Tours

Tours are our jam! We organize exclusive access to green roofs, as well as walking tours examining ground-level green infrastructure. To maximize impact, we try to arrange for at least one professional who knows the project or who can enhance experiential learning for all. RSVP is essential.

Upcoming Tours

July 22 - Pollinators and Green Infrastructure- Kitsilano

Getting Personal with Pollinators

Our July tour celebrates the integration of pollinator habitat within water sensitive landscapes and the built environment 🌸🐝🌸. This 1.3 km walking tour visits a range of pollinator habitats in Kitsilano, including:

a 23-year-old green roof garage and its water-sensitive garden
a native pollinator meadow, seeded 2 years ago
Tatlow Creek and its meadow planting (completed spring 2024)

We’re pleased to welcome staff from City of Vancouver’s Green Infrastructure Team along, to hear from them about the ambitious daylighting of Tatlow Creek. We’re delighted for the opportunity to visit the home of award-winning landscape architect, Randy Sharp, to savour his flavour of ecological design. Last but not least, we’re happy to feature at least one member from the Native Bee Society of BC, who will open our eyes – and minds – on how to to see native bees and what we can do to better support them.

🔹 Snag your spot to this educational gem led by top industry pros!!

📅 Date & Time: July 22, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

📍 Tour Starts: Point Grey Road Park

📍 Post-tour Picnic: Volunteer Park

September 16 - Rain Garden Walking Tour - East Vancouver

East Vancouver Rain Garden Walking Tour

This tour visits a spectrum of rain gardens on a 1.8 km walking tour 🌧🌱 We begin at Gibby’s Field, a new park featuring an ephemeral wetland, then walk along the Mosaic bike path to examine various rain gardens around Clark Park and Woodland Ave. The walk concludes at the Woodland and 2nd Ave installation, and wraps with a picnic across the street, in Alice Townley Park.

We’re pleased to be accompanied by staff from the City of Vancouver’s Green Infrastructure Team, who have built and retrofitted all the projects we will visit. Join us to learn everything you ever wanted to know about rain gardens!

🔹 Reserve your spot now (RSVP below)!

Sections of the walk feature uneven ground and may be challenging for those with mobility issues. Our post-tour GRIN social will take place at Alice Townley Park, and is open to all.

📅 Date: September 16, 4:30 pm–6:00 pm

📍 Tour starts: Gibby’s Field, East Vancouver

📍 Post-tour social: Alice Townley Park

October 21 - Stormwater Management on the North Shore - City of North Vancouver

Stormwater Management on the North Shore Tour

Explore the best of North Vancouver’s green infrastructure on this engaging walking tour! We’ll start at the Loblaws City Market green roof (Lonsdale & 17th Ave.), then stroll north along Lonsdale, stopping to explore rain gardens, street trees, and other stormwater features.

We’re proud to partner with the North Shore Streamkeepers, who will share their experience creating the new rain garden at North Shore Alliance Church. City of North Vancouver staff will also join us to offer local insights.

RSVP required. We can’t wait to see you there!

Estimated walking distance: 1.1km

📅 Date: October 21, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

📍 Tour starts: Loblaw’s Market, North Lonsdale

November 18 - Jericho Beach Water Gardens - Kitsilano

Jericho Beach Rainwater Ponds 🌊

With a chance to spot beavers! 🦫

Join us for a unique tour of the beautiful rainwater ponds at Jericho Beach in Vancouver! Explore how this stunning green infrastructure manages stormwater and supports local wildlife — and if we’re lucky, we might even catch a glimpse of the resident beavers in action!

Don’t miss this chance to experience nature, water, and wildlife in the heart of the city!

📅 Date & Time: November 18, 2025, 3:45pm – 5:00pm

📍 Tour Starts: Jericho Beach Concession

Past Tours

April 15 - Coal Harbour Green Roof - Downtown Vancouver

Coal Harbour Green Roof

GRIN is thrilled to invite you on a special behind-the-scenes tour of one of Vancouver’s pioneering Green Roofs on April 15th! 🌿🌇 This is a rare opportunity to explore a lush rooftop ecosystem planted with perennial species indigenous to the Pacific Northwest. We look forward to visiting a mature green roof that was ahead of its time, planted nearly 20 years ago. Don’t miss this chance to experience urban ecology in action!

🔹 Space is limited—reserve your spot now! Click on the button to snag your spot!!

Regrets: This green roof is not mobility inclusive; access is by 4 flights of stairs. However, our post-tour GRIN social will take place on the roof garden of the Coal Harbour community centre or a nearby park. The GRIN social is open to all; let us know if you can join us.

📅 Date: April 15, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

📍 Tour starts: 1177 West Hastings Street