Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010 - (Page 1)

FROM THE FOUNDER LAYING ROOTS FOR GREEN JOBS “What is a weed but a plant whose virtues have never been discovered.” FROM POLICY ADVOCACY TO SUPPORTING YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, GRHC MEMBERS ARE WELL-POSITIONED TO GREEN THE ROOFTOPS AND WALLS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES allow GRPs to go onto their web-based profile and provide marketing information and describe projects they have worked on to further differentiate themselves. The Living Architecture Toolbox will feature other exclusive resources such as presentations, back issues of the Living Architecture Monitor and tools such as the Greensave Calculator. In May 2009, Toronto City Council voted overwhelmingly to support the adoption of the Toronto Green Roof Bylaw (www.toronto.ca/greenroofs/index.htm), becoming the first major city in North America to require green roofs on new buildings. The bylaw also establishes a Construction Standard with new provisions such as minimum depth of growing media, waterproof testing and the development of a maintenance plan. Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York, Milwaukee and Portland are also adding to a growing list of other governments investing in green roofs installations. On the international stage, it was a pleasure to co-host, with the City of Toronto, the first World Green Roof Congress in October 2009 on behalf of the World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN). Delegates from more than 30 countries participated, leaving Toronto with much anticipation for the 2nd World Congress, hosted by the Mexican Green Roof Association, in Mexico City from October 7-9, 2010 (http://www.amenamex.org/). In furthering our commitment to develop the industry and encourage supportive policymaking, GRHC is holding a Washington D.C. Regional Green Roof and Wall Conference and Training event on June 2, 2010. Washington is a hot market and the feds are leading. Designed to position green roofs and walls in the context of the new federal stormwater management requirements, this event is focused for federal officials, specifiers and developers (see page 21). Please plan on joining us for GRHC’s 8th Annual conference (rebranded as CitiesAlive!) in Vancouver, B.C. from Nov. 30th to Dec. 3rd, 2010. We are proud to have BCIT onboard as the academic co-host for the CitiesAlive! conference. I hope you enjoy a healthy and prosperous year and discover new vegetative “virtues,” as suggested by Emerson, while together we pursue a more sustainable society. T his 19th Century quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson reflects the strong aesthetic underpinning of today’s predominant urban cultural view of vegetation, as well as the possibility that there is inherently more value in plants than first meets the eye. As we round out the first decade of the 21st Century, it appears we are discovering there are multiple values in urban green technologies such as green roofs, walls, urban forests and community gardens. As these forms of “leafy” green infrastructure demand more public policy attention because of their multitude of benefits, we further discover that in addition to aesthetic values, there are significantly more green jobs to be created (see page 10). Looking back over 2009, I am proud to say that despite the economic malaise, our industry grew, and succeeded in putting down some very strong roots for the development of new green jobs. The greatest highlight was the incredible buzz around the more than 130 individuals who completed the first Green Roof Professional (GRP) Exam during our annual conference last June in Atlanta, Georgia. I was amazed at the wide diversity of building professionals – spanning both the “black” and the “green” arts – from all corners of the North American continent. Congrats to the more than 250 new individuals who became GRPS in 2009. You are truly the frontline ambassadors of our industry. Heading into 2010, we want to help you achieve your professional development goals with new courses on subjects such as integrated site and building water management, advanced maintenance, and urban food production currently under development. As your industry association, we also continue to support your business-building efforts. As part of this commitment, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has launched the Living Architecture Toolbox, a members only section on our website that contains new tools and products as well as an expanded referral service focused on GRPs. The new system will also Steven W. Peck, GRP Founder and president, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR WINTER 2010 1 http://www.toronto.ca/greenroofs/index.htm http://www.toronto.ca/greenroofs/index.htm http://www.amenamex.org/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010
Contents
Laying Roots for Green Jobs
Outstanding Student Design
Passing of a Legend
New Federal Stormwater Guidelines From EPA
Partnering Science with Service
On the Roof with...Eden Brukman, Reg. Arch., LEED(R) AP
The Leaf Effect
Who Owns the Green Roof?
Planting the Federal Inventory
Curb Appeal
Maintenance Matters
Professional Development Update
Professional Calendar
Congratulations New GRPS
Welcome New Corporate Members
Green Roof Energy Calculator
Doing No Harm

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Winter 2010