study session at CitiesAlive 2024.*

2025 Conferences & Events

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities: 2025 Event Program

As climate change continues to impact cities across North America, the need for resilient, sustainable solutions has never been greater. Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) will not be organizing its CitiesAlive conference in 2025. In its place were are pleased to present an exciting lineup of events in 2025 that will be closer to you, and that will bring together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and advocates to explore the latest advancements in green roofs, walls and other forms of green infrastructure Our Grey to Green conference series will be making stops in five major cities, each facing unique environmental challenges and opportunities for green infrastructure implementation.

Whether you're in Toronto, Denver, Raleigh, Vancouver, or Houston, these events offer:

An unparalleled opportunity to stay informed on the latest green infrastructure policies and programs in your region
Network with like-minded industry professionals
Learn about local projects from award winning designers
Learn new skills through our robust training programs that were created by multiple industry experts
Earn continuing education credits
We invite you to review our 2025 prospective event list. For details on our upcoming virtual and in-person events visit greenroofs.org/events-2025.*

May 2 | GRIMP Training: New York City, NY
May 23 | Grey to Green Conference: Vancouver, BC
May 30 - June 6 | Nature in the City Week: Toronto, ON + Virtual Presentations
June 19 | GRIMP Training: Toronto, ON
June 20 | Grey to Green Conference: Toronto, ON
August 14 | GRIMP Training: Denver, CO
August 15 | Grey to Green Conference: Denver, CO
September 25 | Grey to Green Conference: Houston, TX
October 23 | GRIMP Training: Raleigh, NC
October 24 | Grey to Green Conference: Raleigh, NC
December 10 | Jeffrey L. Bruce Green Roof and Wall Awards of Excellence Ceremony: Online

*Please note that dates are subject to change.

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NYC Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional Training - May 2, 2025

This new certification involves a combination of hands-on and presentation style training. It introduces attendees to the basic skills and knowledge required to install green roofs and maintain them. This training provides participants with a grounding in this information, covering a variety of green roof systems, to provide green roof installers and maintenance professionals with the information, techniques, and training necessary to successfully install and maintain basic extensive green roofs.

Registration includes:

In-Person, 8 Hour, Hands-On Training Session to learn how to assemble four different green roof systems
Access to 2.5 Hours of Online Training focused on maintenance best practices
Downloadable Digital Resource Manual
One attempt at the GRIMP Exam
One year Individual Membership with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (valued at $160 USD)

Vancouver – May 23, 2025

Vancouver, known for its stunning natural landscape and commitment to sustainability, is a leader in green infrastructure adoption. With rising concerns about urban heat islands and biodiversity loss, green roofs and walls play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance in the city. The Grey to Green conference in Vancouver will highlight how integrating living architecture can enhance urban resilience and support the city's ambitious climate goals.

Grey to Green Conference Website Link
Registration Link

Toronto – June 20, 2025

Toronto has long been at the forefront of green roof policies, being the first North American city to implement a Green Roof Bylaw. However, as extreme weather events and urban flooding become more frequent, expanding green infrastructure remains a top priority. The Grey to Green event in Toronto will showcase cutting-edge research, innovative case studies, and policy advancements that demonstrate the city's leadership in sustainable urban development.

Grey to Green Conference Website Link
Registration Link

Denver – August 15, 2025

With its semi-arid climate and growing urban population, Denver faces water management challenges that green infrastructure can help mitigate. Green roofs, permeable pavements, and urban forests are essential tools for conserving water, reducing stormwater runoff, and improving air quality. The Grey to Green conference in Denver will explore strategies for expanding sustainable development in the Rocky Mountain region.

Grey to Green Conference Website Link

Registration Link

Houston – September 25, 2025

Houston is no stranger to extreme weather, including hurricanes and heavy rainfall that contribute to devastating flooding. Green roofs and other nature-based solutions can help absorb stormwater, reduce urban heat, and improve community resilience. The Grey to Green event in Houston will focus on the role of living architecture in disaster mitigation and sustainable urban planning.

Grey to Green Conference Website Link

Registration Link

Raleigh – October 24, 2025

Raleigh, part of the fast-growing Research Triangle, is at a critical juncture in balancing urban expansion with environmental conservation. Green infrastructure can help manage stormwater, support biodiversity, and improve public health. The Grey to Green conference in Raleigh will bring together experts and decision-makers to discuss how cities in the southeastern U.S. can integrate green infrastructure into their growth strategies.

Grey to Green Conference Website Link

Registration Link

Each of these conferences will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities. Whether you're a professional in the industry, a policymaker, or simply passionate about sustainable cities, the Grey to Green series offers a unique platform to learn, collaborate, and drive change.

Join us in 2025 as we continue to advocate for greener, healthier cities. Stay tuned for registration details and speaker announcements by visiting the Grey to Green Conference website at greytogreenconference.org.

Sponsorships for 2025 events are now available. Please contact conferences@greenroofs.org or Eric Durnford, Director of Business Development and Events at edurnford@greenroofs.org

Upcoming Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP) Training

For up to date details on our hands on GRIMP hand on training visit greenroofs.org/green-roof-installation-maintenance-professional

New York City, NY - May 2, 2025
Toronto, ON – June 19, 2025
Denver, CO – August 14, 2025

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Professional Training

The Living Architecture Academy brings you the best, most up to date professional training information on design, installation and maintenance practices for green infrastructure. Start your professional development journey today!.

New Course Released on the Living Architecture Academy

Introduction to Green Roof and Solar Integration

Green roofs and solar technologies have long been considered to best exist independently of each other, both competing for roof space in the fight against climate change. But what if these technologies worked better together than they ever could apart. Introduction to Green Roof and Solar Integration explores the synergies and efficiencies that can be gained from combining these two approaches, and how we can accelerate urban resilience by expanding the scope of sustainable roofs.

Other popular courses on the Living Architecture Academy Include:

Solar + Green Roof Integration Virtual Symposium Recordings - Multiple Presenters
Introduction to Solar Green Roof Integration - Blaine Stand, Professional Resources Manager
Biodiverse Green Roof Maintenance - Cynthia Pohl, Living Lands Landscape and Design
Biophilic Holism - Elizabeth Calabrese, Biophilic Studies
Green Infrastructure Research Virtual Symposium - Multiple Presenters
Green Infrastructure Policy Virtual Symposium - Multiple Presenters
And many more!

New & Returning Members

W.R. Meadows: W. R. MEADOWS, INC. designs, manufactures and markets high quality products and systems for today’s construction and green building professionals.
DJS Reps: Based in Colorado, DJS represents leading green building manufacturers, connecting innovative, sustainable products with architects, contractors, and developers to create high-performance green buildings across the region.

Congratulations 2024 PREP Fellowship Graduates

The Preprofessional Recognition of Excellence and Potential (PREP) Fellowship Program are students who have been nominated by faculty members from the Regional Academic Centers of Excellence (RACE) for their potential leadership and contribution in the field of living architecture.

Casey Benderoth, University of Vermont
Alexis Bernstein, University of Colorado - Denver
Maria Chavez, Colorado State University
Eliza Gross, Colorado State University
Nomin Lyons, Portland State University
Aidan Nowell, University of Colorado - Denver
Achyuth Ravilla, Portland State University

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Congratulations 2024 Green Roof Professionals (GRPs)

With the Green Roof Professional Exam now online, it has never been easier to complete your accreditation. Congratulations to our most recent graduates. We look forward to working with you to grow the green roof industry across North America.

Maria Chavez
Mélodie Desmarais
Steven Foster
Coley Hampton
Steven Hughes
Brendan McKee
Richard Miller
Adnan Mufti
Nadezhda Mikhailovna Pirovich
Benjamin Scott
Benjamin Shea
Josh Stewart
Joanna White

Congratulations 2024 Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professionals (GRIMPs)

Responding to a lack of formalized, independent hands-on installation and maintenance training around green roofing systems and a lack of qualified professionals, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities began the process of developing a new training opportunity to address those deficiencies in the form of the Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP) certification program.