grey to green

Think green infrastructure is sexy?  Don’t hold yourself back from nerding out with others, like yourself, who blush at the thought of rooftop farming, green walls, biofilters and living machines.  On August 25 and 26, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities – the North American green roof and green wall trade association – welcomes an international crowd to its annual Grey to Green Conference in Toronto.

This year’s conference focuses on the economics of green infrastructure and designing for health, two burgeoning areas of thought within the design and city planning realms.  Registering for the conference will expose you to more than 75 speakers, local project tours, networking opportunities, continuing education credits (from OAA, LA CES, USGBC/GBCI, AIA CES, BOMI, APLD and RCI), and training courses.

One of the most informative courses may just be “Introduction to Rooftop Urban Agriculture,” taught by yours truly on August 26 from 8:30-noon.  This Green Roofs for Healthy Cities training course is generally taught by rooftop farming superstar Ben Flanner, of Brooklyn Grange.  I am delighted to pinch hit for Ben while offering the designer’s perspective to rooftop agriculture.  I’ll also offer anecdotes and lessons learned from my interviews with rooftop farmers and gardeners throughout North America.

On the conference’s opening day, August 25, be sure not to miss the Grey to Green book signing from 11:45-1:45.  You’ll get to chat with me and other authors one-on-one about your own project.  Maybe you’ll even buy a copy of EAT UP and get it signed and personalized!

The conference’s keynote talks should similarly not be missed.  The talented group of keynote speakers includes:

– John Howard, MD, Chair of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment: “Green Infrastructure and Prevention Health Care”

– Kathleen Wolf, Ph.D., Social science researcher at the University of Washington: “The Economic Value of the Human Health Benefits of Urban Green Infrastructure: A Lifecycle Approach” 

– Bill Browning, a global expert in biophilic design and principal at the environmental consulting firm Terrapin Bright Green: “The Emerging Science, Health and Economic Benefits of Designing our Buildings with Nature” 

– Craig Applegath, PPOAA, AAA, MAIBC, NSAA, FRAIC, LEED® AP, Architect and principal at  DIALOG: “Regeneration, Resilience and Symbiosis: Fashioning out cities to respond to a climate challenged world”