Maria Alejandra Acuna Alvarez | Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP)
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Maria Alejandra Acuna Alvarez, GRIMP
Maria Alejandra Acuna Alvarez is a Lead Green Roof Technician at Ginkgo Sustainability, where she focuses on the maintenance and long-term care of green roof systems in Toronto. She holds a degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation from the University of Guelph. Through her work, she has contributed to the upkeep of hundreds of green roofs, developing strong experience in plant care, seasonal maintenance, and supporting overall system health. She is passionate about expanding her knowledge of green roofs and contributing to more resilient and sustainable urban environments. Connect with her on LinkedIn, here.
How did you hear about Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the GRIMP program?
I first heard about Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the GRIMP program through my company, Ginkgo Sustainability, which was hosting the hands-on training portion. When I learned that a few spots were still available, I was eager to participate. Through the program, I was able to deepen my understanding of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the broader impact of their work within the industry.
What motivated you to pursue GRIMP accreditation?
Although I’ve been working in the green roof industry for a few years, my experience has primarily been in maintenance. I was motivated to pursue GRIMP accreditation to expand my knowledge of the full lifecycle of green roofs, particularly installation. Gaining a more comprehensive understanding of how systems are built allows me to approach maintenance with greater insight and intention.
During the training or in your work, what aspect of green roof installation and maintenance did you find most rewarding?
The hands-on training was the most rewarding part of the experience. It gave me the opportunity to explore the installation process in greater depth and better understand how each component of the system works together. This knowledge has been incredibly valuable, as it directly informs and improves the way I approach maintenance in my day-to-day work.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in green infrastructure?
Green infrastructure is a unique and collaborative field with many different career paths. My advice would be to stay curious and explore different areas until you find what resonates with you. There’s a niche for everyone.
What trends in green roofs or sustainability inspire you for the future?
What inspires me most is the growing recognition of how essential sustainability is. As environmental challenges become more urgent, there is a stronger push toward integrating green infrastructure into our cities. Seeing this shift gives me hope for a more environmentally conscious future.
How do you see the role of skilled green roof installation and maintenance in promoting urban resilience or addressing environmental challenges?
Skilled installation and maintenance play a critical role in ensuring green roofs perform effectively over time. One key benefit is their ability to reduce stormwater runoff, which is especially important as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense. Properly maintained systems help support urban resilience by managing water, improving biodiversity, and reducing heat in cities.
How do you envision having a GRIMP-certified professional contributing to the success of green roofing projects?
A GRIMP-certified professional brings a standardized level of knowledge and best practices to a project. This helps ensure that installations are done correctly and that long-term maintenance is effective, ultimately contributing to the overall success of green roofing systems.
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?
Yes, since completing the training, I’ve been able to apply what I learned directly to my work in maintenance. Having a better understanding of installation has helped me identify underlying issues more effectively and approach maintenance tasks with a more preventative mindset. For example, on a recent project, I was able to assess drainage and system layering more confidently, which helped guide more informed maintenance decisions.
Photo 1: Performing seasonal maintenance on a green roof system. Credit: Ginkgo Sustainability. Photo 2: A healthy roof system following a repair. Credit: Ginkgo Sustainability. Photo 3: A healthy and lush green roof system in Downtown Toronto. Credit: Ginkgo Sustainability. Photo 4: A tiny green roof resident I met during maintenance. Credit: Ginkgo Sustainability
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GRIMP Trainings will be held on June 11 in Chicago, May 22 in Toronto, and September 30 in Brooklyn. Learn more here.
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.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
