Cascadia Green Roof Conference in Vancouver

It’s finally here! It’s time for G2G

We’re pleased to partner with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) in delivering the Cascadia Grey to Green conference (Nov 2-3 2023) in Vancouver. We hope you can join us at this innovative event, which brings together experts and practitioners from across Turtle Island (North America). 

If you are local, we hope you can come to at least one event! At the very least, please come to the GRIN reception on Friday evening. We will be dancing to a special green roof playlist, while enjoying food and drink and good company. Festivities begin at 6pm at Cranberry Commons. Details below. 

Grey to Green is the premier conference for green roofs and green infrastructure on the West coast. The event is an opportunity to network, learn, visit green roofs, and even get your hands dirty (see GRIMP training). RSVP is essential. Find the detailed agenda at this link, or our handy breakdown here:

• Wed. Nov. 1 (3-4:30pm): Green roof tour, Vancouver House, followed by happy hour.
• Thurs. Nov. 2 (9-5pm): GRIMP Training, Langley.
• Fri. Nov. 3 (9-5pm): Conference, Creekside Community Centre (1 Athletes Way, Vancouver, BC V5Y 0B1)
• Fri. Nov. 3 (6-9pm): GRIN Reception, Cranberry Commons (4272 Albert St., Burnaby, BC, Buzzer: 381)
• Sat. Nov. 4 (10-13:00, or as per group): North Shore hike (especially for out-of-towners, but all are welcome!)

On the afternoon of Wednesday Nov. 1st, we’ll kick off with a tour of the award-winning Vancouver House green roof. Please try to be at Vancouver House for 2:50 so we can head up punctually at 3pm. RSVP will provide all the details you need. Any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

On Thursday November 2nd, GRHC will deliver a brand new Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP) training and certification course. The GRIMP training equips installers and maintenance professionals with the information, techniques, and training necessary to successfully install and maintain extensive green roofs. The all-day training will be at RCABC headquarters in Langley, and will involve a combination of hands-on and presentation styles.

The conference itself takes place on Friday Nov. 3 (9-5pm) at Creekside Community Centre, in the Olympic Village Vancouver. The lineup of speakers is excellent (See detailed agenda here). We’ll hear from Chris Phillips about the 9 acre green roof at the rising Oakridge Centre, get an update on the City of Vancouver’s “Rain City Green Roof Best Practices” guide, and learn about biodiversity, irrigation, stormwater, technology, and climate resilience.

After a day of conferencing, GRIN is pleased to host a Reception at Cranberry Commons (4272 Albert St., Burnaby, BC, Buzzer: 381) starting at 6pm. If you can’t make it to anything else, please consider coming to this! It will be fun, and a fabulous opportunity to connect with green roof people from across Turtle Island, from as far away as Toronto, Calgary and Portland Oregon! As mentioned, we’ll be listening/ dancing to a special green roof playlist, assembled by the musical genius and green wall guru, Randy Sharp! The small registration fee helps us order/ cover the food and drink.

Last but not least, on Saturday Nov. 4 (10-13:00, or as per group), anyone who is interested is welcome to come along on a  North Shore hike. This idea came up because some out-of-towners are visiting for the first time. All are welcome to come along, however! Please email [email protected] with Hike in the Subject heading. We’ll meet beside the washrooms at the parking lot of the Lower Seymour Conservation Area (4400 Lillooet Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7J 3V9).