Josh Stewart | Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP)
Josh Stewart, GRIMP
Josh is an experienced sustainability professional specializing in ESG project management, technical sales, and education delivery. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Environmental Studies and is currently pursuing an MBA in Sustainable Innovation at the University of Victoria. He is a registered Green Roof Professional (GRP), Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP), and Environmental Professional in Training (EPt). He is a founding member and current Secretariat for the Green Roof Infrastructure Network of B.C. (GRIN BC). Josh has been a SME speaker at various GRHC events such as Grey to Green & Cities Alive, as well as in academic, trades, and policy settings. Since 2021, he has served as the technical representative for Soprema’s vegetated, stormwater management, and solar PV roofing systems in Western Canada.
Learn more about our GRIMP trainings happening in New York City on May 2, Toronto on June 19, Denver on August 14, and in Raleigh, NC on October 23.
1. How did you hear about Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the GRIMP program?
I became aware of the Green Roof Installation & Maintenance Professional (GRIMP) program through my work at Soprema, by following Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), The Roofing Contractors Association of B.C. (RCABC), and through my involvement with the Green Roof Infrastructure Network of BC (GRIN BC). Given the strong industry demand for this program, once it launched, it was nearly impossible not to hear about it.
2. What motivated you to pursue GRIMP accreditation?
I was eager to continue my professional development and saw this as a practical way to strengthen the connection between the ‘roofing’ and ‘green roofing’ communities. Soprema’s support of the program, along with its commitment to professional development, made it even more appealing. Ultimately, the name recognition of the partners (GRHC, RCABC, and expert contributors) assured me I would receive quality content and instruction.
3. During the training or in your work, what aspect of green roof installation and maintenance did you find most rewarding?
The collaborative nature and variety of work in the green infrastructure (GI) industry are incredibly rewarding. Every day involves interacting with multiple stakeholders, often balancing the interests of designers, contractors, owners, manufacturers, and many others. It truly takes a village to make these projects successful. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic industry, and you certainly won’t find one with better views.
4. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in green infrastructure?
For both newcomers and experienced professionals from related industries, taking advantage of professional development and networking opportunities is crucial. While GRIMP is one of the best ways to gain market recognition, it’s just one of many valuable industry opportunities available. Some of the best advice, industry advocacy, and memorable experiences I’ve had came from collaborating with both competitors and regular partners.
5. What trends in green roofs or sustainability inspire you for the future?
I’m encouraged by the increasing depth of research and discussion surrounding green infrastructure. While there is still work to be done in accelerating GI adoption, particularly in policy, we now have an entire industry of like-minded professionals shaping a more sustainable built environment. The efforts of early advocates laid the foundation for today’s thriving industry. With a wealth of case studies, academic research, and ongoing policy discussions, there is every reason to expect accelerated growth in policy support, robust true-cost accounting, and increased GI adoption in the near future.
6. How do you see the role of skilled green roof installation and maintenance in promoting urban resilience and addressing environmental challenges?
On a personal level, I spent several years living in a condo complex with no vegetative cover. My only access to green space (and the benefits it offers) was outside my neighborhood. This lack of resilient planning became painfully clear during COVID-19, when I was unable to leave the complex for weeks. While that was a short-term personal challenge, it underscores the broader, long-term consequences of inadequate GI planning. On the positive side, GI’s power lies in its multiplier effect. It has the the unique ability to provide simultaneous, complementary benefits to communities in ways that few other solutions can. Skilled installers and maintenance professionals are the first line of defense in ensuring these systems succeed.
7. How do you envision a GRIMP-certified professional contributing to the success of green roofing projects?
A GRIMP-certified professional ensures that green roofing projects are implemented and maintained to the highest industry standards. This accreditation also highlights the often-overlooked importance of long-term maintenance. By combining hands-on trade skills with essential education and advocacy around maintenance, both individual projects and the wider industry benefit. The GRIMP community is a major force to push for better, more widely accepted, maintenance requirements on projects.
8. Have you had a chance to put what you learned into practice? If so, can you share a recent project where it was particularly beneficial?
Every day. Regardless of an individual’s academic background, work experience, or lived experience, programs like this offer immense value that goes beyond an individuals benefit. This certification was born out of need to address an industry gap in installation and maintenance best practices. It meets this need by providing standardized knowledge and skills that the entire industry benefits from.
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is a non-profit 501(c)(6) professional industry association working to grow the green roof and wall industry throughout North America since 1999. Our mission is to develop and protect the market by increasing the awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roofs, green walls, and other forms of living architecture through education, advocacy, professional development, and celebrations of excellence.
We publish The Living Architecture Monitor quarterly online magazine where industry leaders share their insights and expertise. These articles increase awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roofs, walls and other forms of living architecture.
We also offer free access to The Living Architecture Academy, an online professional development platform which is dedicated to bringing you the best, most up to date professional training information on design, installation and maintenance practices across a wide range of green infrastructure topics. The LAA offers short lectures and multi-day courses such as: Green Roof Professional Training, Introduction to Green Walls, Biodiverse Green Roof Maintenance, and more.
We also publish the Green Pages: Industry Green Roof and Wall Directory which is designed to support you with your living architecture projects by providing a list of trusted manufacturers, suppliers of accessories, green walls, nurseries, and certified Green Roof Professionals (GRPs). From small-scale residential projects to large commercial installations, this directory has everything you need to find support to create a sustainable and beautiful living space.
