As one of the fastest-growing cities in North America, Toronto faces unique challenges when it comes to managing its urban environment. From extreme weather events to rising temperatures and air pollution, the impacts of climate change are being felt across the city. That's why green infrastructure is revolutionizing Toronto's efforts to build a sustainable and resilient city. Green roofs, in particular, have emerged as a key strategy for mitigating the effects of urbanization. By covering rooftops with vegetation, green roofs provide a range of benefits, from reducing energy costs and improving air quality, to enhancing biodiversity and creating new green spaces in densely populated areas.
This conference is a must-attend for building owners, landscape architects, city planners, and anyone invested in our urban environment's future. Join us for inspiring discussions, valuable networking, and a chance to contribute to a sustainable and resilient city. Don't wait—reserve your spot today and be part of the green revolution in Toronto. Discover the cutting-edge world of green infrastructure and connect with industry leaders, designers, and policymakers passionate about building a greener future.
Learning Topics:
• Designing for the Future
• Moving from Policy to Practice
• Climate Positive Design
Conference at a Glance:
June 11 will take place from 9 AM - 5 PM and will include GRIMP Training and Green Roof Tours.
June 12 will take place from 9 AM - 8 PM including the Expert Sessions, Trade Show, and Rooftop Farm Reception.
Click here to see the complete agenda.
June 11:
Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional Training (GRIMP) - $495
TIME: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Ginkgo Sustainability Facility in Etobicoke, ON (178 Norseman St, Etobicoke, ON)
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Karen Liu, Next Level Stormwater Management
The Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP) Certification is brand new program that involves a combination of hands-on and presentation style training to introduce professionals to the basic skills and knowledge required to install green roofs and maintain them. Additionally, this training will include 3 hours of online instruction, a resource manual, and an attempt at one hour multiple choice exam. This training is designed to provide participants with a grounding in this information, covering a variety of different green roof systems, and a wide range of planting types to provide green roof installers and maintenance professionals with the information, techniques, and training necessary to successfully install and maintain green roofs. The final component of the GRIMP training will be to visit a nearby semi-intensive green roof installation at Sherway Gardens. Space is limited so register soon!
East End Green Roof Tour Schedule - $49 total
This will all be one multi stop tour to discover how different typologies of green infrastructure are being utilized across Toronto.
Part 1 - River City 3 Green Roofs *limited to 15 people*
TIME: 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM TOUR GUIDE: Jeremy Wright, ZinCo Canada LOCATION: 170 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M5A 0M4
Part 2 - Corktown Common
TIME: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM TOUR GUIDE: Kees Govers, LiveRoof Ontario LOCATION:155 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M5A 0G4
Part 3 - Baseball Place - Riverside Common Park
TIME: 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM TOUR GUIDE: Kees Govers, LiveRoof Ontario LOCATION: 667 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G4
Part 4 - Morse Street Junior Public School
TIME: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM TOUR GUIDE: Cam Collyer & Heidi Campbell, Evergreen LOCATION:180 Carlaw Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2R9
Part 5 - Avling Brewery
TIME: 12:15 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch & Drinks at this brewery with an innovative rooftop garden LOCATION: 1042 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1K4
June 12:
Expert Sessions & Trade Show - $150
TIME: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Centre for Social Innovation Spadina - Suite 101 (192 Spadina Ave Toronto, ON)
Don't miss this expert session and trade show, where you'll have the opportunity to hear from over 15 industry-leading speakers, including:
Keynote speaker Marc Hallé, OALA, FCSLA, Co-président & Landscape Architect at CCxA
Lily Turner, Director of Green Walls, Urbanstrong
Arlene Throness, Urban Farm Manager, Toronto Metropolitan University
Charles Ormsby, Sustainability and Climate Services Leader, ARUP
Birgit Teichmann, Landscape Architect, Teichmann Landscape Architecture
Toronto Metropolitan University Rooftop Farm Reception - $49 for conference attendees, $39 for non-conference attendees
TIME: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Toronto Metropolitan University Rooftop Farm. Daphne Cockwell Complex, 523 288 Church St
Experience an extraordinary networking opportunity during this reception as the farm will be open to the public for the very first time. Enjoy an exclusive evening where you can connect with industry professionals while enjoying breathtaking views of Toronto from one of the city's most innovative rooftop spaces, particularly in empowering and uplifting BIPOC communities. Don't miss this remarkable event that combines inspiration, networking, and the transformative power of urban farming.