Last Call - Explore Green Infrastructure Opportunities for Environmental and Economic Justice in Chicago

The Regional Grey to Green Conference: Exploring Green Infrastructure and Economic and Environmental Justice is set to take place in Chicago, IL, this week on June 6 -7, 2024. Hosted by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities with co-host Blacks in Green, the conference will delve into the latest design and product advancements, economic valuation, public policy, and design and maintenance best practices in green roofs and walls. The conference will explore opportunities to integrate green infrastructure design, installation and maintenance with the goals of achieving greater community environmental and economic justice. The event is approved for 7 CEUs from: AIA, ASLA, IIBEC, and GRP. Learn more about the training, tours and the Grey to Green conference here.

Green infrastructure, encompassing green roofs, green walls, and other forms of living architecture, has emerged as a critical solution in addressing environmental challenges. The conference aims to inform policy by advocating for increased investment and care in green infrastructure on both local and global scales.

Moreover, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP) training, a comprehensive certification program developed to address the need for skilled professionals in the installation and maintenance of green roofing systems. In addition to educational sessions, the conference will feature networking opportunities, tours of local green infrastructure projects, and a networking reception. 

Conference speakers include:

• Keynote: Naomi Davis, Founder and CEO, Blacks In Green (BIG™): The Sustainable Square Mile™: Healing a Community with G-O-D ~ Garden Oriented Development™

• Angela Tovar, Chief Sustainability Officer and Commissioner, City of Chicago: City of Chicago Climate Action Plan

• David Yocca, FASLA, RLA, GRP, Director of Green Infrastructure, Blacks In Green (BIG™), and Board Chair, Green Infrastructure Foundation (GIF): Sustainable Square Mile Performance through Community-Scale Green Infrastructure

• Ben Bezark, Director, Greenleaf Advisors, LLC and Greenleaf Communities: Sustainable Square Mile Performance through Community-Scale Green Infrastructure

• Steven W. Peck, GRP, GRIMP, Hon. ASLA, Founder & President, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities: Maximizing Design Performance with the Living Architecture Performance Tool

• Lydia Link, Build Shop Manager and Urban Ecology Specialist, Studio Gang: Elevated Opportunity: Urban Rooftops for Ecosystem Repair

• Tom Price, P.E., Principal Engineer, Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc.: Stanley Center for Peace & Security – The Planet’s First Living Building Challenge Downtown Retrofit

• Michael Krause, President and Director of Strategy, Kandiyoh Development Partners: Accessing U.S. Federal Funding for Green Infrastructure

• Peter Graves, Omni Workshop Senior Associate: Omni Workshop Landscapes On-Structure | Integrating Science & Design

• Blaine Stand, GRP, GRIMP, Professional Resources Manager, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities: Case Studies of Solar & Green Roof Integrated Design

• Sydney VanKuren, Climate Equity Planning Manager, Greenprint Partners: Equity Guide for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Practitioners: Advancing & Measuring Equity in GSI Policies, Programs, and Projects

• Panel: Best Practices of Green Roof Maintenance: Michael Davenport, Director of Landscape Management, Omni Ecosystems; Kevin Crist, GRP, Director of Construction, Intrinsic Landscaping; Lydia Link, Build Shop Manager and Urban Ecology Specialist, Studio Gang

For more information and registration details, please visit our website. 

Thank you to our sponsors, Omni Ecosystems, Siplast, Green Roof Solutions, American Hydrotech.

Thank you to our GRIMP training sponsors Omni Ecosystems, LiveRoof, Intrinsic Landscaping.

---

From the Living Architecture Monitor