May 2-9: 2nd annual NYC Wildflower Week, New York City, NY, USA
Source: Marielle Anzelone, Founder, NYC Wildflower Week

May 2-9, 2009 is 2nd annual NYC Wildflower Week, celebrating all things green and wild in the Big Apple—the hundreds of native flowers, trees, shrubs and grasses that are found in the five boroughs.  It's a week of inspired environmental learning, with dozens of free activities, children’s events, walks and talks for all New Yorkers to enjoy.  It gives New Yorkers numerous ways to connect with and be inspired by their local environment.

Free activities throughout the city include: botanical walks, garden tours, ecology lectures, children’s events, planting opportunities, cooking classes, and food tastings at top restaurants.  It is the largest celebration of National Wildflower Week, an initiative begun by Lady Bird Johnson.  Hosted by the Torrey Botanical Society.

Among many others, NYC WILDFLOWER WEEK GARDEN TOURS include the Wild Project Green Roof.

For all botanical walks, be sure to dress appropriately: sturdy shoes; pants, hat. You may also like to have a camera, hand lens, field guides, water, bug spray.

All of the NYC Wildflower Week events are free and open to all.  For a complete listing of the week’s events, please see here.

Visit the NYC Wildflower Week website for more information.

May 6-8: Living Future 2009, Portland, Oregon, USA
Source: Cascadia Region Green Building Council

Living Future provides a different way of viewing our built environment – a way that requires new tools, new perspectives and better collaboration. We will bring experts to the fore to share their experience and knowledge.

Yet this will not be another conference of "talking heads." Sessions are designed to be interactive and experiential, fostering lively discussions and collaborative solutions to creating truly sustainable communities. You won't be just an attendee, but rather an active participant in making real progress.

Visit the Living Future 2009 website for more information.

May 7: Introduction to Green Roofs, Sheffield, England, UK
Source: The Green Roof Centre

The Green Roof Centre - established by the University of Sheffield and Groundwork Sheffield (Green Box Group) working in partnership with the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities, is holding a series of one day greenroof training courses entitled "Introduction to Green Roofs." 

Delivered by Jeff Sorrill Manager of The Green Roof Centre.  Jeff has been involved in all aspects of green roof design and construction since the The Centre’s inception, and is now regarded as one of the UK’s leading green roof experts.

Basics and Benefits
• Green roof basic principles
• Relevant legislation
• Benefits and barriers to implementation
• Design principles
• Construction process
• Exclusive site visits to a range of green roofs

Green Box Group is a leading provider of training, products and business advice to support the sustainable economic development of business.

Visit the Green Box Group website for training course information.

May 2-3: Denver Green Festival, Denver, Colorado, USA
Source: greenfestival

Welcome to the first annual Denver Green Festival™, a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America. We are pleased to add this stunning city to our schedule of premier sustainability events, not only for its charm and natural beauty but also for its outstanding efforts through the City’s Greenprint Denver program to restore the splendor of its region and the planet.

What should you expect at the Denver Green Festival™? You’ll find 2 days filled with the best in green-- Mile High style!

April 30-May 2: AIA 2009 National Convention and Design Exposition, San Francisco, California, USA
Source: AIA

The architecture profession is abuzz with excitement as we approach the AIA 2009 National Convention and Design Expo. Again this year, the convention will feature hundreds of educational sessions by leading experts, AIA Expo2009 showcasing the best and brightest ideas from more than 800 companies, and networking events where you can build your professional contacts.

Support Greenroofs.com's Sponsors by visiting these who will be on the Trade Show floor this year:

American Hydrotech - Booth # 557
Green Roof Blocks - Booth #5444
GreenGrid - Booth #2225
LiveRoof - Booth #2553
Tremco - Booth #742 & 746
ZinCo USA - Booth #6658

And don't forget to visit our other Greenroof Directory Advertisers at the Show, too:

American Wick Drain - Booth #2447
CETCO - Booth #6838
Colbond - Booth #521
Henry Company - Booth #6248
Sika Sarnafil - Booth #2533
Tournesol Siteworks - Booth #228

Attend the AIA Expo Trade Show floor for free on April 30 - May 2. Can't make it to San Francisco? No problem. Register today for the AIA 2009 Virtual Convention. View daily keynote sessions or choose continuing education programs focused on navigating the economy or sustainability live or on demand. Visit with more than 50 exhibiting companies in their virtual booths. View educational programs, chat with booth personnel, download brochures, and request the latest information on new products and services, all from your Internet-connected computer. Visit the AIA Convention website. 

May 1: City of Toronto Spring Session Application Deadline, Toronto, Canada
Source: Live Green Toronto

Following initial funding approval in 2007, Toronto City Hall is offering greater subsidies to businesses pursuing green renovations, including greenroofs.  The latest move will provide cash incentives to commercial, industrial and institutional (ICI) property owners to install eco-roofs. Currently, the city is willing to provide incentives of $50 (Canadian) per square meter up to $100,000 for building owners who install greenroofs, on a one-year pilot basis.

The Spring Session Application deadline was May 1, 2009, and the Fall Session Application deadline is October 16, 2009.

APPLICATION PROCESS / KEY DATES
Review the Eco-Roof Program Guidelines and Eligibility Criteria.
Download an Eco-Roof Application Form (PDF).
Submit your application for either the Spring or Fall session.
 
Spring Session Application Steps Deadlines
Application process open March 2, 2009
Application deadline May 1, 2009
Committee decision May 15, 2009

Fall Session Application Steps Deadlines
Application process open July 3, 2009
Application deadline October 16, 2009
Committee decision October 30, 2009

Submit your application by email or mail to: teo@toronto.ca

Eco-Roof Incentive Program
Toronto Environment Office, City of Toronto
21st Floor, East Tower, City Hall,
100 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Read background info in Industry Support here.

Learn much more at the Live Toronto website. 

April 25-29: APA's (American Planning Association) National Planning Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Source: American Planning Association

The American Planning Association is telling a tale of two cities, from the headwaters to the delta of the mighty Mississippi.  In 2009, APA's National Planning Conference will celebrate the centennial of the planning movement in Minneapolis, and, in 2010, we'll convene in New Orleans.

Join more than 6,000 planners, officials, and allied professionals at the worlds premier planning event.

Visit the APA website.

April 25: Ecoroof Vendors Fair, Portland, Oregon, USA
City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES)

FREE!  The City of Portland and Metro are sponsoring an Ecoroof Vendors Fair to provide the building design and development community, homeowners and building owners, and non-profit organizations, with information and technical assistance about ecoroofs.  Vendors will include architects, consultants, contractors, landscape architects, manufacturers, nurseries, structural engineers, suppliers, research, and non-profit and community organizations.
The Ecoroof Vendors Fair will be held on Saturday April 25th from 10am-6pm at the Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel, Portland, OR.  Come meet the vendors that can help you plan and build your ecoroof!

Download the Ecoroof Vendors Fair PDF.

Want a vendor booth?  Vendors can reserve booth space for $100.  Fees will be waived for non-profit organizations that are moving the ecoroof industry forward.  Application materials and instructions for vendors interested in participating have been posted on our BES website.

Please note, because space is limited, not all that apply will be registered for the event.  To avoid duplication and assure a balanced variety of vendors, applications will be accepted as first come, first served for each vendor category.

Fair attendance is free.

For more information, visit the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services website or please contact at ecoroof@bes.ci.portland.or.us.

April 23: Vegetative Roof Systems for Roofing Contractors: Your Rewards, Responsibilities and Risks, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Source: National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

The National Roofing Contractors Association will present five one-day conferences specifically designed for roofing contractors and those who are interested in properly designing, installing and maintaining vegetative roof systems.  Vegetative Roof Systems for Roofing Contractors: Your Rewards, Responsibilities and Risks will discuss the economic and environmental benefits of vegetative roof systems, essential waterproofing requirements, construction details, growing media and vegetation, and building code compliance.  In addition, our experts will identify roofing contractors’ responsibilities, as well as clarify the functions and duties of other related trades, and offer recommendations for successful coordination of all parties involved in the installation and ongoing maintenance of a vegetative roof system.

Join industry technical professionals including NRCA’s Mark Graham and Jim Kirby, along with Kelly Luckett, president of Green Roof Blocks, Florissant, Mo., and learn how to build a thriving and profitable vegetative roof systems business.

April 23: Boston The Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 Phone:617-532-4856
 
Below are all of the 2009 dates:

Feb. 18: Baltimore, MD
Feb. 26: Atlanta, GA
March 5: Chicago, IL
March 11: Seattle, WA
April 23: Boston, MA

Tuition: NRCA members $295; nonmembers: $395

Visit the NRCA website, or for more information about this course, click here or call NRCA’s Customer Service Department, at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722).

April 21-23: ASTM April 2009 Committee Week, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The April ASTM 2009 Committee Week for the E06 Performance of Buildings includes the Green Roof Task Force.

Read the Greenroofs.com former ASTM Editor, Ralph Velasquez, ASTM Updates column here. (Now he's the Sustainable Roofing Technologies Editor).

Visit the ASTM website.

April 18-21: 2009 Green Cities Conference and Expo, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon, USA
Source: National League of Cities

National League of Cities (NLC) understands the economic situation facing cities. It also understands that many cities want to participate in the burgeoning "green" cities movement to take advantage of job creation opportunities, cost savings and increased livability. To that end, NLC is extending the "advance" registration rate through April 17. Be sure your city takes advantage of the opportunity to send a team to Portland!

SPECIAL REGISTRATION RATES EXTEND TO APRIL 17!

Visit the Green Cities Conference website for more information.

April 17-19: Go Green Expo, New York, New York, USA
George Irwin, Green Living Technologies

Go Green Expo, the nation's premier eco-friendly trade show, is coming to The Hilton New York on April 17-19, 2009:

The Hilton New York
1335 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019

Visit the Go Green Expo website, and the New York page here. 

April 18-19: Eco Expo, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA

Join us at the Saint Louis Science Center, April 18-19, at the region’s premier green event, featuring: Product demonstrations,  Eco-friendly interactive exhibits, Activities for kids, Organic food and wine sampling, Plus much more!

The Eco-Expo is a carbon-neutral event! Renewable Energy Certificates equal to 100% of the electricity used at the Eco Expo will be provided courtesy of AmerenUE’s Pure Power Program. The Expo’s support of clean energy will prevent 84,715 pounds of carbon dioxide, a leading greenhouse gas, from entering the atmosphere. This is the same environmental benefit provided by taking 7 cars off the road for a year.

Everything we do impacts the environment, from driving a car to heating our homes. Each of these activities creates a certain amount of greenhouse gases. A carbon footprint is the measure of impact these activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced. Find out what your carbon footprint is and how you can reduce your impact on the environment.

Visit the Eco Expo website.

April 8: ZinCo Green Roof Seminar, Toronto, Canada
Source: ZinCo Canada

For the Green Roof professional ZinCo Canada provides a full day of Green Roof Seminars.  The seminars review the newest trends and product information to enable you as Green Roof professional to achieve your full potential in Green Roof Design and Installation.  The seminars include topics as:

Green Roof policies and standards, the benefits of Green Roofs, roof technology in combination with Green Roofs and Green roof technology with a focus on various drainage layers, growing mediums and plant material. The seminars also show you how you can install extensive green roofs on traditional flat roofs or sloped applications, intensive roof gardens on apartment buildings or parking decks on top of an underground parking garage. For over 40 years ZinCo has pioneered the development of a wide range of proven green roof systems designed to succeed in virtually any landscape hardiness zone. The seminars will be supported with several of our reference projects from Canada and all over the world. This introduction to Green Roofs will give you inspiration and many tools and techniques to design or install your specific Green Roof project. We are looking forward to seeing you at on of our ZinCo Green Roof Seminars.

Who should attend:

Architects - Landscape Architects - Specifiers - Roof Consultants - Roof Contractors -Landscape Contractors - Engineers - Developers - Government

Information + Fee:

The seminars will be given a number of times a year. Would you like to attend please fill in the form or call us at 906-690-1661. The fee for the full day Green Roof seminar is $ 125,-- and includes coffee, lunch and a binder.

ZinCo Green Roof Seminars 2009:

VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA, MARCH 24, 2009
LOCATION: Vancouver Library, Morris J. meeting Room
TIME: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

TORONTO, CANADA, APRIL 08, 2009
LOCATION: Ontario Association of Architects Building (see map)
TIME: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Visit the ZinCo Canada seminar website.

April 1-2: 20th Anniversary GLOBALCON: Energy, Power, & Facility Management Strategies & Technologies, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Source: GlobalCon

Decision makers from business, industry and government must now seek integrated energy solutions — solutions which assure both a secure and affordable power supply, and effective management of both energy and overall operational costs. Globalcon 2009 -- presented by the Association of Energy Engineers and now celebrating its 20th anniversary as a major energy industry event -- is designed specifically to facilitate those who need to get up to speed on the latest developments in the energy field, explore promising new technologies, compare energy supply options, and learn about innovative and cost-conscious project implementation strategies.

Visit the GlobalCon website.

March 28-29: Seattle Green Festival, Seattle, Washington, USA
Source: Green Festivals

Welcome to the Seattle Green Festival™, a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America. Named one of the top 10 green cities in the U.S. in 2005 by National Geographic’s The Green Guide, what better place to celebrate an urban community’s vision of green than Seattle? Led by the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, the City of Seattle is proud to co-host the Green Festival in the Pacific Northwest.

Discover some of the best green products and services the Northwest has to offer. And, through Seattle Climate Action Now!, Clean & Green Seattle, and the city’s many other climate projects, you’ll learn how neighbors, community nonprofits and city departments are working together to make their city a healthier place to live.

We’re celebrating what’s working in our communities—for people, business and the environment. Join us in Seattle for 2 days filled with the best in green!

> 125 renowned authors, leaders & educators
> 350 eco-friendly businesses in a unique marketplace
> Workshops, green films, kids’ activities, live music & more
> Delicious, organic, vegetarian cuisine

Visit the Seattle Green Festival website.

March 27–29: The Energy Trust Better Living Home and Garden Show, Portland, Oregon, USA
Source: The Energy Trust Better Living Home and Garden Show

Join us at The Energy Trust Better Living Home and Garden Show at the Portland Expo Center.  We produce the largest sustainable lifestyle event in the Northwest.  Find everything green, good and sustainable in one place - Portland, Oregon.  If you are looking to live a more earth friendly life, this is the festival for you.  Seminars, workshops and music add to the expo.

Live well and have fun doing it.  Earth friendly products for you, your home and garden.  From cutting edge technologies and eco chic fashion to better energy efficiency and sustainable outdoor living, if it's green and it's beautiful - it's here! And best yet, admission is FREE!  We'll introduce you to businesses and groups in our region that will help you make choices you feel good about. All presented in an entertaining way like you've never seen before.  If you are going green, this festival is simply too good to miss.

Admission is free to this show.

Visit The Energy Trust Better Living Home and Garden Show website, and contact Michael O'Loughlin for this and other trade shows at molfamily@earthlink.net. 

March 28: Earth Hour @ 8:30-9:30 p.m. local time, The World
Source: Earth Hour

Turn out. Take action. Be part of this historic event. March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm local time
World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.  Sign-up!

3,900 CITIES AND TOWNS IN 84 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD WILL TURN OUT FOR EARTH HOUR: More than 300 cities and towns in the U.S. representing 43 states and the District of Columbia are going dark as part of the largest global climate event in history. Before the rooster crows in most American cities on Saturday morning, lights will already have gone dark in cities like Christchurch, Sydney and Brisbane. By breakfast time on the U.S. East Coast, the cities of Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore and Manila will be celebrating the arrival of the largest global climate event in history. Just before lunchtime in America, the lights will be dimming in Mumbai, Amman and Dubai. And by early afternoon in New York, it will be lights out in Paris, Istanbul, London and Copenhagen.

On March 28 you can VOTE EARTH by switching off your lights for one hour. Or you can vote global warming by leaving your lights on.

The results of the election are being presented at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.  We want one billion votes for Earth, to tell world leaders that we have to take action against global warming.

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

Publisher's Note:  This is Greenroofs.com's second year participating in Earth Hour - won't you join us?

Visit the Earth Hour website.

March 27: Green Roof Design 101 Introductory Course, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Source: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

The Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Green Roof Design 101 Introductory Course (2nd Ed.) will be held on Wednesday, March 27th, 2009.

Location:
Southface Energy Institute
Home Depot Training Center
241 Pine Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30308

This introductory training course on green roof design presents many of the tools and techniques needed to meet your green roof project objectives on schedule, to specification, and within budget. The focus of the training will be on enhancing your skills in:

Identifying the costs and benefits of green roofs to reach your green roof performance goals;
Identifying a variety of green roof products and understanding the performance criteria of different green roof elements, and their relevance to your design intent;
Understanding the major design principles for a successful green roof project and the causes for error which might lead to an unsuccessful green roof project;
Determining the various professions and competencies required to optimally implement your successful green roof project.
Green Roof Design 101 is one of the four courses in the Green Roof Professional (GRP) accreditation program. See the GRP Accreditation tab for more information on accreditation.

Tuition:

EARLY BIRD RATE - Register on or before March 13th, 2009 for $299 (GRHC Individual members) or $349 (non-members).

Tuition for this one-day course is $349 US for GRHC Individual members and $399 US for non-members. For information on membership, or to apply online, click here.

Tuition includes course materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks. If paying by cheque, please note it must be received in our office no later than one week before the event. Registrations may be canceled by a participant up to THREE DAYS prior to the event, and will incur a $50 cancellation fee. We regret that we cannot cancel a registration after that point.

Trainer:

Jennifer Sprout

Association Credits:

Those using AIA, RCI, ASLA or APLD credits for application toward their local/regional association or for license renewal can acquire 7.5 education credits for participating. Please see the Continuing Education Credits tab for more details.

For further information on the GRHC training courses, please contact their Training Department at 416.971.4494, ext. 300, or email training@greenroofs.org.

Visit the registration site for the March 27th Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Green Roof Design 101 Introductory Course (2nd Ed.) course here.

March 27: Introduction to Green Roofs, Manchester, England, UK
Source: The Green Roof Centre

The Green Roof Centre - established by the University of Sheffield and Groundwork Sheffield (Green Box Group) working in partnership with the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities, is holding a series of one day greenroof training courses entitled "Introduction to Green Roofs." 

Delivered by Jeff Sorrill Manager of The Green Roof Centre.  Jeff has been involved in all aspects of green roof design and construction since the The Centre’s inception, and is now regarded as one of the UK’s leading green roof experts.

Basics and Benefits
• Green roof basic principles
• Relevant legislation
• Benefits and barriers to implementation
• Design principles
• Construction process
• Exclusive site visits to a range of green roofs

Green Box Group is a leading provider of training, products and business advice to support the sustainable economic development of business.

Visit the Green Box Group website for training course information.

March 25-26: Greenprints 2009 Sustainable Communities by Design, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Source: Southface Energy Institute

The Greenprints Sustainable Communities by Design Conference and Tradeshow, a leading southeastern green building symposium, will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on March 25 and 26, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.  Join green building professionals, policy makers and industry experts as they come together at Greenprints to share trends, strategies and the latest environmental technologies in a stimulating and interdisciplinary environment.  Learn how Atlanta measures up as a sustainable city and explore smarter ways to “green” your city.  Plan now to attend the region’s most acclaimed event of its kind, the Greenprints Conference and Tradeshow, hosted by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and Southface.

Edward Mazria - noted founder of the 2030 challenge, is the Keynote Speaker.
Joseph Lstiburek - Commercial Track Master Speaker
Ellen Dunham-Jones - Communities Track Master Speaker
Edward Pollock - Residential Track Master Speaker

"We are excited to include a “conference within a conference” in partnership with ULI Atlanta this year. This joint conference includes sessions focused on delivery of green developments in the real world. These sessions intend to show all aspect of green development delivery including pro forma analysis, cost and financing of green building as well as tax credits for sustainable technology."

Visit the Greenprints Conference website.

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March 24: ZinCo Green Roof Seminar, Vancouver. B.C., Canada
Source: ZinCo Canada

For the Green Roof professional ZinCo Canada provides a full day of Green Roof Seminars.  The seminars review the newest trends and product information to enable you as Green Roof professional to achieve your full potential in Green Roof Design and Installation.  The seminars include topics as:

Green Roof policies and standards, the benefits of Green Roofs, roof technology in combination with Green Roofs and Green roof technology with a focus on various drainage layers, growing mediums and plant material. The seminars also show you how you can install extensive green roofs on traditional flat roofs or sloped applications, intensive roof gardens on apartment buildings or parking decks on top of an underground parking garage. For over 40 years ZinCo has pioneered the development of a wide range of proven green roof systems designed to succeed in virtually any landscape hardiness zone. The seminars will be supported with several of our reference projects from Canada and all over the world. This introduction to Green Roofs will give you inspiration and many tools and techniques to design or install your specific Green Roof project. We are looking forward to seeing you at on of our ZinCo Green Roof Seminars.

Who should attend:

Architects - Landscape Architects - Specifiers - Roof Consultants - Roof Contractors -Landscape Contractors - Engineers - Developers - Government

Information + Fee:

The seminars will be given a number of times a year. Would you like to attend please fill in the form or call us at 906-690-1661. The fee for the full day Green Roof seminar is $ 125,-- and includes coffee, lunch and a binder.

ZinCo Green Roof Seminars 2009:

VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA, MARCH 24, 2009
LOCATION: Vancouver Library, Morris J. meeting Room
TIME: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

TORONTO, APRIL 08, 2009
LOCATION: Ontario Association of Architects Building (see map)
TIME: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Visit the ZinCo Canada seminar website.   

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March 18-22: San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, San Francisco, California, USA
Source: San Francisco Flower & Garden Show

You are invited to join the fun at the 2009 SAN FRANCISCO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW annual celebration, held on March 18 - 22, 2009 at the San Mateo Event Center.  Twenty-five display gardens created by some of the best designers, landscapers and horticulturists in the West will demonstrate drought tolerant and native plants, container gardening, edibles, low maintenance gardening and green roofs. Recycled materials, green technology and sustainability will be popular themes throughout.

Visit the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show website.  

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March 16: Deadline to apply for a NYC greenroof tax abatement, New York, New York, USA
Source: New York City Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability

Any solar installers or buildings owners in New York City who have a project that they think qualifies for an abatement this year should immediately contact Bonnie Gerard (212-442-1239 or bgerard@buildings.nyc.gov) as soon as possible. Department of Buildings is finalizing the checklist and application forms for the abatement.

Read "Planning on a Greenroof or Solar in NYC? Read this Now!" for more info.

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March 13-15: Go Green Expo, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Source: George Irwin, Green Living Technologies

Go Green Expo, the nation's premier eco-friendly trade show, is coming to the PA Convention Center March 13th - 15th!  We would like to invite you to visit George Irwin as the "Green Wall Editor" on Sunday, March 15 at 3pm discussing Green Homes 101.  Go Green Expo, Green Living Technologies and the "Green Wall Editor" are pleased to offer you complimentary admission, simply visit http://www.gogreenexpo.com and use promo code PAGREEN when registering for tickets.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
www.PAconvention.com

Panel Discussions & Speaker sessions: Download full schedule here (PDF).

Visit the Go Green Expo website, and the Philadelphia page here.

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March 10-12: NESEA BuildingEnergy09, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Source: NESEA

Now in its 34th year, NESEA is proud to present BuildingEnergy09, bringing together the professionals and decision-makers who shape the practice of sustainability. Held at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, MA, nearly 200 of the country's best presenters will define the leading edge of smart building, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Successful retrofit and new construction projects demand the best tools and solutions. The whole systems approach to sustainability that BE09 embraces will give you a competitive edge in a growing market. Save the date!

Recommended for architects, engineers, builders, building systems designers and owners, facility managers, developers, investors, real estate professionals, municipal & building code officials, sustainability coordinators, policy makers, planners and students.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the Northeast’s leading organization of professionals working in sustainable energy, whole systems thinking and green technologies. NESEA advances the adoption and practical application of sustainable, low carbon energy practices. NESEA accomplishes this through a number of ongoing programs and annual events. NESEA is a proud chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES).

Visit the NESEA BuildingEnergy09 conference website to register and learn more.

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March 5: Vegetative Roof Systems for Roofing Contractors: Your Rewards, Responsibilities and Risks, Chicago, Illinois, USA
March 11: Vegetative Roof Systems for Roofing Contractors: Your Rewards, Responsibilities and Risks, Seattle, Washington, USA
Source: National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

The National Roofing Contractors Association will present five one-day conferences specifically designed for roofing contractors and those who are interested in properly designing, installing and maintaining vegetative roof systems.  Vegetative Roof Systems for Roofing Contractors: Your Rewards, Responsibilities and Risks will discuss the economic and environmental benefits of vegetative roof systems, essential waterproofing requirements, construction details, growing media and vegetation, and building code compliance.  In addition, our experts will identify roofing contractors’ responsibilities, as well as clarify the functions and duties of other related trades, and offer recommendations for successful coordination of all parties involved in the installation and ongoing maintenance of a vegetative roof system.

Join industry technical professionals including NRCA’s Mark Graham and Jim Kirby, along with Kelly Luckett, president of Green Roof Blocks, Florissant, Mo., and learn how to build a thriving and profitable vegetative roof systems business.

March 5: Chicago Sheraton Gateway Suites Chicago O’Hare, 6501 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL 60018 Phone: 847-699-3525

March 11: Seattle Doubletree Hotel Seattle Airport, 18740 International Blvd., Seattle, WA 98188 Phone: 206-439-6107

Below are all of the 2009 dates:

Feb. 18: Baltimore, MD
Feb. 26: Atlanta, GA
March 5: Chicago, IL
March 11: Seattle, WA
April 23: Boston, MA

Tuition: NRCA members $295; nonmembers: $395

Visit the NRCA website, or for more information about this course, click here or call NRCA’s Customer Service Department, at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722).   

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March 6: Creating Green Roofs: The Next Steps, New York, New York, USA
Source: The New York Botanical Garden

Creating Green Roofs: The Next Steps
The New York Botanical Garden
Watson Building
200th Street and Kazimiroff Blvd.
Bronx River Parkway and Fordham Road
Friday, March 6, 10 a.m. –5:15 p.m.

As a follow up to the previous green roof symposia, The New York Botanical Garden presents in-depth classes about green roof design and construction, from installation to choosing the right plants. Green roofs are not only aesthetically pleasing, they also reduce storm water run-off and insulate buildings. Learn about this cutting-edge technology and how to implement it from experts in their field. Participants select as many as three from six topics including Myths and Common Mistakes in Building Green Roofs, Green Roof Plants, and Installing a Green Roof - see below.

The fee for each Creating Green Roofs: The Next Steps session is $48 for non-members and $44 for members.  Attend all three sessions and receive a 10% discount.

Green Roof Basics
Friday, March 6, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Everybody talks about green roofs, but what are they and why should we build them? What are the most convincing arguments to build green roofs? Susanne Boyle, Senior Landscape Architect at The RBA group, highlights green roof functions, aesthetic and ecological benefits, and discusses green roofs in the context of our cityscapes.

New Legislation Financially Supports Green Roof Development
Friday, March 6, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Many municipalities have encouraged green roof development; however, a financial incentive is necessary to see enough green roofs built to have a meaningful cumulative impact. Grass roots efforts resulted in a tax incentive for many New York City property owners. Robert Crauderueff, Policy Director at Sustainable South Bronx, will walk you through the steps to harvest these benefits.

LEED Certification: Choosing the right Plants
Friday, March 6, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Obtaining credits for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is part of the agenda of many builders and developers. While using native plants and a diverse plant community are important goals for green roof designs, they do not work best in every situation. Ed Snodgrass, owner and president of Emory Knoll Farms, Inc. and Green Roof Plants, will discuss what works and what does not in order to achieve your LEED credits.

Installing a Green Roof
Friday, March 6, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Once a design is finalized, preparations for installation can begin. Learn to calculate material quantities and discuss the various ways the material gets up to the roof. Jörg Breuning, co-founder of Green Roof Service, LLC, will discuss liability, the permit process and insurance issues.

Green Roof Plants: Design Consideration and Maintenance Implications
Friday, March 6, 3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
A common assumption is that there is no maintenance needed once a green roof is built. However, the design determines not only plant choices, but also maintenance. Ed Snodgrass, owner and president of Emory Knoll Farms, Inc. and Green Roof Plants, will cover some of the most common green roof design choices, such as meadow-style planting, self sowing and massing, and their implication for maintenance.

Myths and Common Mistakes in Building Green Roofs
Friday, March 6, 3:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Every new technique and standard of development needs to be evaluated, and green roofs are no exception. Jörg Breuning, co-founder of Green Roof Service, LLC, will teach you how to improve your design and avoid some common mistakes and a few myths associated with green roofs.

Visit The New York Botanical Garden website, and to register or for more information, call 718.817.8747 or visit the Continuing Education page. 

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March 3-5: Ecobuild 2009, London, England, UK
Source: Ecobuild

Ecobuild is the world's biggest event dedicated to sustainable design, construction and the built environment. Now in its fifth year, Ecobuild 2009 will attract in excess of 800 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors, and host more than 100 seminar and conference sessions along with dozens of topical and inspiring visitor attractions.

Ecobuild started life in September 2004 as a small "green building" conference alongside another event at The Truman Brewery in London's Brick Lane. Almost immediately it developed a following amongst pioneering architects and designers and attracted a small community of suppliers of innovative sustainable construction products.

Such was the enthusiasm that the first Ecobuild proper took place less than a year later, in June 2005, at the QEII Conference Centre. Having outgrown that venue, Ecobuild moved - along with its sister event, Futurebuild - to London's Earls Court in 2006 where it has more than doubled in size and attendance every year since.

Over 500 exhibitors and nearly 26,000 visitors took part in 2008, making Ecobuild the biggest event dedicated to sustainable design, construction and the built environment in the world.

Visit the Ecobuild website.

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March 1: Call for Submissions due - Green Roofs Awards of Excellence 2009, North America
Source: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
GREEN ROOF AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2009

Awards presented Friday, June 5th, 2009, at the 7th Annual Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards, and Trade Show in Atlanta, GA.

Design Awards: Entry forms due by Sunday, March 1

The Design Awards acknowledge excellence in innovative and integrative green roof design and raise awareness of the multiple benefits that green roofs can provide clients and the general public. This year there are seven design award categories: three for extensive green roofs, those with 6 inches or less of growing medium throughout; three for intensive green roofs, those with more than six inches of growing medium or less (this category includes semi-intensive green roofs as well, i.e., those with a mix of more and less that six inches of growing medium), and one for green walls. Three different categories of buildings will be awarded. New and existing or retrofit projects will not be differentiated. Residential buildings can be either single family and/or multi-unit. Applicants may submit more than one project for the same, or different award categories. The award categories are:

• Intensive Industrial/Commercial or Extensive Industrial/Commercial
• Intensive Institutional or Extensive Institutional
• Intensive Residential or Extensive Residential
• Green Walls Award

Green Roof Design Submission Forms (.doc, 290 KB)
Green Wall Design Submission Forms (.doc, 287 KB)

Research Awards: Entry forms due by Sunday, March 1

The Research Awards honour individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to the green roof industry in research. Completed nomination forms can be emailed to awards@greenroofs.org.

Research Awards Nomination Form (.doc, ~240 KB)
Dr. David Beattie Lifetime Achievement Award in Green Roof/Wall Research Nomination Form (.doc, ~240 KB)

Civic Awards – Government and Non-Government: Entry forms due by Sunday, March 1

The Civic Awards – Government and Non-Government honour individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to the green roof industry in policy development. Completed nomination forms can be emailed to awards@greenroofs.org.

Civic Awards - Government and Non-Government Nomination Form (.doc, ~245 KB)  

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February 18: Vegetative Roof Systems for Roofing Contractors: Your Rewards, Responsibilities and Risks, Linthicum, Maryland, USA

February 26: Vegetative Roof Systems for Roofing Contractors: Your Rewards, Responsibilities and Risks, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Source: National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

The National Roofing Contractors Association will present five one-day conferences specifically designed for roofing contractors and those who are interested in properly designing, installing and maintaining vegetative roof systems.  Vegetative Roof Systems for Roofing Contractors: Your Rewards, Responsibilities and Risks will discuss the economic and environmental benefits of vegetative roof systems, essential waterproofing requirements, construction details, growing media and vegetation, and building code compliance.  In addition, our experts will identify roofing contractors’ responsibilities, as well as clarify the functions and duties of other related trades, and offer recommendations for successful coordination of all parties involved in the installation and ongoing maintenance of a vegetative roof system.

Join industry technical professionals including NRCA’s Mark Graham and Jim Kirby, along with Kelly Luckett, president of Green Roof Blocks, Florissant, Mo., and learn how to build a thriving and profitable vegetative roof systems business.

Feb. 18: Baltimore Sheraton Baltimore Washington Airport Hotel, 1100 Old Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum, MD 21090 Phone: 443-577-2721

Feb. 26: Atlanta Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta Airport, 1900 Sullivan Road, College Park, GA 30337 Phone: 770-994-2485

Below are all of the 2009 dates:

Feb. 18: Baltimore, MD
Feb. 26: Atlanta, GA
March 5: Chicago, IL
March 11: Seattle, WA
April 23: Boston, MA

Tuition: NRCA members $295; nonmembers: $395

Visit the NRCA website, or for more information about this course, click here or call NRCA’s Customer Service Department, at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722). 

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February 18-22: Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Seattle, Washington, USA
Source: Northwest Flower & Garden Show

The Northwest Flower & Garden Show was held at the Washington State Convention Center, 7th & Pike, Seattle, WA, on February 18-22, Wed-Sat: 9am - 8pm, Su: 9am - 6pm.  You are invited to join the fun at the annual celebration. An entertaining floral funfest for you and your friends.  Thousands upon thousands of flowers and plants with all their rich colors, fragrances and textures.  Six acres of inspiring gardens, free seminars for all gardening levels, and shopping at 350 exhibits all strictly related to gardening, outdoor living and gardeners.

Visit the Northwest Flower & Garden Show website.  

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February 20: ASLA Call for Presentations for 2009 Annual Meeting & EXPO due, USA
Source: ASLA

The call for presentations for the ASLA 2009 Annual Meeting and EXPO is now closed.  If you are interested in presenting and sharing your knowledge with the landscape architecture profession, we encourage you to submit a proposal online for consideration.  The call for presentations was open until February 20, 2009.

The annual meeting and EXPO will be held September 18-21 in Chicago and we are expecting another record-breaking attendance. The 2009 meeting theme will be Beyond Sustainability: Regenerating Places and People.

Visit the Education Session Overview page, and the ASLA website.  

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February 17: Green roofs - Basic principles and design, Glasgow, Scotland
Source: CIRIA

These green roof sessions have been developed in partnership between CIRIA, the Green Roof consultancy and Livingroofs.org who are working together to deliver guidance on the implementation of green roofs, green walls and other biodiversity features. The training will enable delegates to efficiently plan, design and manage green roofs in accordance with best practice guidance and the relevant regulatory framework. Below are all of the dates:

9 October 2008, Bristol
28 October 2008, Belfast
25 November 2008, London
20 January 2009, Sheffield
17 February 2009, Glasgow

Register and visit the CIRIA training website. 

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February 12: 7th National Green Roof Conference (7. Internationales FBB-Gründach-Symposium - Neues aus Forschung und Praxis), Ditzingen, Germany
Source: Prof. Dr. Manfred Köhler, FBB

The FBB (association of green covered buildings Germany) is a non-governmental, non profit organization to promote all national activities of green roofs (extensive and intensive), green facades and other technology on greenery related functions in architecture.  Some members from foreign countries are also part of the FBB-community.

See the International FBB-Greenroof Symposium Agenda, in German, here.  Contact info: Prof. Dr. Manfred Köhler
koehler@hs-nb.de.

Visit the FBB Conference website.  

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February 11-12: Better Buildings By Design Conference 2009, Burlington, Vermont, USA
Source: Efficiency Vermont

Better Buildings by Design 2009 was held on February 11 & 12 at the Sheraton Conference Center in Burlington, Vermont. Better Buildings by Design is the region's premier design and construction conference, featuring interactive learning about building durability, efficiency, and value for both residential and commercial projects.

HEAR FROM THE EXPERTS
Find out what works, what doesn't, and what you can put into practice immediately through the research and experience of nationally and locally recognized leaders in the field.


EARN CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
Attend our Better Buildings By Design workshops to earn continuing education credits.

STRENGTHEN YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE
Learn the latest techniques and technologies for superior building performance, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. Choose from more than 30 workshops in four different learning tracks.

MAKE KEY CONTACTS
Network with the region's top design and construction professionals who share your commitment to quality construction, energy efficiency, aesthetic integrity, occupant health and comfort, and environmental stewardship.

SEE THE LATEST PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Visit the Better Buildings By Design Conference 2009 website.

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February 10: Introduction to Green Roofs, Sheffield, England, UK
Source: The Green Roof Centre

The Green Roof Centre - established by the University of Sheffield and Groundwork Sheffield working in partnership with the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities, is holding a series of one day greenroof training courses entitled "Introduction to Green Roofs."  The course will be held on the 10th of February, 2009 from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm at the ICOSS Building in Sheffield, UK.

Who should attend?
The course is aimed at anyone with an interest in green roofs and does not require any previous knowledge of the technology.

Content
Each day course consists of a series of presentations from experts in the field, followed by a mini-tour of green roofs across South Yorkshire, giving delegates an unique opportunity to see for themselves the range, diversity and potential of green roofs.

Cost
£225 + VAT This includes lunch and training notes.

If you have any questions please contact Anna Cooper, Green Roof Officer on 0114 263 6425 or email anna@thegreenroofcentre.co.uk.

Visit The Green Roof Centre website for booking and more info.  

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February 4-6: Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference, Washington, D.C., USA
Source: Blue Green Alliance

New Congress. New administration. The future of green jobs is now.  The Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference - the leading forum for shaping the national debate about investment in clean energy and green technologies - was held on February 4–6 in Washington, D.C.  Government decision-makers and elected officials will join more than 2,000 labor, environmental and business advocates to forge and agenda for a refashioned, green economy.

The 2009 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference will set the stage for stakeholders from across the country to forge an agenda for realizing the enormous opportunities we can achieve by investing in green jobs. Prominent national leaders and Workshop Sessions to explore new ideas and exchange best practices; Green Jobs Expo featuring various companies, academic institutions and organizations displaying green technology or products from manufacturing; and Green Jobs Advocacy Day – Conference participants head up to Capitol Hill to educate lawmakers about the new, green economy.

The Green Jobs Expo will showcase the many pathways to green jobs and careers. Free and open to the public, the Expo is Feb. 5, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., at the Marriott Wardman Park.  The District of Columbia will anchor the Expo with over 20 booths to display its efforts to build a more sustainable city.  Visit over 85 booths from academic institutions, manufacturers, non-profit agencies, corporations and governmental agencies highlighting interactive and dynamic displays that portray a multitude of career options in the emerging green economy. The Green Jobs Expo Theater will feature presentations throughout the day on trends and academic programs in green jobs.

Visit the Green Jobs Conference 2009 website.  

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February 1-5: NRCA Convention and International Roofing Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Source: NRCA

NRCA's 122nd Annual Convention was held in conjunction with Hanley Wood’s 2009 International Roofing Expo (IRE) at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV on February 1-5, 2009.  To take your business to a whole new level, participate and you will:

Discover hundreds of new products and ideas in the exhibit hall.

Acquire industry knowledge through new, accredited educational programs. You can choose from more than 50 topics, including technical, green, workplace safety, leadership/management and general business issues tracks.

Explore the industry’s most innovative, time-saving and cost-effective products that are changing the face of the industry in the New Product Pavilion.

Network with colleagues and peers (new and familiar) at the NRCA Luncheon and NRCA Cocktail and Awards Reception, on the trade show floor and during the educational sessions.

Learn from and connect with respected experts throughout the industry who will provide real-world solutions to current challenges.

Register here and visit the NRCA Convention page.

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January 26-29: US Composting Council's 17th Annual Conference & Trade Show, Houston, Texas, USA
Source: USCC

The only national conference run by & for composting & organics recycling professionals, the US Composting Council's (USCC) 17th Annual Conference & Tradeshow was held at the Westin Galleria, Houston, TX on January 26-29, 2009. Join us for The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste & Organics Recycling Industry.

Conference Highlights Include: more than 100 educational and technical presentations and workshops on every aspect of Composting & the Benefits of Compost Use, Organics Recycling, Anaerobic Digestion and other Alternative Treatment Technologies, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Organics & Composting, Carbon Credits, Energy from Organics, Renewable Energy, Biodegradable/Compostable Plastics, State Composting Regulations & Standards; 11 training courses; more than 100 exhibitors; "Live" Equipment Demonstrations from 20+ manufacturers & Compost Facility tours, "Tools of the Trade" workshop: the 5th annual Showcase of compost products; the 3rd annual "experts corner"; certification exams & CEU's; raffles and giveaways of thousands of $'s worth of USCC publications & much more...Join us for THE Most Important Composting & Organics Recycling Event of 2009.

Many pre-conference trainings and workshops include these Green Roofs for Healthy Cities courses on January 29, 2009:

"Green Roof Design 101" Training Course, taught by Jennifer Sprout of GRHC - For course description & agenda click here;
NEW for 2009! Green Roof Infrastructure: Plants and Growing Medium 401, taught by Patrick Carey of hadj design - For course description & agenda click here.

Early Registration Closed December 24!

Visit the US Composting Council website.

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January 27: Living Roofs and Walls, London, England
Source: BD Conferences

Living Roofs and Walls is a BD event which will give architects, building engineers and planning professionals a practical guide to incorporating living roofs and walls into new developments and retrofitting to existing structures, to be held on the 27th January 2009 at the America Square Conference Centre, London EC3N. The London Plan expects major developments to incorporate living roofs and walls where feasible. More and more local authorities are altering their planning guidelines to encourage the implementation of living roofs and walls. The environmental benefits are clear:

The relief of increased pressures on urban land, preventing water run-off, promoting biodiversity, increasing accessible green space, and improving local climate conditions. The installation of this technology can also help you meet planning
guidelines and get applications passed as well as having thermal and waterproofing benefits. However, where previously policy support has been weak, this is all set to change. Do you have all the technical information and skills to include living roofs
and walls as a priority in your projects.

BD’s Living Roofs and Walls conference will give architects, landscape architects, building engineers and planning professionals a practical guide to incorporating living roofs and walls into new developments and retrofitting to existing structures.

Key topics to be discussed:

Attend this essential forum to acquire the most up-to-date information, hear leading case studies and meet the key industry players.
• Using living roofs and walls to meet planning guidelines
• Hear a live costing of different green roof scenarios on an example building
• Reviewing the latest green roof technology and installation techniques
• Comparing and contrasting Scandinavian case studies
• Exploring the environmental, thermal and creative possibilities for green walls.

Download the Living Roofs and Walls Conference PDF.

Visit the BD Conferences website or: Phone: 020 7921 8039 Email: conferences@cmpi.biz

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January 23-25: Go Green Expo, Los Angeles, California, USA
Source: Go Green Expo

Go Green Expo invites both consumers & business owners to learn more about what is readily available so they can take steps to purchase earth friendly products & services to make our communities greener, one city at a time. The Los Angeles Go Green Expo will be held at the LA Convention Center.

A truly unique event from the ground up, Go Green Expo will change not only the public's perception of environmentalism but also how events like this are produced and managed. Inviting companies large and small to showcase what they are doing to reduce their respective carbon footprint, consumers will have hands on experiences with "eco-friendly" alternatives to current everyday products and services.

Tickets:
Friday: Complimentary to Business Buyers (please bring your business card for admission)
Saturday & Sunday: $10 for a full weekend pass / open to both business buyers & consumers.

Make sure to visit George Irwin, of Green Living™ Technologies, LLC as well as the Green Wall Editor here on Greenroofs.com on the exhibitors floor.

Visit the Go Green Expo Los Angeles web page.

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January 20: Green roofs - Basic principles and design, Sheffield, England
Source: CIRIA

These green roof sessions have been developed in partnership between CIRIA, the Green Roof consultancy and Livingroofs.org who are working together to deliver guidance on the implementation of green roofs, green walls and other biodiversity features. The training will enable delegates to efficiently plan, design and manage green roofs in accordance with best practice guidance and the relevant regulatory framework. Below are all of the dates:

9 October 2008, Bristol
28 October 2008, Belfast
25 November 2008, London
20 January 2009, Sheffield
17 February 2009, Glasgow

Register and visit the CIRIA training website.
 

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January 19: Deadline for Vertical Gardens Call for Proposal from SEA (Social-Environmental Aesthetics) Project of EXIT ART, New York, New York, USA
Source: Steve Williams, BUILDINGGREENER LLC

In 2009 - 2010 Exit Art’s subterranean venue, Exit Underground, will present five exhibitions for its new initiative SEA (Social Environmental Aesthetics). SEA is a unique endeavor that presents a diverse multimedia exhibition program and permanent archive of artworks that address social and environmental concerns.

We are asking artists to consider the following exhibition themes in the context of SEA’s central mission: to provide a vehicle through which the public can be made aware of socially and environmentally-engaged work, and to provide a forum for collaboration between artists, scientists, activists, scholars and the public. SEA functions as an initiative where individuals can join together in dialogue about issues that affect our daily lives.

Exit Underground's gallery is a unique space that is roughly 480 square feet with eight-foot ceilings. We are looking for work in the mediums of video, photography, painting, drawing, audio, poetry, and installation - the work MUST be sized appropriately for Exit Underground. Due to the nature of the space, we are limited to presenting work on the wall.

VERTICAL GARDENS - DUE JANUARY 19, 2009

The past decade has seen an emergence of green roofs and vertical gardens created by artists, designers, architects and urban gardeners to combat the lack of flora in the city. Buildings around the world — from the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, to the Queens Botanical Garden in New York — have embraced green walls or roofs for all their economical, environmental, and aesthetic values. On a more practical level, vertical farms and gardens are being envisioned as new ways to feed local and organic foods to city dwellers. Based on the principles of hydroponics, vertical gardens would also be largely self-sustaining because they would capture large amounts of natural sunlight and water, and could use wind as an energy source. Will Allen — the Milwaukee-based farmer who recently won a MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant, and whose two-acre organization, Growing Power, produces over $500,000 worth of affordable produce, meat and fish — has said: “I’d like to see Growing Power transform itself into a five-story vertical building being totally off the grid with renewable energy.” In a country where cities are suffocated by industrial materials, where can green space exist? One answer is: Up.

These and other urban parks and gardens provide areas for socialization and recreation; a location for a city farm or community land-trust; an outlet through which hundreds of people can learn about farming and agriculture; and the addition of much needed plant and animal life to the otherwise concrete jungle.

We would like artists to submit work that explores the idea of the green roof and/or the vertical garden. Artists can, but are not limited to, create a structural rendering, examine the benefits or shortfalls, or respond critically to these sustainable gardens. EXTENDED DUE JANUARY 19, 2009.

Visit the EXIT ART website to apply and for more info.  

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January 17, 2009: Green Roofs for Sustainable Landscapes Program, Greenville, Delaware, USA
Source: Philly.com Garden Calendar

Mt. Cuba Center is a 650-acre non-profit horticultural institution in northern Delaware. We’re dedicated to the study, conservation, and appreciation of plants native to the Appalachian Piedmont Region through garden display, education, and research. Our woodland wildflower gardens are recognized as the region’s finest.

Event Information
Does the concept of a living roof fascinate you?

Date: Saturday, January 17
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Cost: $35 (lunch included)
Instructor: Sarah Murphy, Greenroof Canopy

This course describes the basics of green roof architecture with emphasis on the aesthetic and ecological benefits. Sarah Murphy illustrated the design process with specific case studies. How to select your system, what plants to choose, and how to maintain your greenroof will be discussed in this innovative and informative class.

Green Roofs for Sustainable Landscapes Program on creating and maintaining a green roof, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at Mount Cuba Center, 3120 Barley Mill Rd., Hockessin, Del. Fee: $35 includes lunch.

Visit the Mt. Cuba Center website, or to pre-register call: 302-234-4244 or visit the Green Roofs for Sustainable Landscapes Program page.

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Green Roofs for Healthy Cities offered Green Roof Design Courses on the following dates in 2008.  For More Information and to Register, please call: 416.971.4494 ext. 228 or click here.   Always check their website, as course dates are subject to change.

See the GRHC 2008 Training Calendar here (PDF).  Note:  Hyperlinked cities indicates that all course dates are available.

Design 101 Introductory Course (2nd Edition):
This introductory training course on green roof infrastructure design presents many of the tools and techniques needed to meet your green roof project objectives on schedule, to specification, and within budget. The focus of the training will be on enhancing your skills in:

* Identifying the costs and benefits of green roofs to reach your green roof performance goals;
* Identifying a variety of green roof products and understanding the performance criteria of different green roof elements, and their relevance to your design intent;
* Understanding the major design principles for a successful green roof project and the causes for error which might lead to an unsuccessful green roof project;
* Determining the various professions and competencies required to optimally implement your successful green roof project.

For more information on the course and its contents, please refer to our website www.greenroofs.org.

Tuition:

Tuition for this one-day course is $399 for a non-GRHC Member and $349 for a Professional Member. Tuition includes course materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks. If paying by cheque, please note it must be received in our office no later than three days before the event. Registrations may be canceled by a participant up to THREE DAYS prior to the event, and will incur a $50 cancellation fee. We regret that we cannot cancel a registration after that point.

Design 101 dates:
January 18, 2008: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm at the Mid Am Trade Show, Hyatt Regency McCormick, Chicago, IL
January 24: Atlanta, GA
January 29: Austin, TX and Washington, D.C.

February 7: New York, NY
February 9: Oakland, CA at the US Composting Council Conference & Trade Show, Oakland, CA
February 19: Toronto, Canada
February 20: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
February 26: Eugene, OR: Courtyard by Marriott, 3443 Hutton Street, Springfield, OR; trainer: Patrick Carey
February 27: Denver, CO: Dave & Buster's of Denver, 2000 South Colorado Blvd. Denver, CO; trainer William Foley
February 28: Omaha, NE: The Thompson Center at UNO Centennial Hall West 6705 Dodge Street Omaha, NE; trainer Patrick Carey; and San Diego, CA: San Diego Holiday Inn 1617 First Ave, San Diego, CA; trainer Haven Kiers; and Los Angeles, CA

March 3: Baltimore, MD: at NFMT, the Baltimore Convention Center, Room 331, One West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD; trainer Barbara Deutsch
March 4: Chicago, IL
March 5: Seattle, WA: Master Builders Association 335 116th Ave SE Bellevue, WA; trainer Patrick Carey
March 7: Minneapolis, MN: North St. Paul Community Center, 2290 1st Street North, Saint Paul, MN; trainer Patrick Carey
March 7: Vancouver, B.C., Canada: BCIT, Room 486 555 Seymour St., Vancouver, BC; trainer Haven Kiers
March 12: Milwaukee, WI: Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, Conference Room 1313, West Mount Vernon Avenue, Milwaukee, WI; trainer Virginia Russell
March 26: Indianapolis, IN: Fountain Square Theatre Building, Shelby B-C, 1105 Prospect Street Indianapolis, IN; trainer Virginia Russell
March 27: Boston, MA: Boston Public Library, Lower Level, A Conference Room, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA; trainer Barbara Deutsch
March 28: Montreal, Canada: Venue TBC; trainer Karen Moyer
March 31: Philadelphia, PA

April 10: Las Vegas
April 24: Nashville, TN

May 15: San Antonio, TX

June 11: Cincinnati, OH
June 12: Cleveland, OH

July 30: New York, NY

August 5: Pittsburgh, PA

September 16: Tampa, FL
September 18: Charlotte, NC
September 23: Baltimore, MD

November 13: Chicago, IL

Always check the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities website, as course dates are subject to change.

Design and Installation - 201:
This is GRHC’s second course in the Green Roof Accreditation Program. Registrants should have already taken the Green Roof Design 101 Introductory Course or have a solid understanding of green roof design and available technology.

This course covers a multitude of implementation issues and what cannot be taught in one day will be available as supporting documentation in the participant’s manual. Covering material dealing with green roof actors' roles and responsibilities, construction contracts & administration and material implementation, Green Roof Infrastructure Design and Installation 201 has it all!

This course provides the necessary information that will equip you to project manage the design and installation of a green roof. You will learn:

* Essential qualifications for your project team.
* Critical questions you need to ask your client (matching their ecological requirements to design practicalities).
* Identifying building code/municipal permit issues.
* Liability issues (including insurance, waivers, guarantees etc.).
* Design and implementation issues for new and retrofit buildings (including structural loading concerns, drainage, erosion control, storm water retention, etc.).
* Sub contracting and scheduling concerns...and much more.

Tuition:

Tuition for this one-day course is $399 for a non-GRHC Member and $349 for a Professional Member. Tuition includes course materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks. To apply for membership click here. If paying by cheque, please note it must be received in our office no later than three days before the event. Registrations may be canceled by a participant up to THREE DAYS prior to the event, and will incur a $50 cancellation fee. We regret that we cannot cancel a registration after that point.

Design 201 dates:
February 26: Eugene, OR

April 2: Los Angeles, CA
April 3: Atlanta, GA
April 8: Austin, TX
April 16: San Francisco, CA
April 17: Omaha, NE
April 23: Raleigh, NC

May 3: Baltimore, MD
May 14: New York, NY
May 21: Philadelphia, PA
May 22: Denver, CO
May 27: Toronto, Canada
May 28: Victoria, Canada

June 3: Chicago, IL
June 5: Minneapolis, MN
June 10: Milwaukee, WI
June 17: Indianapolis, IN
June 19: Boston, MA
June 24: Washington, D.C.

Aug 15: Boston, MA

Sept 12: Montreal, Canada
September 25: Edmonton, Canada

November 13: Baltimore, MD

December 2: Tampa, FL

Waterproofing and Drainage - 301 (new course):
This is GRHC’s third course in the Green Roof Accreditation Program. Registrants should have already taken the Green Roof Design 101 Introductory Course and Green Roof Infrastructure Design & Installation 201 or have an in-depth understanding of green roof design and available technology.

This course will provide participants with an overview of waterproofing and drainage construction and maintenance for green roof assemblies. It lays out technical vocabulary and materials and presents detailed design solutions and implementation best management practices for waterproofing and drainage in green roofs.

This course provides information that you can put to work immediately, allowing you to:

* Understand the principles of waterproofing and drainage as they apply to green roofs;
* Identify appropriate materials for waterproofing and drainage of your green roof project;
* Understand the technical design requirements for waterproofing and drainage in green roofs; and,
* Understand the potential implementation issues posed by the additional trades working on a roof and techniques for its prevention.

Tuition:

Tuition for this one-day course is $399 for a non-GRHC Member and $349 for a Professional Member. Tuition includes course materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks. To apply for membership click here. If paying by cheque, please note it must be received in our office no later than three days before the event. Registrations may be canceled by a participant up to THREE DAYS prior to the event, and will incur a $50 cancellation fee. We regret that we cannot cancel a registration after that point.

Always check the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities website, as course dates are subject to change.

Design 301 dates:
April 9: Ann Arbor, MI

May 13: Eugene, OR

July 15: Los Angeles, CA
July 17: San Francisco, CA
July 23: Atlanta, GA and Omaha, NE

August 7: New York, NY
August 12: Philadelphia, PA
August 13: Calgary, Canada
August 14: Denver, CO

September 16: Toronto, Canada
September 17: Vancouver, B.C., Canada and Boston, MA
September 18: Montreal, Canada
September 23: Chicago, IL
September 25: Indianapolis, IN
September 30: Milwaukee, WI and Washington, D.C.

October 15: Atlanta, GA

Green Walls 101 - Introduction to Systems and Design (new course):
This course familiarizes participants with existing green wall technologies, their environmental benefits and issues related to their design and construction. It provides design details and exercises on: major functions and components; the various advantages of different green wall systems; market drivers; and designing for maximum benefits and LEED™ points. Tuition: $395.00

This course provides information that you can put to work immediately, including details and exercises on how to:

Determine major functions and components of a green wall
Describe characteristics and assess various advantages of different green wall systems
Understand market drivers encouraging green wall implementation in North America; and
Understand how to design green walls for maximum benefits and LEED™ points.

Green Walls dates:
March 11: Chicago, IL

April 17: Seattle, WA
April 23: San Francisco, CA
April 24: New York, NY
April 30: Baltimore, MD

May 13: Vancouver, B.C., Canada

September 24: Boson, MA

November 18: Toronto, Canada
November 20: Washington, D.C.

Always check the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities website, as course dates are subject to change.

Green Roof Infrastructure: Plants and Growing Medium 401 (new course):

This course was launched at the 6th Annual Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference Awards and Trade Show and will provide participants with an overview of plants and growing medium design considerations and maintenance for green roof assemblies. It establishes design and implementation best management practices for plants and growing medium in green roofs.

This course provides information that you can put to work immediately, allowing you to:

*Understand the principles of plant physiology and soil sciences as they apply to green roofs;
*Identify appropriate applications of various plant and growing material for your green roof project;
*Understand the technical requirements for growing medium and plant life;
*Understand the potential implementation issues related to plant care and growing medium contamination.

Tuition:

Tuition for this one-day course is $499 for a non-GRHC Member and $449 for a Professional Member. Tuition includes course materials, continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks. To apply for membership, the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities website. If paying by cheque, please note it must be received in our office no later than three days before the event.

Design 401 dates:
April 30: Baltimore, MD - reduced Conference rate
May 3: Baltimore, MD - reduced Conference rate
September 25: Eugene, OR

October 7: Austin, TX
October 8: Calgary, Canada
October 9: Denver, CO
October 14: Los Angeles, CA
October 15: San Antonio, TX
October 16: San Francisco, CA
October 22: Omaha, NE
October 23: Boston, MA

November 4: New York, NY
November 5: Nashville, TN
November 18: Chicago, IL
November 19: Milwaukee, WI
November 20: Indianapolis, IN

December 2: Toronto, Canada
December 3: Vancouver, B.C., Canada and Washington, D.C.
December 4: Montreal, Canada
December 9: Cincinnati, OH

Please note:

Those using AIA, RCI, ASLA or APLD credits for application toward their local/regional association or for license renewal can acquire 7.5 education credits (per course) for participating. Please see the registration form for more details.

For further information on our training courses, please contact Anna Sergeyeva, Administrative Assistant, Membership and Training at 416.971.4494, ext. 228 (asergeyeva@greenroofs.org) or Jordan Richie at 416.971.4494 ext. 221 (jrichie@greenroofs.org).

Biodiversity dates:
February 22: Toronto, Canada

Green Roof Market Development Symposium:
Green roofs provide multiple environmental, economic, and social benefits to building owners, occupants, and the community. Because the nature and extent of green roof benefits vary from region to region, technical research is required at the local level to understand the performance and regional scale benefits specific to each city.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a membership-based network of organizations working to further the green roof industry in North America, will be hosting a Green Roof Market Development Symposium in various cities throughout North America. Our dynamic agenda will focus on local research needs and obstacles to green roof implementation  to help to increase awareness, and leverage local resources and investment.

The Symposium will feature: morning sessions, case studies, and afternoon focus groups, and the development of a Green Roof Action Plan.

The goal of the morning session is to educate Symposium participants on the basic principles of green roofs. The session will begin with an introductory presentation by a GRHC representative on the components and types of green roof systems.

Case studies of local green roof projects will follow, and will explore topics such as the challenges of upkeep, energy benefits, stormwater management, and downtown re-investment and smart growth. Case studies and morning sessions are presented by local and national green roof experts, and will help to define the benefits of green roof systems as they relate to the city.

The afternoon focus group sessions are facilitated by city staff and will help to describe the obstacles of green roof implementation. This session is followed by a 30-minute plenary reporting and discussion period, in which an Action Plan Summary is developed and distributed to all attending delegates following the workshop.

Green Roof Market Development Symposium dates:
February 13, 2008: Las Vegas Green Roof Market Development Symposium

March 7: Nashville, TN

Always check the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities website, as course dates are subject to change.

December 12 and 13: Building-Integrated Sustainable Agriculture (B-ISA) Summit, Berkeley, CA, USA
Source: Sky Vegetables Press Release

Sky Vegetables hosted a summit of industry-leading specialists from around the world at the first-ever Building-Integrated Sustainable Agriculture (B-ISA) Summit on December 12th and 13th at the Durant Hotel, in Berkeley, California. More than 15 presenters, and 30 attendees were present at this invitation-only, two-day event, with an expressed goal of developing a draft-design of an open source rooftop farm prototype and developing a strong network of support for the B-ISA Initiative. There was a simultaneous webcast at www.skyvegetables.com,  beginning at 8 A.M., PST each day.

Experts convened to share the best ideas and information about B-ISA systems from the diverse disciplines of architecture, structural engineering, aquaponics, controlled environment greenhouses, composting, alternative energy, automated systems, aquaculture, hydroponics, horticulture, integrated biological systems, sustainable farming, water economics, urban agriculture, and green business.

Summit hosts and co-organizers are Sky Vegetables’ founder, Keith Agoada, and Technical Director, James Kalin, who introduced the concept of collaborative brainstorming for an open-source prototype for rooftop farming. Agoada is no stranger to big ideas. His brainchild Sky Vegetables business plan, to build hydroponic greenhouses on the rooftops of grocery stores, took home the top prize last year at the University of Wisconsin School of Business, where Agoada was a senior in their undergraduate program.

Summit organizers anticipate that the group will work with summit presenter and Mithun principal, Sandy Mendler, AIA, to generate the precise wording of a proposed US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) Credit for B-ISA systems in general, and the group’s rooftop farm design prototype in particular. USGBC’s LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. Mendler is a nationally recognized design leader and advocate for sustainability.

One of the 2008 MacArthur Fellows recipients, Will Allen, will be the B-ISA summit’s keynote speaker for Saturday’s Dinner Banquet. Allen is an urban farmer who is transforming the cultivation, production, and delivery of healthy foods to underserved, urban populations through the work of his non-profit organization, Growing Power, which he directs and co-founded. In 1995, while assisting neighborhood children with a gardening project, Allen began developing the farming methods and educational programs that are now the hallmark of his programs designed to help provide access to safe and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables to improve the diets of low-income, urban populations.

Read the Press Release: Sky Vegetables - 12.08.08
Sky Vegetables, Urban Agriculture Company, Hosts First-Ever Building-Integrated Sustainable Agriculture (B-ISA) Summit

For more information about the B-ISA summit, go to www.skyvegetables.com or email info@skyvegetables.com.  A complete list of speakers and presentations will be posted on Sky Vegetables website following the close of the conference.

December 8-11: Ecobuild Fall & AEC-ST Fall, Washington, D.C., USA
Source: Ecobuild America

Ecobuild Fall and AEC-ST Fall 2008 were held at the Washington Convention Center, in Washington, D.C.  Ecobuild Fall - Sustainable, Green and High Performance Solutions for the Built Environment and AEC-ST Fall – Science & Technology for Architecture, Engineering &Construction is an annual event that goes beyond green to cover the breadth of green building, sustainable design, renewable energy, environmental planning processes and information collaboration strategies for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential construction.

Attendees included AEC professionals, owners, developers, and facility managers – the entire project team in one place, at one time. These design and construction professionals came from both the private sector and government.

The exhibit featured a uniquely integrated display of the latest green and sustainable building products, technologies, developments, and services, as well as IT solutions to help AEC professionals better design, specify, and manage their
projects. Featuring: Green Insulation Pavilion, Intelligent Buildings Pavilion, Green Mechanical Pavilion, and Efficient Windows Collaborative Pavilion.

The 3 day conference program with scores of technical sessions in 14 tracks covered: Building Performance & Engineering; Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy; Facilities Management & Intelligent Buildings; Government –Federal, State & Municipal; Green Construction & Homebuilding; Green Globes™, LEED® & Other Rating Systems; Green Mechanical/Electrical Systems & Operations; Information Technology, BIM & Interoperability; Infrastructure, Civil/Site/Land Development; Power, Process, Plant & Utilities; Practice Management, Business Development & Marketing; Project Management & Cost Control (Estimating/ Scheduling/Budgeting); Specifications & Contract Documents; Sustainable Design.

Visit the Ecobuild Fall & AEC-ST Fall Press Release.

December 5: Green Roofs and Plant Materials: An Advanced Introduction, Cambridge, MA, USA
December 5: Maintaining a Green Roof: Best Practices, Cambridge, MA, USA
Source: West Roxbury Transcript

These classes at Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University were held on December 5 at the Landscape Institute, 30 Chauncy St., Cambridge, Massachusetts:

· Green Roofs and Plant Materials: An Advanced Introduction

Edmund Snodgrass, nurseryman and owner of Emory Knoll Farms Inc., teaches this one-session class from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Dec. 5. The fee is $40. Offered by the Arnold Arboretum Adult Education Program in collaboration with the Landscape Institute. This lecture will take place at the Landscape Institute, 30 Chauncy St., Cambridge.

Sustainability is the buzzword these days, but what does it mean in terms of green roofs, especially in the Northeast?

In this class for design students and practitioners, Ed Snodgrass will attempt to detail and explain green roof fundamentals. A farmer-turned-nurseryman, he owns Emory Knoll Farms in Street, Maryland where he and his wife grow the plants used in many of Boston’s and the nation’s green roof installations.

As he approaches a site, his goals are to solve storm-water issues, reduce heat-island effect, and deliver cost-effective, resource-saving solutions. In this class, Snodgrass will address the evolution and implications of LEED’s requirements and present a realistic view of what is feasible for green roof technology in New England.

He will help designers determine what it is they need to know, and where to learn what they don’t know, and he’ll emphasize the importance of their presence on a green roof team as the voice for horticulture.

· Maintaining a Green Roof: Best Practices
Edmund Snodgrass, nurseryman and owner of Emory Knoll Farms Inc., teaches this program from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.The fee is $40. Offered by the Arnold Arboretum Adult Education Program in collaboration with the Landscape Institute. This lecture will take place at the Landscape Institute, 30 Chauncy St., Cambridge.

As an increasing number of Metro-Boston’s roofs become green, there will be a growing need for knowledgeable individuals to care for them. In this class, Ed Snodgrass will get into the nitty-gritty details of maintaining plants in these harsh, unforgiving environments.

He will cover issues such as life expectancy of plants and budgeting guidelines for replacements, nutrient rates and kinds, winged invaders and common weeds, plant survival through New England’s freezes and thaws, timing and methods of maintenance, best practices and managing client expectations.

Visit the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University website.

December 1-2: ENERGY STAR® Summit 2008, Denver, CO, USA
Source: E-Star.com

E-Star Colorado, ENERGY STAR and Comfort Air Distributing held the third annual ENERGY STAR Summit on December 1 & 2 at the Hyatt Regency -- Denver Tech Center, 7800 East Tufts Avenue, Denver, CO 80237, offering two days of continuing education courses combined with a Sponsor Expo.  The ENERGY STAR Summit brings together the best minds in the home building industry to discuss and educate home builders, contractors, architects, manufacturers, code officials, remodeling professionals, utilities, students and educators about the cutting edge designs and techniques for the construction of high performance homes.

As energy prices continue to climb homebuyers and homeowners are looking for ways to make home ownership more affordable. As a result homeowners and buyers are increasingly interested in energy-efficient homes. To adapt to this growing demand homebuilders and remodeling contractors are discovering the need for an ever growing set of skills. The ENERGY STAR Summit provides the education and resources for these organizations to adapt to a changing residential landscape.

Climate change, whether you believe in it or not, is changing the construction landscape. Federal, state, and local communities are adopting climate action goals which are filtering down to residential construction. Builders who are aware of what is quickly coming down the road will be able to adapt and growth their business.

Visit the ENERGY STAR® Summit 2008 website.

December 1: Deadline for submission of Extended Abstracts for The Second International Conference on Countermeasures to Urban Heat Islands (SICCUHI), Berkeley, CA, USA.
Source: EPA Heat Island News

The Second International Conference on Countermeasures to Urban Heat Islands (SICCUHI) will be held September 21-23, 2009 in Berkeley, California.  The SICCUHI will be devoted to the science, engineering and public policies to help relieve the excess heat and air pollution of Summers in hot cities.  It has long been recognized that the excessive heat and smog in many cities in the Summer, the "Urban Heat Island", is partly due to the choices of building materials, vegetation and urban design.

In August 2006, an International Conference on Countermeasures to Urban Heat Islands (ICCUHI) took place in Tokyo, Japan.  This was the first time a large group dealt entirely with both the technologies and public policies to mitigate urban heat islands.  This conference was cosponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MLIT) and the International Energy Agency.  It was attended by about 200 people from Japan, USA, Europe, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The conference was successful and the participants felt that it should be continued on a regular basis.  The Tokyo conference received extensive television coverage and appeared to generate further interest among the public and government officials.

Scientists, engineers, builders, architects, and government officials concerned with improving the urban environment are urged to participate in SICCUHI which promises to advance the field.  Conference attendees will exchange information about heat islands, their causes and effects, and countermeasures and their implementation.

The organizers invited papers on a range of topics such as observations of heat islands; effects on energy consumption, health, and pollution; materials and vegetation for the urban infrastructure; ideas for urban design; and modeling of the effects of countermeasures. In addition to scientists and engineers, attendees are expected to include government and utility officials.

More information, including instructions for submitting abstracts, is available. Visit The Second International Conference on Countermeasures to Urban Heat Islands website.

November 25: Green roofs - Basic principles and design, London, England
Source: CIRIA

These green roof sessions have been developed in partnership between CIRIA, the Green Roof consultancy and Livingroofs.org who are working together to deliver guidance on the implementation of green roofs, green walls and other biodiversity features. The training will enable delegates to efficiently plan, design and manage green roofs in accordance with best practice guidance and the relevant regulatory framework. Below are all of the dates:

9 October 2008, Bristol
28 October 2008, Belfast
25 November 2008, London
20 January 2009, Sheffield
17 February 2009, Glasgow

Register and visit the CIRIA training website.

November 20-21: 1st National Conference on Modelling of Filtration Processes:
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS, Wrocław, Poland
Source: Livingroofs.org

The Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy with the Centre for Modelling of Filtration Processes at the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences in cooperation with Green Roof Laboratory, Municipal Waterworks and Sewer Enterprise in Wrocław and Seidel-Przywecki Publishing House, kindly invite you to attend the 1st National Conference on Modelling of Filtration Processes: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS on November 20-21, 2008 at the Conference Hall of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 24a, Wrocław, Poland.

The Conference presented current trends in stormwater management with special focus on:

Green roofs, rain gardens and other systems for rainwater discharge reduction
Stormwater fees - legal aspects, calculation methods, implementation problems
Development of the storm and waster water sewer systems in urban areas.

Presentations will include those from Dr. Stephan Brenneisen (Hochschule Wadensvil) and Dusty Gedge (Livingroofs.org) on green roofs.

Download the Conference Registration form here.  Visit the Laboratorium Dachów Zielonych (Green Roof Laboratory) website, and see the English site here.

November 19-21: Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, Boston, MA, USA
Source: Greenbuild

The 2008 U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo was held in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 19 - 21, 2008.  Boston - the historic cradle of the American Revolution, home to innovations that have far-reaching impact and the perfect place to celebrate Greenbuild 2008’s theme of “Revolutionary Green: Innovations for Global Sustainability.”

Buildings play a critical role in protecting and improving our environment and the health of the people who occupy them. USGBC’s Greenbuild conference and expo is an unparalleled opportunity to connect with other green building peers, industry experts, and influential leaders as they share insights on the green building movement and its diverse specialties.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the Keynote Speaker for Greenbuild 2008.

Who's Coming?
Architects
Building Owners
Code Officials
Contractors
Developers
Educators
Engineers
Facility Managers
Financial Services Providers
Government Agencies
Green Power Providers
Home Builders
Interior Designers
Landscape Architects
Nonprofit Organizations
Product Manufacturers
Schools and Universities
Students
Visit the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo website.  

November 18: Greening the City – Adapting for Climate Impacts, London, England
Source: Livingroofs.org Calendar of Events page

Organised by Waterfront, the Greening the City – Adapting for Climate Impacts was held at The Building Centre in Central London.  The seminar provided an opportunity to understand small steps which can be taken to deliver huge benefits in improving the urban environment and creating better public green space, whilst mitigating threats from climate change. While nearly 50% of the world’s population live in cities, improving the urban environment and preventing climate change impacts becomes increasingly essential.

London has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 60% by 2025, as part of this commitment the Mayor has recently published a draft ‘London Climate Change Adaptation Strategy’. A number of the objectives of the Strategy can be achieved through ‘greening’ the city. Increasing trees and green spaces in cities will help to reduce the risk of overheating, will reduce flood risk by retaining rainfall and will help reduce noise and air pollution.

Across the country Planning Policy Guidance 17 (PPG17) requires local authorities to assess and audit open spaces in their area and states that parks and planning departments should work together to prepare a green space strategy setting out objectives but also resources and methods available to fulfill these.

Join a leading line up of speakers to determine future threats and impacts and mitigation strategies which cities can adopt.
Speakers include:

Tony Juniper former Director Friends of the Earth
Alex Nickson, Greater London Authority
Robert Shaw, Faber Maunsell
Peter Head, Arup
Tim Reeder, Environment Agency
Dusty Gedge, Livingroofs.org
Chair: Anthony Hudson, Hudson Architects

For further information and a full programme please visit the Waterfront website or contact Waterfront on 020 7787 1210.

November 17-18: Climate Change and the Green Sector: A Growing Interest, Ashville, NC, USA
Source: AGrowingInterest.com

Climate change has the potential to dramatically impact business and other public interests that rely on the health and well-being of plants. This important conference brought together climate experts and numerous business leaders to explore the climate's impact on the plant sector and how your business can adapt to potential changes. This one-and-a-half-day conference provided an important first step in building a critical information bridge between the climate science community and the numerous, diverse business sectors and public interests that rely on the health and well being of plants.

If you are in the landscape architecture, golf course design and management, conservation, horticulture, gardening, nursery management, arboreta, botanical gardens or public land management areas, you will benefit from this important event.

In addition, all participants are invited to join us in commemorating the completion of the U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN) with an evening program and reception on Sunday, November 16th from 6:00-8:00 PM at The Grove Park Inn.

The USCRN is a network of climate stations developed as part of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) initiative whose primary goal is to provide future, long-term, homogeneous observations of temperature and precipitation that can be coupled to long-term historical observations for the detection and attribution of present and future climate change. The USCRN has installed and commissioned all 114 sites, thus completing the design for the contiguous United States. The first two sites were placed in the Asheville, North Carolina area: one in the North Carolina Arboretum (Bierbaum Site) and the other at the North Carolina Horticultural Crops Research Center (Backlund Site). For more information about the USCRN program, please visit www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/uscrn. 

A tour of the North Carolina Arboretum, one of the nation's largest and most beautiful, was offered to all participants of the conference on Sunday, November 16 from 2:00-4:00 PM.

Publisher's Note:  I asked Michael Colgin, Office Manager/Executive Assistant, with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, one of the organizing groups, if green roofing would be specifically addressed, and here's Michael's response:

"The issue will be raised as a part of the North Carolina Arboretum Tour, as they have green roofing. Additionally, the conference is set up so that the working groups can address a number of topics of interest and concerns to the green sector. The idea of the conference is to encourage feedback from this sector by having a program where there is ample opportunity for feedback. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) wants to hear from each of the different parts of the green sectors; what are the concerns and what are their needs. It would be ideal if there were representatives there from the green roof arena that could raise the issues facing them. This is a great opportunity to build a bridge to the providers of the science and data that can help the green roof sector better prepare for the challenges from climate change, and raise awareness to your cause."

Visit the Climate Change and the Green Sector: A Growing Interest website for more info.

November 11: Sustainable Building Envelope Seminar: Sustainability Starts at the Top, Atlanta, GA, USA
Source: Tremco Inc.

From the roofing and sustainability experts at Tremco Incorporated: An AIA CEU accredited seminar series that defines the most successful innovations in Sustainable Building Envelope Technology. Hosted by Tremco Incorporated's Sustainable Technologies Group, the seminar was held on November 11, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead, GA from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Professionals who will benefit are:

Architects
Land Development Professionals
Sustainability & Environmental Mitigation Managers
Landscape Architects and Installation Professionals
Facility & Maintenance Managers
Government, Environmental & Development Policy Managers

Hear from these professionals, including Lunch with a Panel Discussion:

Mary Ann Uhlmann, Environmental Horticulturalist & Green Roof Specialist Tremco; Jim Lohmann, RRO, CDT, Tremco; and Linda Velazquez, Greenroof Designer & Publisher/Editor, Greenroofs.com.

Download the PDF here, and RSVP to Kelly Ospina at 1.800.628.7501 or Kospina@tremcoinc.com.

November 8: Introduction to Green Roofs, Sheffield, England, UK
Source: The Green Roof Centre

The Green Roof Centre - established by the University of Sheffield and Groundwork Sheffield working in partnership with the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities, is holding a series of one day greenroof training courses entitled "Introduction to Green Roofs."  The course will be held on the 8th of November, 2008 from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm at the ICOSS Building in Sheffield, UK (also on February 10, 2009).

Who should attend?
The course is aimed at anyone with an interest in green roofs and does not require any previous knowledge of the technology.

Content
Each day course consists of a series of presentations from experts in the field, followed by a mini-tour of green roofs across South Yorkshire, giving delegates an unique opportunity to see for themselves the range, diversity and potential of green roofs.

Cost
£225 + VAT This includes lunch and training notes.

If you have any questions please contact Anna Cooper, Green Roof Officer on 0114 263 6425 or email anna@thegreenroofcentre.co.uk.

Visit The Green Roof Centre website for booking and more info.

November 4: CitiesAlive! Toronto Launch Event and Workshop, Toronto, Canada
Source: Canadian Architect

This workshop was held from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 at the Toronto Botanical Garden located at 777 Lawrence Avenue East in Toronto. The event was of interest to architects and landscape architects, engineers, roofing professionals and contractors, policy makers, planners, policy makers, NGOs, academics and researchers interested in the field of Green Infrastructure (inclusive of green roofs, walls and urban greenery).

Through the workshop, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the City of Toronto are helping to build the culture of green infrastructure in Ontario, improving our communities and quality of life, and broadening public and political awareness of the multiple benefits of green roofs, green walls and urban forests as part of the built environment.

Learn about integrating natural systems and processes with site and structure from keynote speaker Paul Kephart, a renowned expert in ecological consulting and vegetated systems design. Hear the latest news and research about green infrastructure policy. Enjoy presentations on cutting-edge North American green infrastructure case studies, including the Vancouver Convention Centre, the Ottawa War Museum, Windsor school projects, Green Walls and more. Network with members of the Ontario chapter of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and other professionals in the field of Green Infrastructure. Be on hand for the official launch announcement of the World Green Infrastructure Network's inaugural Congress entitled CitiesAlive! 2009, taking place in Toronto in October 2009.

The registration fee was $199 for a delegate (limited to 150), $79 for a non-profit delegate (limited to 50), and a 10' x 8' exhibition booth costs $500 (limited to 10).

Participants seeking self reporting education credits may request certificates of attendance for submission to their professional association following the event.

Visit the Toronto Botanical Garden website.

November 3-5: Design-Build Conference & Expo, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Source: Design-Build Conference & Expo

The 2008 Design-Build Conference & Expo was held in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 3-5, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino & Convention Center. Sign-up today for the 2008 Show, and reserve the best space for your company and receive the lowest rates of the year, at least $200 lower than regular rates.  Check back later for updated information.

Visit the Design-Build Conference & Expo website.

November 3-5: Waterproof Membranes 2008, Cologne, Germany
Source: Applied Market Information

AMI organised the 2nd international industry conference on products, applications and trends in membranes: Waterproof Membranes 2008 took place from 3-5 November 2008 at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany. The conference features papers on European markets by Jon Nash, the United Arab Emirates by Water Seal Company LLC and the Russian market by NTC "Gidrol-Krovlja."

Waterproof membranes are key components for geoengineering projects and the focus is on construction and civil engineering applications: roofing membranes and geomembranes. On the first evening there will be a cocktail reception, followed by a 2-day programme of expert presentations. A small exhibition runs alongside the conference.

Waterproof Membranes 2008 provides an international forum for all companies involved in waterproofing membranes. This year there are presentations on markets for membranes in different geographic regions, membrane technology (from top manufacturers), applications, properties, and the role of membranes in energy and water conservation.

Visit the AMI conference website.
 

October 31: Call for Papers due for the 2009 Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards & Trade Show, Atlanta, GA, USA
Source: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is accepting submissions for papers and posters to be presented at the Seventh Annual International Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards and Trade Show on June 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2009 in Atlanta, GA.

Hosted by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the Conference will raise awareness of the many benefits of green roofs, share new research findings, provide information on the latest designs, implementation techniques and products, and broaden networks while working towards building more sustainable cities through green roof implementation.

Conference streams fall under Policy, Design and Case Studies, and Research. We are particularly interested in presentations that emphasize the themes of water management; urban heat island and air quality; and green space.

Abstract submissions are due by October 31st, 2008

Submission requirements: Completion of the call for papers submission form which includes a 300-word abstract and 50-word biography.

For more information or to download the submission form (.doc file), visit the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities website.

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October 31: Early Bird Exhibitor Discount due for the 2009 Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards & Trade Show, Atlanta GA, USA
Source: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is pleased to announce that registration for exhibitors for their 7th Annual Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards and Trade Show being held in Atlanta from June 3 – 5, 2009 is now available. Space is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. An early bird discount of $200/booth is available to those who register, and pay, before October 31, 2008.

Please complete the Registration Form (PDF) and fax back to us at 416-971-9844 as soon as possible to ensure that you receive the booth of your choice. Thanks for your continued support and participation.

Contact Jennifer Sprout, Vice President, Membership and Market Development, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities with any questions: Telephone: 416-971-4494 ext. 229 and e-mail: jsprout@greenroofs.org.

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October 22 and 29: City of Portland Ecoroof Technical Workshops, Portland, OR, USA
Source:  City of Portland

The city of Portland is offering a series of free technical workshops on ecoroof structure, design, construction and permitting.  In Spring 2008, BES offered a series of seminars on ecoroofs.  The response to the series was overwhelming!  Because there was so much interest in ecoroofs, we repeated the series in October.  There were two, full-day sessions on consecutive weeks:

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The seminars were held in the Portland Building auditorium, located on the 2nd floor of the Portland Building. The Portland Building address is 1120 SW 5th Ave., in downtown Portland.

If you are interested in attending future ecoroof seminar series, please contact Marjorie Brown at ecoroof@bes.ci.portland.or.us.  Please include your contact information or call 503.823.7119.

Visit the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services website. 

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October 28: Green roofs - Basic principles and design, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Source: CIRIA

These green roof sessions have been developed in partnership between CIRIA, the Green Roof consultancy and Livingroofs.org who are working together to deliver guidance on the implementation of green roofs, green walls and other biodiversity features. The training will enable delegates to efficiently plan, design and manage green roofs in accordance with best practice guidance and the relevant regulatory framework. Below are all of the dates:

9 October 2008, Bristol
28 October 2008, Belfast
25 November 2008, London
20 January 2009, Sheffield
17 February 2009, Glasgow

Register and visit the CIRIA training website.

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October 28: City of Portland Grant Application Packet Available, Portland, OR, USA
Source: Working Green for Clean Rivers City of Portland Newsletter

City of Portland to Offer Ecoroof Incentives:
The ecoroof grant program is part of the City of Portland's Grey to Green effort to accelerate the City's work to increase Portland's green stormwater management infrastructure, protect sensitive natural areas and improve habitat. The city currently has about nine acres of ecoroofs scattered among more than 90 buildings. The Grey to Green goal is to add 43 acres of new ecoroofs in five years.

The city will spend about $300,000 on grants in this fiscal year, and will make grant funds available over the next five years. The incentive grants will pay up to $5 per square foot for new ecoroof projects. Industrial, residential, commercial and mixed-use projects are eligible for the incentive program. The grant application packet was available on October 28, 2008 online at www.portlandonline.com/bes/ecoroof or by calling 503.823.7914.

Read about the Ecoroof Incentive Program here.

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October 15: GreenCities Florida Applications Due - Call for Papers, Orlando, FL, USA
Source: Green Cities

Calling all Leaders in Sustainable Education: GreenCities Florida is seeking the brightest minds and greatest innovators in the sustainability movement to share a rich educational experience with Floridian businesses and governmental agencies.  GreenCities Florida is the inaugural launch of the GreenCities event series. This event held March 10 - 12, 2009 in Orlando will create significant opportunities for building a green economy in Florida. This is not your usual conference; GreenCities offers interactive and collaborative workshops, nationally known experts in sustainability, best practices case studies, conversation café environments, a green jobs fair, and open space technology sessions. This event is designed to provide attendees with short and long-term steps towards sustainable practices, opportunities to network with like-minded peers, green tools and resources, and demonstration on how the “triple bottom line” provides for people, planet, and profit.

Business, government and community leaders are invited to apply to speak at this event. There is special interest in speakers who depart from the “didactic lecture model” and offer interaction, collaborative experiences with hands-on and real world simulation in their presentations.

To apply to speak at GreenCities Florida please visit the Call for Presenters Page. This website offers detailed information on the event and the types of presentations and speakers who will be selected.

Visit the GreenCities website.

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October 13: Pioneering Green Wall Researchers Wanted, Toronto, Canada
Source: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

The Green Walls Group (GWG), a Corporate Member sub-committee of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities – North America, Inc. (GRHC), a non-profit industry association, is pleased to announce the first green wall research grant in North America. The group was seeking requests for proposals for green wall research projects.

Update: The deadline for the RFP was extended to October 13, 2008 – 5pm EST 2008.  Application guidelines are available at www.greenroofs.org.

Related:
Green Wall Fund RFP of July 14, 2008 (PDF)
Green Wall Research Fund Budget Template (XLS)

Download the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Research Proposal PDF here.

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October 13: Call for Abstracts Due for the 2nd ISHS International Conference on Landscape and Urban Horticulture, Bologna, Italy
Source:  ISHS International Conference

The Organizing and Scientific Committees of the 2nd ISHS International Conference on Landscape and Urban Horticulture cordially invite you in Bologna, Italy, from June 9 to 13, 2009. Call for Abstracts. Scientific contributions are welcome, concerning a wide range of topics: from ecophysiology and plant management in urban environment, through psychological and social aspects of gardening, plant use and garden design - including transversal views where landscape architecture meets functional horticultural management in the cities – to urban agriculture. Contributions dealing with innovative solutions for garden design and management, including ecological engineering and technologies, are warmly welcome.

Abstracts should be submitted electronically only, to dista.luh2009@unibo.it before October 13th, 2008

An abstract in English of about 300 words should be presented on a single A4 page (File Word - .doc) .

Please structure the abstract as follows:

§ Topic

1. Plants in historical gardens.
2. Urban landscape horticulture.
3. Green roofs, vertical gardens and living walls.
4. Interior landscape.
5. Ecophysiology and vegetation management in urban environment.
6. Food and flowers production in/for the cities.
7. Social and psychological role of horticulture in the urban environment.
8. Urban horticulture meets architecture.

§ Title

§ Author (s) and affiliation

§ Corresponding author’s address

§ Text of abstract

§ Presentation: oral or poster

Visit the Conference website.

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October 11: Arlington Garden Club Green Roof Workshop, Arlington, WA, USA.
Source: HeraldNet

The Arlington Garden Club is offering a series of Turn Your Thumb Green workshops starting this fall. All are open to the public. The workshops are free to club members and $3 each for everybody else. They’re held 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the second Saturday of the month at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club, 18513 59th Ave. NE, Arlington.

Oct. 11: Patrick Carey of Hadj Design spoke on green roofs. Carey trains builders, landscape architects as well other building professionals on the subject of green roofs.  The intended audience is do-it-yourselfers who are taking on small residential projects.  Publisher's Note:  And Patrick is the Architecture Editor here on Greenroofs.com; he writes the occassional column "A View from the Sky Trenches."


Visit the Arlington Garden Club website.

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October 9: Charlotte Energy Symposium: How Valuable is Your Roof?, Charlotte, NC, USA
Source: Tecta America

Tecta America presented the Fall Energy Symposium: How Valuable is Your Roof? Co-sponsored by Sun Net Zero, Orion Energy Systems, and Advanced Green Technologies, it will be held on Thursday, October 9 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, 820 Hawfield Road, Charlotte, NC 28214, 704.391.3900.

Learn From the Experts
Please join Tecta America as we bring together leaders from the energy, environmental and roofing industries to show you how to get more from your roofing investment. Learn how to lower your energy consumption and achieve significant cost savings, all while benefiting the environment.  Earn four AIA/CES Learning Credits by attending.

Featured Speaker: Michael J. Potts
Executive Vice President, Orion Energy Systems

Ted Middleton
Co-Founder, COO, Sun Net Zero, LLC

Michael Hannah
Director of Multistate Tax Services, Pricewaterhousecoopers

Angie Durhman
Green Roof Project Manager, Tecta America Corp.

Mark Gaulin
COO, Tecta America Corp.

Seminar Topics

Green roofs
Design, installation and a green roof's impact on the bottom line

Solar
Financing considerations: buy, lease and Power Purchase Agreement

Daylighting
Harness the power of natural light and watch your energy bills drop

Other topics will cover energy and the environment, green trends, North Carolina Tax Incentives, and Vegetated Roofing: Benefits to Bottom Line, and much more.  In addition to earning four AIA/CES Learning Credits, attendees will learn how to lower their energy consumption and achieve significant cost savings, all while benefiting the environment. Space is limited.

$95 includes seminar, breakfast and lunch;
$70 for BOMA, AIA and USGBC members - contact Margaret Collins at 847.581.3868 to obtain discount code.

Register and visit the Tecta America website to find the complete agenda, seminar topics, presenter bios and more.

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October 9: Green roofs - Basic principles and design, Bristol, England
Source: CIRIA

These green roof sessions have been developed in partnership between CIRIA, the Green Roof consultancy and Livingroofs.org who are working together to deliver guidance on the implementation of green roofs, green walls and other biodiversity features. The training will enable delegates to efficiently plan, design and manage green roofs in accordance with best practice guidance and the relevant regulatory framework. Below are all of the dates:

9 October 2008, Bristol
28 October 2008, Belfast
25 November 2008, London
20 January 2009, Sheffield
17 February 2009, Glasgow

Register and visit the CIRIA training website.

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October 3-7: ASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Source: ASLA

The ASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 3-7, 2008 at
the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  Join the industry's largest professional event at the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) 2008 Annual Meeting and EXPO.  Featuring the world's leading experts in landscape architecture, the meeting includes over 120 sessions and 450 exhibitors.  Connect with authorities leading the next generation of sustainable design and find out how the landscape architecture profession melds environmental, social, and economic health through green infrastructure.

Visit the ASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO website.

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October 4-5: 2008 Green Buildings Open House & Tour, Tompkins, Tioga and Schuyler Counties, NY, USA
Source: Ithaca Journal

Don't miss this unique opportunity to see first hand renewable energy and green building practices at work in our area. Green building involves designing, constructing or renovating homes, schools, workplaces and other structures for high performance, human health and environmental sustainability. This year's Green Building Open House features 27 homes in Tompkins, Tioga and Schuyler Counties. Homeowners and/or green building professionals will be on site to answer questions and describe their green building features - such as energy efficient appliances, passive solar design, photovoltaics, wind power, salvaged and non-toxic building materials, local lumber, strawbale construction and more.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County and the Ithaca Green Building Alliance are local organizers for this annual event held by the Northeastern Sustainable Energy Association in conjunction with the American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour. Our local 2008 Tour has expanded to two days, with half of the homes open on Saturday, and half on Sunday. Visitors may view participating sites between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Living roofs on Saturday Oct. 4 only:
112 Lansingville Road, Lansing
Mole Meadow, Ithaca (guided tours only)

Living roofs on Sunday Oct. 5 only:
Ithaca Children’s Garden “Troll House”, 701 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca
5040 Williamee Road, Trumansburg
Ithaca College/Park Center (Rt. 96B)

Local sites, photos, descriptions and maps of the tour sites are in the 2008 Green Building Open House Guide (12,518K PDF) which is also available in hardcopy on 100% recycled paper for $1 suggested donation at Tompkins County Cooperative Extension after 8/25/08. These sites -- and others that have registered after the 2008 Guide was printed, are listed on the NESEA website at http://www.nesea.org/.

Visit the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County website. 

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October 4-5: openhousenewyork Weekend, New York, NY, USA
Source: openhousenewyork

openhousenewyork hosts year-round educational programs celebrating New York City’s built-environment, culminating in America’s largest architecture and design event, the Annual openhousenewyork Weekend.  The 6th Annual openhousenewyork Weekend was held on October 4 & 5, 2008 in New York, New York, and another great year of Focus on Architecture!  Area greenroofs and roof gardens were expected to be included, as have been in the past.  Check back later for updated information.

Visit the openhousenewyork Weekend website. 

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October 1-3: GreenXchange Xpo, Los Angeles, CA, USA

GreenXchange Xpo took place on October 1-3, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. Daily and globally, business, governments and environmental NGOs are creating revolutionary green technology partnerships around the concepts of climate change and sustainability. The biggest barrier to entry to this new market phenomenon is a practical understanding of its emerging players, technologies and dynamics - how your organization best connects all the green dots and learns from and shares best practices.

The GreenXchange Xpo will be the multi-sector and cross-disciplinary exhibition marketplace allowing attendees to discover their complete portfolio of green solutions and market opportunities under one roof. The GreenXchange Xpo will encompass the GreenXchange Global Marketplace Conference and the global exhibition marketplace for policy shapers, thought leaders and environmental innovators to see first hand all the latest green technologies and solutions.

Marketplace Areas on the Expo Floor Included:
» Transportation Showcase
» Sustainable Building, Design and Development Showcase
» Renewable Energy Showcase
» Clean Tech Showcase
» International and Investment Showcase

Conference Themes Included:
» Non-Renewable Energy
» Renewable Energy
» Air, Water and Waste
» Sustainable Building & Design
» Clean Tech, IT, Transport & Infrastructure
» Capitalizing Green Tech
» Climate Change Policy

Visit the GreenXchange Xpo website.

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Note Date Change!  October 1-3: World Energy Engineering Congress, Washington, D.C., USA
Source: RenewableEnergyAccess.com

New Dates - WEEC CONFERENCE:
OCTOBER 1-3, 2008 (previously October 8-10)

New dates - WEEC EXHIBITS:
OCTOBER 1-2, 2008 (previously October 8-9)

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) presented the WORLD ENERGY ENGINEERING CONGRESS (WEEC) on October 1-3, 2008 in Washington, D.C. for 2008 — and to an extraordinary new venue — the Gaylord National Convention Center on the Potomac. Now in its 31st year, the WEEC is well-recognized as the most important energy event of national scope for end users and energy professional in all areas of the energy field. It is the one truly comprehensive forum where you can fully assess the "big picture" – and see exactly how the economic and market forces, new technologies, regulatory developments and industry trends all merge to shape your critical decisions on your organization's energy and economic future.

The energy event of national scope for end users and energy professionals in the energy field. Featuring large conferences, seminars, and comprehensive exposition of the market's most promising new technologies, with special free technology workshops. WEEC includes FEMWorks 2008, a comprehensive series of workshops for federal energy managers. GreenStreet offers expert presentations and showcases the very latest environmentally friendly, green energy related products and services. The WEEC features a large, multi-track conference agenda, a full line-up of seminars on a variety of current topics and a comprehensive exposition of the market's most promising new technologies.

The WEEC conference and expo target the complete spectrum of technologies and services of greatest importance to our delegates in attendance, including, but not limited to:

Renewable and alternative energy
Combined heat & power / cogeneration / distributed generation
Integrated building automation & energy management
Lighting efficiency
HVAC systems and controls
Thermal storage and load management
Boilers and combustion controls
Geoexchange technologies
Solar and fuel cell technologies
Applications specific to federal energy management programs
Energy services and project financing

Visit the World Energy Engineering Congress website.

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September 28-October 1: October 2008 Committee Week, Miami Beach, FL, USA
Source: ASTM

The October ASTM 2008 Committee Week for the E06 Performance of Buildings (which includes the Green Roof Task Force) was held at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida on Sunday September 28 - Wednesday October 1, 2008.  Open to the public.

Read the Greenroofs.com former ASTM Editor, Ralph Velasquez, ASTM Updates column here.  (Now he's the Sustainable Roofing Technologies Editor).

Visit the ASTM website.

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September 28: Boston GreenFest 2008, Boston, MA, USA - Postponed 'til Sunday, September 28 due to bad weather!
Source: Karen L. Weber

Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. looks forward to welcoming you to Boston GreenFest 2008. As supposed informed people, we remain in denial about human impact on our environment and the climate chaos that is occurring across our globe. In order to help “wake us up” to these realities, as well as ways to start being proactive about global warming – far more than changing a light bulb or inflating our tires, a group of people under the guiding force of the Foundation for a Green Future, Inc., decided to organize Boston GreenFest 2008 at Boston City Hall Plaza on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26-27 - Postponed 'til Sunday, September 28.

The premise of this festival is based on the need to bring every-one from across our neighborhoods to City Hall Plaza to work together to solve the global warming problem. And we can begin in so many ways – doing neighborhood projects including rainwater recovery, organic raised bed gardens, green roofs, beekeeping, solar and wind and the list goes on. Boston GreenFest 2008 is an entertaining education festival celebrating the many ways we can create a better world through greening our neighborhoods, our communities and the entire Boston area.

We will display and demonstrate many fun ways people can save energy and save money with products and systems available today. Movies, music, art exhibits, virtual interactive experiences, youthTalks and much more...

Sponsors and exhibitors will have the ability to gain direct contact with Boston area citizens and political leaders. They will also benefit from press coverage of this festival in which we meet the challenge of global climate change together.

Greenroofs.com is very pleased to be a Sponsor!  Visit the Boston GreenFest 2008 website.

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September 25-27: West Coast Green, San Francisco, CA, USA
Source: West Coast Green

West Coast Green 2008 was held on September 25-27, 2008 at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, California.  West Coast Green gave the residential green building market the event had been wanting: a full scale 3-day conference and expo.  While new green events emerge every year, West Coast Green represents the largest milestone yet in the residential green building movement. Never before has a conference and expo provided access to such comprehensive state-of-the-art resources, impactful presentations, and rewarding opportunities for business development in the residential green building field.

West Coast Green, the premier conference and expo on green innovation, hosted over 400 exhibits, advanced interactive educational tracks and dynamic networking events for business professionals from across the country.

Nobel Laureate Al Gore to Keynote West Coast Green 2008
World’s most influential environmental spokesman to address architects, builders, innovators, and policy-makers at nation’s premier green building and business conference on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 9:30 am.  Read more.

Pre-Conference in-depth workshops
September 24, 2008

Conference and Expo for Business and Trade Professionals
September 25-27, 2008

Expo open to homeowners
September 27, 2008

"At present, two sessions will talk about green roofs.
One is on the World of Water with Josiah Cain (formerly from Rana Creek). It will look at the global problem and touch on solutions. The second is Living Systems Design - Integrating Water Issues into the Built Environment. Paul Kephart of Rana Creek will be speaking - including Green Roof Design by Bry Sarte from Sherwood Engineering.

The opportunity to talk about Green Roofs will also be made available in one of our Table Topic lunch time sessions."

Advance registration was underway through July 31 at www.westcoastgreen.com/register.

Visit the West Coast Green website.

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September 18: "Green Roofing — How Effective is It?", Tulsa, OK, USA
Source: Tulsa World

Green roofing subject of meeting: The Tulsa chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council met Sept. 18 at McNellie's Public House, 409 E. First St, Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The free event began with a social period at 6 p.m., followed with a presentation, "Green Roofing — How Effective is It?" by Clifford Johnson with Empire Roofing and Insulation, and Alan Roark with Roark Landscaping.

Johnson and Roark discussed the pitfalls of such a project, the effectiveness of a green roof and the ability to do it in Tulsa. Tulsa Community College is planning to establish a green roof on a new building currently under construction.

For more information, e-mail Lorrie Hoefling at tulsausgbc@gmail.com.

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September 17-18: World Green Roof Congress, London, England, UK
Source: Livingroofs.org

CIRIA in partnership with Livingroofs.org is pleased to announce the 2008 World Green Roof Congress, held in London on the 17-18th of September.  This was the first event of it kind to showcase green roofs in the UK.  The normally biannual World Green Roof Congress brings together leading green roof experts providing a platform for the latest research, policy initiatives and practical case studies.  This exciting and respected Congress will drive the uptake and implementation of green roofs, provide a greater level of understanding of their benefits and stimulate innovation: shifting the perception of green roofs from the quirky to the main stream and demonstrate the business case.

The engaging two day programme with over ten countries represented included:

Day 1: Setting the scene with a series of inspiring key note presentations highlighting drivers and achievements, both in the UK and overseas. This was supported by practical overviews of green roof implementation, demonstrating their application and benefits.

Day 2: Providing two workstreams allowing delegates to understand the evidence base supporting green roof performance and benefits as well as the lifecycle of green roof implementation. The Congress highlighted latest innovations, research and practice to support the effective delivery of green roofs.

Visit www.worldgreenroofcongress.com.

The Congress in 2008
The Congress in Basle 2005 attracted around 400 delegates, the 2008 Congress in London was of interest to a wide range of disciplines from a variety of sectors and countries. The Congress was a two-day conference, with inspiring presentations, exhibitions, a conference reception, and the potential for a ‘green roof safari’ trip around London, and workshops to support the sharing of experience, knowledge and facilitating the delivery of green roofs in the built environment.

Conference
The two day conference discussed the challenges and opportunities faced when implementing green roofs. It focused on the contribution that green roofs can make to sustainable urban regeneration, climate change adaptation, sustainable storm water management as well as improvements to local biodiversity and quality of life within cities. The conference highlighted latest innovations and research to support the effective promotion and delivery of green roof solutions as well as demonstrated examples of good practice from the UK and overseas.

Field trips
Local field trips were organised to demonstrate what has already been achieved in and around London. This provided an opportunity to see how green roofs contribute to sustainable development and green buildings.

Workshops
These brought together leading academics, policy experts and practitioners in green buildings to discuss options and approaches for progressing the green roof agenda.

Who Should Get Involved?
The 2008 World Congress was of interest to a wide range of professionals with an interest in sustainable construction and regeneration. Furthermore it was of interest to policy makers.

Read Publisher Linda Velazquez's attendance and visit in the Sky Gardens Blog here.

Visit the World Green Roof Congress website.

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September 12: Eco-Roof Lunch and Learn, Portland, OR, USA
Source: The Oregonian

Lunch and learn: Portland Bureau of Development Services hosted a brown-bag presentation and discussion session about the benefits of installing eco-roofs, including a definition of eco-roofs and how they benefit homeowners and the environment and how to get permits for and install the roofs.

Free, noon to 1 p.m.; 1900 S.W. Fourth Ave., Room 2500-A, Portland, Oregon.

For more information call: 503. 823.1109 or visit www.portlandonline.com/bds.

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September 2: Introduction to Green Roofs, Sheffield, England, UK
Source: The Green Roof Centre

The Green Roof Centre - established by the University of Sheffield and Groundwork Sheffield working in partnership with the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities, is holding a series of one day greenroof training courses entitled "Introduction to Green Roofs."  The course will be held on the 2nd of September, 2008 from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm at the ICOSS Building in Sheffield, UK (also on November 8, 2008 and February 10, 2009).

Who should attend?
The course is aimed at anyone with an interest in green roofs and does not require any previous knowledge of the technology.

Content
Each day course consists of a series of presentations from experts in the field, followed by a mini-tour of green roofs across South Yorkshire, giving delegates an unique opportunity to see for themselves the range, diversity and potential of green roofs.

Cost
£225 + VAT This includes lunch and training notes.

If you have any questions please contact Anna Cooper, Green Roof Officer on 0114 263 6425 or email anna@thegreenroofcentre.co.uk.

Visit The Green Roof Centre website for booking and more info.

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August 21-22: International Sustainability Conference 2008, Basel, Switzerland

The 2nd International Sustainability Conference "Creating values for Sustainable Development" was held on 21-22 August 2008, in Basel, Switzerland.  Following the outstanding success of the 1st International Sustainability Conference ISC 2005 in Basel, the organisers – the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland and the University of Basel – organised a follow-up conference. The theme of this 2nd International Sustainability Conference was "Creating Values for Sustainable Development". From a socio-economic perspective we take this to be one of the major tasks and challenges with regard to the expected societal transformation processes toward sustainability.

The ISC 2008 provides a platform for both interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary oriented social scientists working in the field of sustainable development. The conference is committed to promoting dialogue, especially among economists and other social scientists. Moreover, the conference aims to act as a meeting point for committed individuals from the political, corporate and academic worlds as well as for representatives from civil society. The organization committee encourages scientists, managers as well as decision makers from various disciplines to attend the International Sustainability Conference 2008 and present the outcomes of their research and/or case studies in line with the session themes.

We are therefore delighted to invite you to attend the ISC 2008 in Basel. We look forward to offering researchers a platform for presenting papers and for exchanging and critically discussing new knowledge stemming from socio-economic oriented research on practical and theoretical issues in the domain of sustainable development.

Visit the International Sustainability Conference 2008 website. 

July 24-26: Singapore Garden Festival Expo 2008, Singapore
Source: Prof. Dr. Manfred Köhler

Visit Singapore Garden Festival Expo 2008, The Premier International Garden & Flower Show in the Tropics. SGF Expo is organised as part of the Singapore Garden Festival (SGF). In Singapore, the strong commitment by the government to further green up the island to create a City in a Garden has created unprecedented opportunities for innovation. Several mega projects, like the Gardens by the Bay, two multi-billion dollar Integrated Resorts, and a plan to transform the riverscape in Singapore for recreation and water sustainability all throw out vast opportunities for the adoption of new ideas and technologies.

“Changing Landscapes, Global Opportunities” is chosen as the theme of the inaugural Singapore Garden Festival Expo (SGF Expo) to create a platform for the landscape and horticulture industry to share the latest ideas and technologies and explore business opportunities in Singapore and Asia. Organised as an integral part of the Singapore Garden Festival, the SGF Expo has two components. The first is a conference for leading practitioners to share best practices and provide insights into emerging markets and trends driving the landscape and horticulture industry in Asia. The second component is a trade show to bring together buyers and suppliers of landscape and horticultural products and services.

As the premier tropical Garden City and a key player in the advancement of knowledge in urban greenery in the region, Singapore is proud to host SGF Expo. We are confident that this event will allow international participants to leverage on Singapore’s status as a regional center for finance, trade and transportation to seek market opportunities and trade links in the region.

The SGF 2008 will showcase vibrant masterpieces from the world’s top award-winning garden and floral designers under one roof! This “must-see” horticultural event will feature a small focus on roof gardens as well as:

• Landscape and Fantasy Gardens
Creations by local designers and top award-winning garden designers from around the world.

• Floral Windows to the World
Colourful and vibrant cut-flower displays and floral masterpieces with stunning set design and lighting by international floral designers.

• Singapore Orchid Show
Delightful showcase of Southeast Asia’s rich and diverse heritage of orchids.

• Garden Fiesta
Host of educational, recreational and entertainment activities catering to the public, families, serious gardeners as well as hobbyists.

• Vibrant MarketPlace
Wide array of plants, gardening and landscape products and services, and arts & crafts.

Visit the Singapore Garden Festival Expo 2008 website.

July 8: Summer Energy Symposium: How Valuable is Your Roof? Florham Park, NJ, USA
Source: Tecta America

Tecta America presented: Spring Energy Symposium: How Valuable is Your Roof? Co-sponsored by Ecostream and Orion Energy Systems, the symposium was held on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. ­ 2:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Park Hotel, 175 Park Avenue, Florham Park, NJ 07932; 800.321.6000.

Learn From the Experts
Please join Tecta America as we bring together leaders from the energy, environmental and roofing industries to show you how to get more from your roofing investment. Learn how to lower your energy consumption and achieve significant cost savings, all while benefiting the environment.

Earn four AIA/CES Learning Credits by attending.

Featured Speaker: Michael J. Potts
Executive Vice President, Orion Energy Systems

Seminar Topics

Green roofs
Design, installation and a green roof's impact on the bottom line

Solar
Financing considerations: buy, lease and Power Purchase Agreement

Daylighting
Harness the power of natural light and watch your energy bills drop

Other topics will cover energy and the environment, green trends and much more.

$95 includes seminar, breakfast and lunch $70 for BOMA members.  Register at www.tectaamerica.com and find the complete agenda, seminar topics, presenter bios and more.  Space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon.

Visit the Tecta America website.

June 30-July 3: IFLA 2008 World Congress, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
Source: International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)

Transforming with Water was the theme of the 2008 World Congress of the International Federation of Landscape Architects. This 45th IFLA World Congress was held in the Netherlands from June 30 to July 3, 2008, in conjunction with the Apeldoorn Landscape Architecture Triennale, which hosts various other cutting-edge landscape events, such as the European Summer School, A Wider View on Cultural Landscape Challenges in Europe, the Conference Landscape and Leisure, and various exhibitions on garden history and landscape architecture. Landscape architects and professionals from all over the world were invited to join the 2008 IFLA Congress and share knowledge and ideas on the challenges and possibilities that we face when it comes to Transforming with Water.

The three days of the congress covered the theme in full breadth and depth. Each day had its own central theme to focus the activities of the day. The program offered a mix of keynote speeches, presentations, debates, excursions, workshops, executive lectures, an interactive forum, and social events. All participants picked their choice to gain maximum benefit from the rich variety of the contents offered. But everybody shared time together at the beginning and the end of the day, to provide every opportunity for meeting and exchanging ideas.

The primary focus of the congress is to facilitate a full discussion on the possibilities to design with water, whether not enough or on the contrary too much. Through the juxtaposition of water as either friend or foe the debate is stretched to facilitate the discovery of new ways to live together with water's transforming power. With excursions and on-site lectures you can visit the Dutch landscape, see the struggle of trial and error, and the - at times - successful dialogue with nature that was achieved. The indoor lecture sessions are reserved to hear about experiences from other parts of the world and reflect in a global perspective on wisdom, experience, and universally sound knowledge when it comes to Transforming with Water.

Visit the IFLA 2008 World Congress website.

June 22-24: Greening The Heartland, St. Louis, MO, USA
Source: AIA

Greening the Heartland is the premier annual conference on green building and sustainability programs in the Midwest. Whether you’re interested in greening your town, your business operations, your college campus or your building, you are invited to participate. We expect more than 3,000 conference attendees to gather in St. Louis, Missouri, including experts from the building trades, beginning practitioners, government officials, policy makers, business representatives and other sustainability advocates.

This regional U.S. Green Building Council conference will promote sustainable design and construction strategies for the built environment by encouraging joint leadership by the private and public sectors. The conference will highlight the latest in green building techniques that achieve energy and operational efficiencies, apply responsible construction and demolition practices, and aim for carbon neutrality. It will also demonstrate how green buildings promote the “triple bottom line” of profitability, people, and the environment – without compromising resources for future generations.

The four content tracks chosen for this year's conference — Corporate, Educational, Green Communities and Government — will appeal to a broad audience. We will have sessions on state-of-the-art energy technologies and new construction innovations, discussions on public policy issues, case histories on how to create more livable communities, tours of green buildings, as well as a number of professional training workshops for LEED certification. And our line-up of master speakers, presenters and panelists will be second to none, featuring professionals and innovators from across the country.

Don’t miss out on this important conference. Join us at Greening the Heartland 2008.

Publisher's Note:  Green Roof Blocks is a Gold Sponsor.

Visit the Greening The Heartland website.

June 20: Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) RFP Deadline, USA
Source: Water Online Press Release

The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) requested proposals for research that would provide education, outreach, and training on decentralized stormwater management techniques to critical target audiences. WERF will provide $112,000 for the development of innovative tools and training that lead to greater awareness, understanding, and use of decentralized stormwater management techniques; appropriate implementation for stormwater management; improved water quality; energy savings; and other benefits (e.g. aesthetics).

Decentralized approaches manage stormwater at the source (site level) using multiple techniques to control the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff. These methods include rain gardens, porous pavement, cisterns, vegetated roofs, and many other practices. Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. (EDT), June 20, 2008.

Visit WERF's Open RFPs page for more information.

June 19-20: Green Roofs for Australia Conference, Brisbane, Australia
Source: Geoff Wilson

The second Green Roofs for Australia Conference was held in Brisbane, Australia on June 19 and 20, 2008.  Contact Geoff Wilson, President of Green Roofs for Australia, for more information.

Visit the Green Roofs for Australia website.

June 14-September 14: Expo Zaragoza 2008, Zaragoza, Spain
Source: The International Green Roof Association (IGRA) "Green Roofs News," Spring 2008

The Government of Spain organized an international exposition and promotional event from June 14 to September 14, 2008 on Water and Sustainable Development in Zaragoza. The Water Expo gives countries and international and non-governmental organisations, an opportunity to demonstrate innovations in the water business, as well as in environmental, technological, and research solutions. Over one hundred countries and organisations participated at Expo 2008.

At the Expo, a Water Tribune addressed scientific, technical, social, economic, institutional, legal and environmental issues for the purpose of sharing knowledge, lessons learned and presenting good practices. The Water Tribune highlighted water resources experiences from countries and regions and key developments in water and sustainable development. Ten themes were discussed at the water tribune throughout the duration of the Expo.

The Expo Zaragoza 2008 was held in the fifth largest Spanish city, and is all about ‘Water and Sustainable Development.’ For Green Roof enthusiasts the Expo in Zaragoza delivered a very special attraction.  The participants pavilion (61,667 m²) is covered by a green roof which is accessible for visitors and offers wonderful views over the landscape and the Ebro River.

Visit the Expo Zaragoza 2008 website.
 

June 11-12: Canada Green Building Council National Summit "Shifting into the Mainstream," Toronto, Canada
Source: Canada Green Building Council National Summit

As the leading national authority on green buildings, the CaGBC invites you to its first national summit in Toronto, June 11-12, 2008. The inaugural National Summit was the largest indoor green building event in Canada and was zero-waste! This historic event brought together the entire green building industry, with some 100 delegates, 150 exhibitors, and over 50 speakers from all across Canada. Speakers included Dr. David Suzuki and Premier Campbell.

Shifting Into the Mainstream is where building industry decision makers will learn about how LEED® Canada is evolving from one-time certification to a life-cycle building performance management system for any type of building, new and existing.

LEED® Canada for Existing Buildings will be launched in 2009 and offer online assessment, action planning and performance verification as well as a certification process that is fast, economical and easy to access. This further development of LEED in Canada will allow for the massive scaling up necessary to meet the CaGBC goal of 100,000 buildings and 1 million homes certified by 2015, with 50% reduction in energy and water use, and 50 Megatonnes of GHG emission reductions.

Delegates will get first-hand reports from the national pilot projects involving K-12 schools, commercial offices and public administration buildings. This is the first round of pilots conducted with industry to test and enhance the new LEED rating system and the distributed delivery model, and will be followed over the next three years by similar projects to address all major building types.

If you’re committed to green buildings, you’ll want to join us.
Contact: Rose Swagemakers
Phone: 416.364.0050 x 306
Email: rose@innovolve.com

Visit the Canada Green Building Council National Summit website.

May 29 (Sold Out) and June 17: Introduction to Green Roofs, Sheffield, England, UK
Source: The Green Roof Centre

The Green Roof Centre - established by the University of Sheffield and Groundwork Sheffield working in partnership with the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities, held a one day greenroof training course entitled "Introduction to Green Roofs" on the 29th of May, 2008 from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm at the ICOSS Building in Sheffield, UK.

Who should attend?
The course is aimed at anyone with an interest in green roofs and does not require any previous knowledge of the technology.

Provisional Agenda:
• Introduction and History of Green
Roofs
• Green Roof Construction
• Benefits
• Barriers to implementation
• Case studies and site visit
• Quotes and tendering
• Maintenance

Cost: £150 + VAT per person

Download the Green Roof Centre Course Flyer, and the Booking Form for more info.

Visit The Green Roof Centre website.

April 29, May 6, May 13, May 21, June 4 (Sold Out): City of Portland Ecoroof Technical Workshops - FULL!*
Source: OregonLive.com

The city of Portland is offering a series of free technical workshops on ecoroof structure, design, construction and permitting.  Each seminar will be held 8:30 a.m. to noon in the auditorium on the second floor of the Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Ave., Portland, Oregon.

Scheduled topics include:

Ecroofs: Latest Data, Information and Resources, Tuesday, April 29;

Ecoroofs: Structure and Design, Tuesday, May 6;

Ecoroofs: Membrane and Waterproofing, Tuesday, May 13.

Ecoroofs: Plants, Growing Media, and Irrigation, Wednesday, May 21.

Ecoroofs: Permitting, Construction, and Operation and Maintenance, Wednesday, June 4.

All seminars are free. Advance registration is required. Call 823.502.7213 or e-mail sandih@bes.ci.portland.or.us. Leave your name, address, phone and e-mail information.

* Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Update:  "Our spring workshops filled up very quickly and we can no longer take reservations for them. We are in the process of scheduling another series this fall and we are accepting names of people who want us to notify them when those sessions are scheduled. They can contact Sandi at sandih@bes.ci.portland.or.us or 503.823.7213 if they would like to be placed on that list."

Seminar participants received certificates of completion.

June 4: DEC Accepting Applications for Urban Forestry Projects Deadline, New York State, USA
Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Press Release

Applications were accepted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for approximately $900,000 to support urban forestry projects across the state (Commissioner Pete Grannis).  DEC was seeking proposals for Urban and Community Forestry projects that will enhance New York's urban landscapes with healthy trees and provide environmental, health, and economic benefits.

Grants were available to municipalities, public benefit corporations, public authorities, school districts and not-for-profit organizations that have a public ownership interest in the property or are acting on behalf of a public property owner, and will range from $2,500 to $75,000, depending on municipal population, with a 50/50 match requirement. Eligible projects include green infrastructure projects including greenroofs and rain gardens.

Deadline is June 4, 2008.

Visit the DEC website.

May 23-25: EcoBuilding 2008 International Meeting for Architecture and Technologies for Sustainable Construction, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The EcoBuilding 2008 International Meeting for Architecture and Technologies for Sustainable Construction was  held on May 23 - 25, 2008 at the Paulista University - Unip - Campus Indianópolis, Rua Dr Bacelar, 1212 - Vila Clementina, in São Paulo - SP - Brazil.  The conference seeks to explore national and international sustainable construction topics ranging from basic concepts to the most advanced contemporary practices of eco-design, through the use of sustainable materials and building technologies, renewable sources of energy, water conservation, as well as case studies, legislation and market trends on sustainable construction.

Topics
Bioclimatic design by passive systems
Design & technology for energy efficiency and conservation
Renewable sources of energy
Innovative building materials and technologies to sustainable construction
Sustainable building tools and methods
Water conservation and re-use
Building evaluation and certification
Public Policies and incentives to sustainable construction
Material selection and life cycle assessment

Visit the EcoBuilding 2008 International Meeting for Architecture and Technologies for Sustainable Construction website.
 

May 21-24: Urban Biodiversity & Design Conference, Erfurt, Germany
Source: Prof. Dr. Manfred Köhler

We would like to warmly invite you to the cultural heart of Germany for the 3rd Conference of the Competence Network Urban Ecology. Our international conference “Urban Biodiversity and Design” will summarise for the first time in a global context current scientific and practical approaches of implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in urban areas. The case for urban biodiversity:

Distinctive characteristics of urban ecosystems
Centres of evolution and adaptation (e. g. important in the context of climate change)
Complex hotspots and melting pots for biodiversity
The only biodiversity which many people experience
Contributing to the quality of life in an increasingly urban global society - 2007 the first time 50 % of the world population is living in cities.

Our conference based in the neighbouring historic cities of Erfurt and Weimar will draw upon the legacy heritage of over 1000 years of urban settlement as well as considering the challenges of the worlds more recent and faster growing cities. The conference will be attractive to all disciplines involved in research, planning, design and management of the green urban environment including biologists, ecologists, landscape architects and planners, horticulturists, urban designers and local government administrators.

Our conference will support the Curitiba Declaration 2007 “Cities and Biodiversity” and contribute to the discussions on taking forward “Local Action for Biodiversity” in urban areas. Together with the "Mayors Conference-Local Action for Biodiversity " in Bonn 26. - 28. May 2008 the conference will promote greater awareness of the important role of our towns and cities at the 9th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9) in Bonn.

One track is planned for greenroofs and facades.

Visit the Urban Biodiversity & Design Conference website.

May 22: “Going Green: Green Rooftops in New York City,” Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
Source: Lawn & Landscape Magazine

Columbia University’s graduate program in Landscape Design will offer a free public program, “Going Green: Green Rooftops in New York City,” a discussion of green roofs, at 6:30 p.m. May 22. Green roofs offer many benefits in urban areas, from aesthetic to environmental to practical. They help minimize the effects of pollution, reduce the urban heat island effect, improve energy efficiency, and provide a natural oasis in the urban jungle.

Speakers are William F. Foley and Amy Norquist. William Foley, CSI, CCPR, has been directly involved with green roof specification, consulting, installation assistance, and project oversight for five years. Most recently, Foley has taken a new position as NE sustainable technologies specialist with Tremco, Inc. Roofing Division. His responsibilities include green roofing systems, photovoltaic systems, and reflective roof system alternatives. In addition, Foley has been an instructor for "Green Roofs for Healthy Cities," teaching classes across the U.S.

Amy Norquist is a green building entrepreneur, specializing in the design and installation of green roofs and living walls. Her company, Greensulate, is based in New York City and has offices on Long Island and on the west coast. Norquist has over 20 years of experience in environmental conservation and protection and has worked with green buildings for over five years. Greensulate’s clients range from large corporations to the individual brownstone owner or co-op building.

The free discussion will take place in Room 501, Schermerhorn Hall at Columbia University (entrance at 116th Street and Broadway or Amsterdam). To register for the talk and to find more about the Master of Science in Landscape Design, go to www.ce.columbia.edu/landscape.

Visit Columbia University's Master of Science in Landscape Design Events website and their Going Green: Green Rooftops in New York City webpage.

May 19-22: Ecobuild America & AEC-ST, Anaheim, CA, USA
Source: Ecobuild America

Ecobuild America and AEC-ST was held in Anaheim, California on May 19 - 22, 2008, and is THE annual gathering place for AEC professionals who design, construct, manage facilities and specify building products, materials, and services. These events cover the unique intersection where ecology meets technology.

Ecobuild America
Openly invites all industry organizations, experts and career professionals to provide you and your building team with comprehensive exposure to all aspects of:

Sustainable and environmental design
Energy efficiency and renewable resources
Green building practices
Built Environment product and service innovations
Best practices and expert strategies
And opportunities to expand your offerings to government projects & all under one roof.

AEC - Science & Technology (AEC-ST)
Serves the Built Environment by focusing its expert sessions on helping you increase your productivity and profits throughout the project life cycle - solely by maximizing the benefits of your information technology. Unlock the gateway to clarity in collaboration within your enterprise, especially in regard to:

Building Information Modeling
GSA requirements for BIM
AEC Technologies and Best Practices
Multiple-data format management
Project Life Cycle automation
Future direction of IT trends, best practices and sustainable solutions

Visit the Ecobuild America & AEC-ST website.

May 17-18: Chicago Green Festival, Chicago, IL, USA
Source: Green Festivals

The 2008 Chicago Green Festival took place on May 17-18, 2008 at Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Avenue, in Chicago, Illinois.  Celebrating what’s working in our communities, green festival showcases more than 350 diverse local and national green businesses displaying and selling eco-friendly, fair trade and sustainable products. More than 150 visionary speakers appear for standing-room-only panel discussions, presentations and main stage speaking events.

You’ll also enjoy great how-to workshops, green films, a fair trade pavilion, yoga and movement classes, kids’ zone, delicious organic beer, wine and cuisine, and live music.

We extend a special thanks to the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Environment for their support in bringing Green Festival to the Midwest. And we deeply appreciate the amazing efforts of the Host Committee, Chicago’s green business and community leaders who help Green Festival provide the best products, services and technologies in the Great Lakes.

Visit the Green Festivals website. 

May 15–17: AIA 2008 National Convention and Design Exposition, Boston, MA, USA
Source: AIA

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2008 National Convention and Design Exposition will take place on May 15–17 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts.  See how a city that began at the forefront of American history now shines as a vibrant and thriving community.  Boston’s seamless integration of historical and modern design makes it the ideal locale for exploring this year’s theme, We the People.  This theme calls upon you to exchange ideas with peers and industry leaders on the architect’s role in society and the power of architecture on behalf of all people.  It’s a big, important topic, which means the 2008 convention is a must-attend event.

Support Greenroofs.com's Sponsors by visiting these who will be on the Trade Show floor this year:

American Hydrotech - Booth # 16143
GreenGrid - Booth # 21146
Green Roof Blocks - Booth # 13176
Roofscapes, Inc. - Booth # 22193

And don't forget to visit our other Greenroof Directory Advertisers at the Show, too:

American Wick Drain - Booth # 24090
Colbond - Booth # 20177
Henry Company - Booth # 10085
Liquid Plastics - Booth # 23188
Sika Sarnafil - Booth # 14200

Attend the AIA Expo Trade Show floor for free on May 15 -17, see here.  Visit the AIA Convention website.

May 15: D.C. Greenworks' 3rd Annual Green Carpet Gathering, Washington, D.C., USA
Source: D.C. Greenworks

D.C. Greenworks is pleased to announce their 3rd Annual Green Carpet Gathering on Thursday, May 15, 2008 from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm at 1425 K Street NW, Washington, D.C.:

Buy your tickets here, and visit the D.C. Greenworks website.

May 11-13: National Association of Home Builders National Green Building Conference, New Orleans, LA, USA
Source: NAHB

The National Association of Home Builders National Green Building Conference was held on May 11-13, 2008 at the Sheraton New Orleans, in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Get contacts, tools and ideas that are good for both the environment and your bottom line. The National Green Building Conference is the only national conference targeted to green building for the mainstream residential building industry. Network with designers and suppliers, attend exceptional education sessions and develop the skills you need for profitable green building.

Who Should Attend:
Single family builders
Multifamily builders
Remodelers
Developers
Land planners
Architects and designers
Energy raters, home inspectors, utilities staff
Product manufacturers and suppliers

Visit the National Association of Home Builders National Green Building Conference website.

May 13: Green Drinks NYC, New York, NY, USA
Source: greendrinks.org

WHAT: Green Drinks NYC ~ Every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 100 or so New Yorkers who are interested in exploring all things green and sustainable meet at different fabulous locations around the city.  It’s a great chance to mix with other green-minded folks, share info and make new friends.  Open to everyone.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 13, 2007,  6 – 10pm.

WHERE: This month at:  ~ Chelsea Brewing Company: The 12,000 square foot restaurant and microbrewery features 24-foot ceilings, mahogany wood bars and a cigar lounge, all located behind a two-story glass wall with a pristine view of the Hudson River.

COST: $10 suggested donation.

BONUS: Old clothing donation pickup is available through Wearable Collection, bring down your old jeans and recycle! Also bring your electric bill to sign up for Wind Power and entrance is free!

HOW: Walk, cycle, bus, subway, pedicab, ozocar or taxi (ok if more than two passengers).  Just go up to someone and say "are you green?", and you'll be made welcome.

REMIND: To get on this circulation, SIGN UP RIGHT HERE.

2 MIN PITCH: We want to hear from you!  Write to nycgreendrinks@gmail.com to sign up for a 2 min pitch to tell us about the various projects you are working on and be sure to write "pitch" in subject line.

WHO: Anyone who likes networking and being social.

WHY: Fun, contacts, alcohol, info, gossip, inspiration, business and pleasure.

! STATUS: Informal, self-organizing network.

GLOBAL: London | Berlin | Bristol | Bath | Canberra | Hamburg | Munich | Oxford | Reading | Warsaw | Tokyo | Washington, DC | Peterborough | San Francisco | Chicago | Sacramento | New York City | Providence | Twin Cities | Portland, OR | Seattle | Houston ~ 129 cities worldwide!

Green Drinks is a low key, informal, self-organizing network who meet at a different place each month with people who work in the environmental field for a beer - it's a chance to mix with others to network, share info and make friends.  It is a lively group of people who work in the areas of: architecture, energy, film, finance, publishing, fundraising, graphic design, sustainability in business, eco-materials, interior design, fashion design, law as well as folks in the non-profit and for-profit worlds.  

Organizers feel this might be a way for greenroofs folks to connect with other green folks in the city, and suggest you take a chance to mix with other like-minded folks, to network, share info and make friends.  Just go up to someone and say "are you green?", and you'll be made welcome.

Visit the greendrinks.org website.

May 10: 2008 North Shore Greenscapes Program, “Soaking Up the Rain,” Peabody, MA, USA
Source: Salem Gazette

Salem Sound Coastwatch is a non-profit coastal watershed association that works with government agencies, businesses, other nonprofit organizations and citizens from the communities of Manchester, Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem, and Marblehead, Massachusetts. We are dedicated to taking cooperative action to protect and enhance the environmental quality of the Salem Sound Watershed. Salem Sound Coastwatch in cooperation with its many partners to bring you knowledge on how to have environmentally-friendly lawns and yards that are safe, attractive, save money on water bills and keep our coastal waters cleaner. The 2008 North Shore Greenscapes Program Free Workshop Series includes occassional inclusion of greenroofs, as in the following:

Saturday, May 10 – “Soaking Up the Rain” 9:30 – 11:30 am
In the store at Brooksby Farm, 38 Felton Rd, Peabody, MA 01960

When it rains, pavements and rooftops shed water containing sediments and chemicals that eventually pollute our rivers, streams, ponds and coastal waters. These impervious surfaces also increase the likelihood of flooding.
This workshop will present different strategies for homeowners to put rainwater to good use. Curtis Dragon, certified organic landscaper, will discuss how to create a rain garden; Karen Weber of Earth Our Only Home will talk about green roofs (planted roofs) that soak up the rain, and Lou Iuliano of Ideal Pavers will talk about permeable pavers that allow infiltration of rainwater and recharge of groundwater.

Download the PDF, and directions are posted on www.greenscapes.org.  For more information, contact Salem Sound Coastwatch: info@salemsound.org or call 978.741.7900.

Visit the Salem Sound Coastwatch website and Earth Our Only Home website.

April 30-May 2: Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference Awards and Trade Show, Baltimore, MD, USA
Source: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

The three-day 6th Annual Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference Awards and Trade Show was held at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.  Co-hosted with the City of Baltimore, this Conference is organized by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) a not-for-profit industry association working to promote the green roof industry in North America.  The Conference consists of plenary and specialized sessions focused on four main topic areas:

1. Policies and Programs to Support Green Roofs
2. Green Roof Design and Implementation
3. Research and Technical Papers on Green Roof Performance
4. Networking & Information Forums on Current Green Roof Topics

This conference is designed for architects, landscape architects, roofing professionals, green roof researchers, horticulturalists, urban planners, facility managers and developers, policy makers and anyone with an interest in green roofs and green buildings.

Your 2008 full-delegate pass includes:

* Access to over 50 presentations by green roof industry leaders
* Free Pass to the Trade Show featuring more than 75 Exhibitors showcasing Green Roof Products and Services
* Access to the Poster Sessions
* One Copy of the Official Conference Proceedings CD-ROM featuring the peer-reviewed Speaker Papers (Retail value $75)
* One ticket to Reception on Trade Show Floor (April 30), Browse and Lunch (May 1), City of Baltimore Reception (May 1) and Awards of Excellence Luncheon (May 2)

One-day delegate passes for Thursday May 1 or Friday May 2 and trade show only passes are also available. Courses and green roof tours are offered. See Fees section for available options and prices.

As a Green Roofs for Healthy Cities media partner for the sixth year in a row, we here at Greenroofs.com don't want you to miss out on all the activities. Baltimore is the co-host, so come join us in a great city full of fun and experience an exciting agenda with networking opportunities galore.

Enjoy hearing from professionals from across multi-disciplinary fields and the world, including some of us here at Greenroofs.com, who is a media partner for the 6th year in a row with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities:

Thursday May 1, 2008
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Track 3 Research on Technical Performance
Session 3.1: Runoff Quality and Quantity: What is That Running Off My Green Roof?
Bill Retzlaff, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Greenroofs.com G.R.E.E.N. Editor

10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Track 4 Networking Session
Session 4.2: The Future Directions of Green Roof Research
Room: 303, Baltimore Convention Center.
Panelists: Brad Bass, Environment Canada; Patrick Carey, Hadj Design Group and Greenroofs.com Architecture Editor; Reuben Freed, Greenscreen; & Christine Thuring, Chlorophyllocity/ BCIT and Greenroofs.com Student Editor.

3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Track 4 Networking Session
Session 4.3: Fire and Wind Uplift and the ANSI Standard, presented by Kelly Luckett, President, Green Roof Blocks and Greenroofs.com The Green Roof Guy

Friday May 2, 2008
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Track 2 Case Studies and Design
Session 2.4: Designing Specialized Green Roofs
The 2008 Top Ten Hot Trends in Greenroof Design
Linda Velazquez, Greenroofs.com Publisher & Editor; & Haven Kiers, Greenroofs.com Design Editor

Saturday, May 3, 2008
GRHC 201 Training Course presented by Patrick Carey

See the complete Agenda here.

Make sure to come by and visit Greenroofs.com at our Booth #108 and also please visit our Contributing Editors:
Ed Snodgrass of Emory Knoll Farms Booth # 419 - The Plant Editor
Kelly Luckett of Green Roof Blocks Booth # 519 - The Green Roof Guy
Ralph Velasquez of Tremco Booths #  203 & 205 - The Sustainable Roofing Technologies Editor
George Irwin of Green Living Technologies (GLT) Booth # 620 - The Green Wall Editor

Support Greenroofs.com's Sponsors by visiting these who will be on the Trade Show floor this year:

American Hydrotech - Booth # 201
Conservation Technology - Booths # 401 & 500
GreenGrid - Booth # 403
Green Roof Blocks - Booth # 519
Tremco - Booths #  203 & 205
Xero Flor America - Booths # 218 & 220

And don't forget to visit our other Greenroof Directory Advertisers at the Show, too:

Barrett Roofs - Booth # 301
Carolina Stonecrops - Booth # 405
Colbond - Booth # 302
DC Greenworks - Booth # 104
Green Roof Service - Booth # 318
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities - Booth # 601
International Leak Detection - Booth # 206
LiveRoof - Booth # 504
Moss Acres - Booth # 216
Northeast Solite Corp. - Booth # 418
Rooflite - Booths # 507 & 606
Sika Sarnafil - Booths # 101 & 103
Soprema - Booths # 404 & 406
TectaAmerica Corp. - Booth # 610
Tournesol Siteworks - Booth # 604

Visit the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Conference website.

April 27-May 1: 2008 APA National Planning Conference, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Source: Department of Planning and Development (DPD), City of Seattle

Las Vegas played host to the American Planning Association's 100th National Planning Conference, Sunday, April 27, through Thursday, May 1, 2008 at the Paris and Bally's in Las Vegas, Nevada . More than 5,500 planners, students, and citizens were expected to enjoy 200-plus conference sessions, mobile workshops, training seminars, and networking opportunities. Come and see how Las Vegas is winning.

The largest planning conference in the world includes a conference just for you. At APA's National Planning Conference you can pick and choose from hundreds of sessions, workshops, and mobile workshops to build your own conference. Use APA's online schedule builder to customize your conference. Or choose one of APA's suggested schedules.

Visit the APA website.

Go Green Expo! A Full Weekend of Green! April 25 - 27 at the Hilton NY in Manhattan
1335 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue at 53rd Street)

April 25-27: Go Green Expo NY, New York, New York, USA
Source: Go Green Expo

This inaugural expo was held at the Hilton New York Hotel on 6th Avenue at 53rd Street. Go Green Expo featured the latest eco-friendly products & services that all New Yorkers can learn about as well purchase to help reduce their environmental impact and lead a "greener" life.

                                        BUSINESS SUMMIT • GALA AWARDS DINNER • GO GREEN EXPO

"There are almost always environmentally-friendly alternatives to everyday tasks and products," states Go Green Expo's CEO, Bradford Rand, "we hope to enlighten, entertain and educate both consumers and business owners with ways in which they can do their small part to change the current climate crisis that faces our world today."

Download the Speaker Sessions PDF here.

Make sure to see George Irwin, Greenroofs.com's new Green Wall Editor here for his lecture "Green Walls: Outer Beauty, Inner Function" on April 26, 2008 at 1:00, and visit the Green Living Technologies, LLC (GLT) booth, too.

Visit the Go Green Expo website.

April 21: Ecocity World Summit - Pre-Conference Event – Open to the Public
World View of Warming and How Cities can Save the Earth, San Francisco, CA, USA

Held in conjunction with the Ecocity World Summit, and open to the public, Gary Braasch, photographer and author, Earth Under Fire, How Global Warming is Changing the World (University of California Press, 2007),  presented his past and present photographic record of climate change around the world with emphasis on cities, their contributions to the problems of the world’s environment, and whole systems initiatives for change.

When: Monday April 21, 2008 7-9pm

Where: The Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue at McAllister Street

Cost: $15 for general admission, $12 student/senior.

Visit www.cityboxoffice.com to purchase your tickets online.

For more information on the Ecocity World Summit visit www.ecocityworldsummit.org

April 22-26: Ecocity World Summit 2008, San Francisco, CA, USA
Source: Smart Growth America

Throughout Earth Day Week, April 22-26, 2008 in San Francisco, California, the Ecocity World Summit (7th International Ecocity Conference) convened an international community of inspired change-makers; courageous individuals who are addressing problems of the world's environment with thoughtful long-range solutions that are truly sustainable, ecologically healthy and socially just.

The International Ecocity Conference Series brings together the key innovators, decision makers, technologists, businesses and organizations shaping the conversation around ecological and sustainable city, town and village design, planning and development. We intend to put these issues on the economic and environmental agenda for 2008 and beyond.

Ecocity World Summit 2008 Themes
People: population, health, equity, and access
Nature: protecting and restoring the planet’s living systems and agricultural lands
Sustainable Development: land use, transportation, architecture and infrastructure
Economies & Technologies: building the supporting markets, businesses and technologies
Incentives & Support Structures: role of government, organizations, institutions and individuals.

Visit the Ecocity World Summit website.

April 12-13: Seattle Green Festival, Seattle, WA, USA
Source: Department of Planning and Development (DPD), City of Seattle

The Seattle Green Festival took place at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle, Washington. Named one of the top 10 green cities in the U.S. in 2005 by National Geographic's The Green Guide, what better place to celebrate what's working in our communities? The City of Seattle is proud to co-host, with the Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, the first Northwest Green Festival.

Discover some of the best green products and services the Northwest has to offer. And, through the City's Clean & Green Seattle projects, you'll learn how neighbors, community nonprofits and city departments are working together to make their city a healthier place to live.

Take in more than 300 exhibits
* Shop for everything from eco-fashion and natural home and health products to solar panels and fair trade gifts and crafts. * Discover new techniques and strategies at great how-to workshops.
* Network at green career and green investing sessions.
* Green your home and save energy at the City of Seattle Pavilion.
* Let your kids play at the Organic Valley of Family Farms' Kids' Zone.
* Enjoy organic dining and sample local beers & wines.
* Find local organic produce at the Farmer’s Market.
* Hear great, live local music.

See more than 150 dynamic speakers on 5 stages.

Visit the Green Festivals website.

April 8: Green Drinks NYC, New York, NY, USA
Source: greendrinks.org

WHAT: Green Drinks NYC ~ Every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 100 or so New Yorkers who are interested in exploring all things green and sustainable meet at different fabulous locations around the city.  It’s a great chance to mix with other green-minded folks, share info and make new friends.  Open to everyone.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 2007,  6 – 10pm.

WHERE: This month at:  ~ "Eyebeam," at 540 W. 21st Street, (between 10th and 11th Avenues) New York, NY 10011 Tel. 212.937.6580 web: EyeBeam- FEEDBACK Exhibit

Eyebeam's expansive new exhibition, FEEDBACK, surveys artists, designers, architects and engineers on the topic of sustainability, and presents their responses-19 projects varying from public art projects and industrial design to DIY energy solutions and software tools-to inspire discussion and action on this pervasive (and increasingly commodified) subject.

OPEN BAR: $20 and free copy of David Bach's book "Go Green, Live Rich" for the first 100 attendees.

BONUS: Old clothing donation pickup is available through Wearable Collection, bring down your old jeans and recycle! Also bring your electric bill to sign up for Wind Power.

HOW: Walk, cycle, bus, subway, pedicab, ozocar or taxi (ok if more than two passengers).  Just go up to someone and say "are you green?", and you'll be made welcome.

REMIND: To get on this circulation, SIGN UP RIGHT HERE.

2 MIN PITCH: We want to hear from you!  Write to nycgreendrinks@gmail.com to sign up for a 2 min pitch to tell us about the various projects you are working on and be sure to write "pitch" in subject line.

WHO: Anyone who likes networking and being social.

WHY: Fun, contacts, alcohol, info, gossip, inspiration, business and pleasure.

! STATUS: Informal, self-organizing network.

GLOBAL: London | Berlin | Bristol | Bath | Canberra | Hamburg | Munich | Oxford | Reading | Warsaw | Tokyo | Washington, DC | Peterborough | San Francisco | Chicago | Sacramento | New York City | Providence | Twin Cities | Portland, OR | Seattle | Houston ~ 129 cities worldwide!

Green Drinks is a low key, informal, self-organizing network who meet at a different place each month with people who work in the environmental field for a beer - it's a chance to mix with others to network, share info and make friends.  It is a lively group of people who work in the areas of: architecture, energy, film, finance, publishing, fundraising, graphic design, sustainability in business, eco-materials, interior design, fashion design, law as well as folks in the non-profit and for-profit worlds.  

Organizers feel this might be a way for greenroofs folks to connect with other green folks in the city, and suggest you take a chance to mix with other like-minded folks, to network, share info and make friends.  Just go up to someone and say "are you green?", and you'll be made welcome.

Visit the greendrinks.org website.

April 6-9: April ASTM 2008 Committee Week, Anaheim, CA, USA
Source: ASTM

The April ASTM 2008 Committee Week for the E06 Performance of Buildings (which includes the Green Roof Task Force) will be held at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel in Anaheim, California on Sunday April 06 2008 - Wednesday April 09, 2008.  Open to the public.

Read the Greenroofs.com ASTM Editor, Ralph Velasquez, ASTM Updates column here.

Visit the ASTM website.

April 3-6: CNU XVI, Austin, TX, USA
Source: Smart Growth America

CNU XVI: New Urbanism and the Booming Metropolis took place on April 3 - 6, 2008 at the Austin Convention Center, in Austin, Texas.  How do we make New Urbanism flourish in the suburbs and boomtowns of high-growth America? How can regions preserve their local character and environment while creating vital new and renewed communities? From new rail systems to infill transit-oriented development to the downtown high-rise boom, Austin is the place to see how New Urbanism is making a difference on the front lines of American growth. Attend the premier gathering of new urbanists April 3-6, 2008.

Why You Should Come
Connect and collaborate with other new urbanist practitioners
Experience excellent traditional urbanism firsthand though local tours
Learn how practitioners are applying the Charter principles in the field
Stay on the cusp of the latest new urbanist trends
Contribute your own ideas and experience to take New Urbanism to the next level
Learn about new products and the latest innovations at CNU exhibits
The annual Congress for the New Urbanism is the nation’s leading forum dedicated to advancing urbanism and promoting alternatives to sprawl.

New Urbanism is an urban design and development movement dedicated to implementing community-oriented principles of traditional town and city planning in contrast to the prevailing system of formless sprawl. New Urbanist developments are walkable, provide a diverse range of housing options, encourage a rich mix of uses, and provide welcoming public spaces as detailed in the Charter of the New Urbanism.

New Urbanism is an interdisciplinary movement. We welcome developers, architects, landscape architects, town planners, urban designers, engineers, environmental consultants, housing specialists, real estate brokers, regulators, real estate financiers and government officials. Students, community activists and interested members of the public are also encouraged to attend.

Visit the Congress for the New Urbanism website.

March 31-April 2: The International Conference on Intelligent, Green and Energy-efficient Building & New Technologies and Products Expo, Beijing, China

The fourth International Conference on Intelligent, Green and Energy-efficient Building & New Technologies and Products Expo was held on 31 March- 2 April, 2008, at the Beijing International Convention Centre in Beijing, China, The International Conference on Intelligent, Green and Energy-efficient Building & New Technologies and Products Expo, initiated by Ministry of Construction, P. R. China, and co-hosted by the National Development and Reform Commission of China, Ministry of Science and Technology, P. R. China and State Environmental Protection Administration, P. R. China, together with related international governments, organizations and associations, is an international event of great significance. It was initiated in 2005, and has been successfully held for three times.

In the modern world, it is an inevitable tendency that a sustainable development concept is to lead the building field by promoting the development of architecture towards energy efficiency, green building, and intelligent building. As the acceleration of the process of the urbanization and industrialization, China will be the largest building market with a great potential and a prosperous prospect of developing intelligent and green building, and promoting energy efficiency in building field.

Topics

1) Design theory, method and practice of Green building
· Analysis of technical standards and incentive policies for intelligent green buildings
· The latest design theory and optimal practice in constructing intelligent green building

2) Green intelligent buildings
· Related development policies and industrial management treatises
· Key technologies on internet, safe guard, and building automatic-control etc
· Construction of digital communities and office buildings
· The application of new intelligent technologies and products in green building

3) Special eco-technologies for green building
· Allocation of green environment
· Utilization of water resource
· Indoor environment

4) Green building materials
· Advanced energy-efficient ,environment-friendly building materials
· Advanced energy efficient technologies
· Application of recyclable and reproducible building materials

5) Sound development of green building and resident real estate
· Improving policies ,development mode and technological approaches of green intelligent building based on the technological development of China’s residence and real estate industry

6) Engineering practice of existing building energy-saving renovation
· Standards and technical economic policies on energy conservation in buildings
· Technologies and practices of enclosed structure on energy conservation in buildings
· Design and evaluation technology on energy-conservation in buildings
· Testing and statistic method of building energy consumption
· Control technology of heating measurement
· Technology of utilization of natural cooling and heating energy

7) Engineering practice and use of reproducible resources in buildings
· Large scale application of solar energy, geothermal energy, methane in buildings
· Application of reproducible energy in demonstration project

8) Operation and supervision on energy conservation in large public buildings and energy conservation service market
· Energy consumption statistics and energy audit of government office building and large public building in demonstrated domestic cities and provinces and foreign countries
· Energy utilization standard, energy consumption ratio, excess of ratio charge and energy-efficient service

9) Heat-supply system reform and building resource conservation
· Reform of heating price system and heating measurement
· Advanced technologies and products of heating measurement & testing and toll collection system

10) New materials and technologies of external insulation
· Technological system research on external insulation
· Material and product development on external insulation

Visit the International Conference on Intelligent, Green and Energy-efficient Building & New Technologies and Products Expo website.

March 31: 2008 World Green Roof Congress Call for Papers, London, England, UK
Source: Livingroofs.org and CIRIA

CIRIA and LivingRoofs welcomed the submission of abstracts for the 2008 World Green Roof Congress from colleagues with experience on the following two topics (shown below). Guidance on format for abstract submission can be found below.  From the submitted abstracts, we will select a number of entries and then notify the authors to provide a full paper – see key dates for submission of full papers. These papers will be presented on Day two of the conference.

All papers and presentations need to be submitted and presented in English.

Lifecycle of implementing green roofs and green walls:
Planning green roofs and green walls
Designing green roofs and green walls
Constructing and managing green roofs and green walls
Local, Regional and National Standards for green roofs and green walls
City and Regional initiatives
Case studies design, client, contractor lead.

Evidence base behind green roofs and green walls:
Performance for biodiversity
Performance for stormwater management
Performance for climate change adaptation
Performance for improving amenity and 'place making'
Financial performance
Other Benefits.

Should you have any questions about the topics or require related information, please contact Dusty Gedge on dusty1@livingroofs.org, Steven Wheeler steven.wheeler@ciria.org, Charles Perkin charles.perkin@ciria.org - tel +44 (0)207 5493300.

Abstract submission guidelines
Submit abstracts to charles.perkin@ciria.org
Please state World Green Roof Congress 2008 Abstract in the title of your email

Due Date: Submission of abstract by authors extended to: 31st March 2008.   See the complete submission guidelines - visit the 2008 World Green Roof Congress website.

March 28-30: Better Living Show, Portland, OR, USA
Source: Environmental Services, City of Portland

The Energy Trust Better Living Home Garden & Lifestyle Show is the next generation in consumer events. Learn more about this three-day festival in the months leading up to our Portland debut, March 28-30, held at the Portland Expo Center. You get it. Sustainability is the new word for livability. Balance and harmony are the new touchstones of healthy living. You want to be a more thoughtful consumer. Make a lighter environmental footprint. Take a holistic approach to life. Do just one thing for the planet.

We'll introduce you to businesses and groups in our region that will help you make choices you feel good about. The show highlights seven core topics: lifestyle, home/garden, transportation, food/beverage, clean tech, eco adventure and conservation. All presented in an entertaining way like you've never seen before.

Ed Begley Jr., the star of Living with Ed, appeared on Friday, March 28 on the Sustainable Life Stage.

Visit the Better Living Show website.

March 29: Earth Hour @ 8:00-9:00 p.m. local time, The World
Source: Earth Hour

What do the Sears Tower, Wrigley Field Marquee, Coit Tower and the Georgia Aquarium have in common? They'll all be going dark on March 29th! Thanks to the commitment of leaders in the partner cities, these iconic American sites will join with personal landmarks-your homes, businesses and schools across America - to turn out the lights and take a visible stand against climate change. Thousands of people across America and across the globe have signed up to "turn out" for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund, on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. your local time. Greenroofs.com has been officially on board since February!   Did you join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for one hour on Earth Hour?  Earth Hour was created by the WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the U.S. flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco–and the Canadian cities of Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.   Visit the Earth Hour North America website, and check out the new video with Emmy-award winning actor Jeremy Piven.

March 16: Amazing Waterfront Homes Episode on HGTV
Source: HGTV.com

See Amazing Waterfront Homes: Episode HWFH1-S08 on HGTV. Take a tour of some of America's most beautiful and unique homes on the water with this Gallery of 10 Amazing Waterfront Homes. Visit spectacular dwellings built next to lakes, oceans, rivers and bays, and meet the homeowners whose lifestyle is all about living by the water. In particular, the beautiful Big Sur Retreat of homeowners Zack and Langka Treadwell, designed by MaryAnn Schicketanz, architect with Carver + Schickentanz, sprouts a living roof of native California vegetation.

Visit the HGTV TV Specials website.

March 12-14: GLOBE 2008 International Conference & Trade Fair on the Business of the Environment, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Source: RenewableEnergyAccess.com

The GLOBE 2008 International Conference & Trade Fair on the Business of the Environment was held on March 12-14, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Canada Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre at Canada Place.  The GLOBE series of events is dedicated to bringing together professionals from the environment sector. Every two years, corporate executives, government representatives, environmental senior managers, urban planners and financial executives meet to discuss emerging priorities and opportunities in the business of the environment, and to discover the newest environmental technologies.

The tenth in the series, GLOBE 2008 will host 10,000 participants, 2,000 conference delegates, 400 exhibitors, 200 speakers and dozens of international delegations from over 70 countries.

The Trade Fair will showcase over 40,000 sq ft of the latest technologies and services from across the world in areas of interest to environmental companies: Renewable Energies but also Waste Management, Water Pollution, Green Buildings and more. Don't loose this opportunity to network with the world's greatest corporate, environmental and government leaders from North America, Latin America, Asia and Europe.

Visit the GLOBE 2008 website.

March 12: Greenprints 2008 Visionary Dinner, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Source: Southface Energy Institute

The Greenprints 2008 Visionary Dinner evening event featured a VIP reception, keynote address, the presentation of The Argon Award for Success in Sustainability and an exquisite five-course gourmet meal paired with sustainable wines. The food for the dinner will be provided by event sponsor Whole Foods and prepared by an exceptional team of renowned local chefs.

Green building luminary Rick Fedrizzi announced as the 2008 Visionary Dinner Keynote Speaker.  Southface is proud to announce distinguished green building leader Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council as the 2008 Visionary Dinner Keynote Speaker.  The Visionary Dinner, hosted by Southface and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, will be held on March 12 at the Georgia Aquarium.  This is the kick-off event commencing the two-day Greenprints conference and trade show on March 13-14, 2008 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel.

Download the Southface Visionary Dinner Keynote Press Release of 2.04.08 here, and the Visionary Dinner Fact Sheet 2008 here.

You can get more information or register now for either event: www.greenprints.org and www.southface.org/visionarydinner.

March 13-14: Greenprints Conference & Green Trade Show, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Source: Southface Energy Institute
 
GREENPRINTS GREEN CONFERENCE AND GREEN TRADESHOW 2008 will be held on March 13 - 14, 2008 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta, GA.  Greenprints, now in its tenth year, showcases the latest sustainable design and construction strategies from leading practitioners in commercial and residential building and land use planning. The audience includes professionals in architecture, interior design, engineering, construction, land use planning, facilities management and real estate development. In addition, Greenprints appeals to policy makers, educators, students and journalists.

Greenprints presentations strengthen the conference’s take-home value and provide attendees with real examples and tools of how to design and operate sustainable buildings and communities.

We are evaluating presentations on topics related to the following:

• residential, commercial and mixed use development trends
• innovative financing for green buildings and developments
• effective design and construction strategies to ensure successful green outcomes
• Integrated Design Approach and building a green team
• market forces driving the green building sector, including federal, state and local incentives and mandates
• human scale design, creating walkable communities and architecture
• ecological construction and deconstruction principles
• tools that will help attendees anticipate growing customer demands for environmentally responsible building while expanding their business, operating, and market capacity for green projects

In addition, we are reviewing case studies from throughout the Southeast for a dedicated session examining high performance buildings in the region. Case study presentations will be approximately 30 minutes in length.

In our efforts to keep Greenprints affordable, we ask that our speakers donate their time and provide their own transportation and accommodations. Southface does provide a complimentary conference registration, including meals and receptions.

Linda Velazquez, ASLA Associate, LEED AP, publisher/editor of Greenroofs.com, and Alan Wieczynski, RLA, ASLA, LEED AP Landscape Architect with Breedlove Land Planning, Inc. will be presenting a case study of Rock Mill Park in Alpharetta, GA on Thursday, March 13, 2008 as part of the "Innovative and Integrated Stormwater Management Strategies" session at 2:30 - 4:00 pm.

WHEN: Thursday, March 13, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008

WHERE: The Westin Peachtree Plaza
210 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30303

WHY: Greenprints is the leading Southeast green conference and green tradeshow providing green building professionals, and product manufacturers an opportunity to directly address the green building community on the latest environmental technologies and sustainable design strategies.

MORE: For more info, contact Stephanie Connell at sconnell@southface.org or call 404.604.3596. To learn more about Greenprints go to www.greenprints.org.

March 11-13: NESEA BuildingEnergy08, Boston, MA, USA
Source: NESEA

Presented by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), BuildingEnergy08 was held on March 11-13 at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The Practice of Sustainability: Tools, Actions & Solutions. BuildingEnergy08 is where you belong! We want you to discover why BuildingEnergy08 promises to be your best opportunity to gather and share ideas with the renewable energy and green building professionals who are shaping the Practice of Sustainability. We believe that your practice is part of that picture. We've invited thought and practice leaders to inspire, challenge, enlighten, and inform you. We expect you to engage them, and each other, in our common pursuit of sustainability's best practices.

Recommended for architects, engineers, builders, building systems designers and owners, facility managers, developers, investors, real estate professionals, municipal & building code officials, sustainability coordinators, policy makers, planners and students.

Alex Wilson, Executive Editor, Environmental Building News, Inc., Keynote Speaker, at the Plenary Session, Wednesday, March 12, 8:45 a.m.

Visit the NESEA website.

March 2-9: 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Source: The Philadelphia Flower Show

The 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show's "Jazz It Up!" theme ran from March 2 to March 9, 2008 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. From the Roaring '20s to New Orleans' French Quarter, the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show inspired people to jazz it up.

"Jazz It Up" will celebrate the birthplace of jazz and much more, as exhibitors take gardening to the next level with pumped-up versions of New Orleans walled courtyards, cast iron balconies, fountains and canals. If you like music, there will also be the toe-tapping sounds of great Jazz legends. Show proceeds, including tickets and sponsorship contributions, support The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, including its acclaimed urban greening program, Philadelphia Green.

A living roof and other sustainable ideas will be celebrated in A-Maze-in-Green, a maze that's part of the PG/Bidwell garden on the convention center's first floor.

Visit the Philadelphia Flower Show website.

March 7: Deadline Extended to Participate in the Greenroofs.com 2008 Greenroof Design Trends Survey
Source: Greenroofs.com

Linda S. Velazquez, ASLA Associate, LEED AP, Greenroofs.com Publisher & Design Consultant and Haven Kiers, MLA, Greenroofs.com Design Editor, want your unique perspective to help us determine which greenroof projects will not only take us into 2008 with a bang, but also beyond.

The rise of green, eco-friendly agendas continues to proliferate across global industries and boundaries.  Greenroofs are fast becoming green staples of chic sustainability in mainstream architecture and high performance building.  What are the new and exciting projects on the boards?  We want you to share your opinions and experience of the latest and greatest international greenroof design trends!  We'll tabulate your feedback and include it along with our own ideas for the second yearly installment of our "2008 Top Ten Hot Trends in Greenroof Design."  We'll be presenting the Top Ten List at the next Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference in Baltimore, MD, on April 30-May 2, 2008.

Communicate your personal beliefs, passion, and what you see as spirit of innovation with our 2008 Greenroof Design Trends Survey! Write as much or as little as you want.  If you'd like to send graphics, send to: surveys@greenroofs.com. We would appreciate your reply by March 7, 2008.

Go to the 2008 Greenroof Design Trends Survey.
 

March 3: Roofscapes' Annual Seminar “Achieving Results: The Science of Successful Green Roofs,” Washington, D.C., USA
Source: Roofscapes, Inc.

Roofscapes held its annual seminar "Succeeding in the Maturing American Green Roof Industry: New Tools and Strategies" on March 3, 2008, at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Washington, D.C. Each spring, Roofscapes, Inc. presents a technical green roof seminar in which we review the latest developments in the industry. This year we held our seminar in Washington, D.C. Our featured speaker this year was Dr. Erik Ristenpart, who wrote the R-WIN computer program, which is used widely in Germany to assess the contribution of green roofs and other best management practices in managing storm water runoff from new developments.

Agenda

9:00 Registration / Continental Breakfast
9:30 Welcome
9:45 Sun, Wind, Light and Rainfall (and elbow grease)
Charlie Miller, P.E., President, Roofscapes, Inc.

Mr. Miller summarizes observations of over 50 green roof projects, some of them now 10 years old. He focuses on the influence of microclimatic factors in determining outcomes and on the critical role of maintenance.

10:15 Role of Plants in Achieving Green Roof Performance
Dr. Berghage, Green Roof Research Center, Pennsylvania State University
(also representing the Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory)

Dr. Berghage discusses the role of plants in achieving the sought-after benefits of runoff management and energy modulation in green roofs. He also addresses the importance of material testing and project monitoring.

11:00 Predicting Energy Benefits
Dr. Brad Bass, Institute for Environmental Studies, Adaptation and Impacts Research Group, Environment Canada

The Institute for Environmental Studies has successfully implemented a subroutine for the ESP-r that allows the influence of green roofs to be incorporated in building envelope energy modeling. Dr. Bass discusses his conclusions about energy benefits in a variety of settings and address the challenges in conducting energy modeling of green roofs.

11:45 Lunch

12:15 Interactive Site-Wide Stormwater Modeling (FEATURED SPEAKER)
Dr. Erik Ristenpart, IFS-Hannover

IFS-Hannover has developed an interactive computer program that allows green roofs to be evaluated in combination with a wide range of related Best Management Practices, including infiltration measures, rainwater harvesting and reuse. This approach involves long-term simulations to generate statistical outputs using local rainfall data. Dr. Ristenpart demonstrates the program using rainfall data from Washington, D.C. He also describes how this type of modeling has been used by municipal authorities in Germany.

1:15 Role of Irrigation in Green Roof Design
Charlie Miller, P.E., Roofscapes, Inc.

Irrigation plays an important role to play in many projects, especially when energy benefits are an important design objective or where native plant assemblages are desired. Base-level irrigation techniques offer efficient, low-maintenance options. Mr. Miller presents a variety of applications of base-level irrigation.

2:00 Break

A chance to talk to the speakers and increase both your green roof IQ and blood sugar levels.

2:30 Living Walls
Michael Furbish, Furbish Company

Living walls offer a sustainable solution for building climate control and air filtration. Mr. Furbish will discuss the principles of interior living wall design and present an exciting case study of a project his firm has installed in the Washington, D.C. area.

2:50 What Lies Below
Steven Gordon, PPSI

Mr. Gordon presents waterproofing solutions for a wide range of green roof situations.

3:10 Accountability in Green Roof Design and Implementation
Charlie Miller, P.E., Roofscapes, Inc.

This session focuses on material testing and includes an overview of a valuable product certification program. Mr. Miller also presents field-tested solutions for projects facing challenges from high wind velocities and steep pitches.

3:30 Green Roof Policy and Regulation in our Region
Melissa Muroff, Esq., Roofscapes, Inc.

Ms. Muroff addresses the practical side of implementing cost effective programs that foster the use of green roofs and other Best Management Practices in our region.

4:00 Close

Register online (with credit card via PayPal)
Register offline (mail check to Roofscapes, Inc.)

Questions: Contact Tamika Hinson, 215.247.8784, thinson@roofmeadow.com.

Visit the Roofscapes, Inc. website.

February 26-28: Innovations for the Built Environment 2008, London, England

Innovations for the Built Environment exhibition will be held at Earls Court in London, UK on February 26-28, 2008 and includes Ecobuild, Futurebuild and Cityscape. Ecobuild is Europe's biggest event dedicated to sustainable design, construction and the built environment and contains biggest showcase of sustainable construction products in the UK – more than 500 exhibitors and thousands of products and services. If you're interested in urban design and the public realm, a visit to Cityscape will give you a fresh perspective. If you are interested in offsite and innovations in construction, a visit to Futurebuild will give you a fresh perspective.

Whatever your interest in sustainable design, construction and the built environment, a visit to Ecobuild will give you a fresh perspective.

Want to learn? Over 100 individual conference and seminar sessions are yours, most of which are free.

Want to find new products? Take your pick from 500+ exhibitors.

Looking for inspiration? Find it in one of the thought-provoking new attractions.

Want to voice an opinion? The floor is yours in The Arena.

Need a shortcut to the big issues? Take a tour around the hottest issues – zero carbon, water management, renewables, natural materials, urban design, offsite.

3 days, 500 exhibitors, 100 information sessions, 500 expert speakers, 20,000 visitors – see things differently.

Read:
Show preview: Innovations for the Built Environment
Contract Journal, by James Stagg
February 6, 2008

London, England. "...At this year's Innovations for the Built Environment exhibition (Earls Court, 26-28 February) - which includes Ecobuild, Futurebuild and Cityscape - more manufacturers than ever will be present to push the benefits of green roofs. Laying down the case for green roofs alongside them will be Dusty Gedge, a long-time campaigner, who will be detailing their advantages and opportunities as part of the show's seminar programme..."

Visit the Innovations for the Built Environment 2008 website.

February 20-24: 2008 Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Seattle, WA, USA
Source: Patrick Carey, hadj Design

You were invited to join the fun at this year's annual celebration.  An entertaining floral funfest for you and your friends.  Thousands upon thousands of flowers and plants with all their rich colors, fragrances and textures.  Six acres of inspiring gardens, free seminars for all gardening levels, and shopping at 350 exhibits all strictly related to gardening, outdoor living and gardeners.

DIG IN to our FREE seminars and learn how to create livable outdoor spaces and luscious gardens for year-round sanctuary. Here’s your chance to get the scoop on over 110 exciting topics, for both the novice gardener and the veteran plant collector. Discover ways to design small space gardens, beautify your condo balcony, develop family-friendly outdoor living space or downsize a large garden for ease and simplicity. We have talks on containers, water features, patio-building, composting, floral arranging, trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, groundcovers and more – we’ve got it covered! Our speakers will show you how to solve landscaping problems and inspire new gardening creativity.

On Saturday, February 23, make sure you attend the "Green Roofs & Living Walls: The Latest Trend in Environmental Design" by Patrick Carey, Owner, hadj Design & green roof specialist (and Architecture Editor here at Greenroofs.com) in the Hood Room.

Visit the 2008 Northwest Flower & Garden Show website.

February 19-23: NRCA Convention & International Roofing Expo 2008, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Source: NRCA

NRCA's 121st Annual Convention and International Roofing Expo 2008 was held Feb 19-23, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Held in conjunction with Hanley Wood's International Roofing Expo (IRE), NRCA's 121st Annual Convention provides you with great ideas, innovative solutions, and the opportunity to connect and re-connect with great people.

During the expo, attendees will have the opportunity to attend a variety of educational programs and speeches, as well as peruse the trade-show floor where roofing-related product manufacturers exhibit their wares. In addition, attendees can network with fellow roofing professionals from around the world; see the newest industry products, equipment and services; and learn from the industry's leading experts.

Visit the NRCA website.

February 21: Toronto Botanical Garden's Green Roof Conference, Toronto, Canada
Source: Terry McGlade, Gardens in the Sky

Toronto Botanical Garden hosted a conference on Green Roofs on February 21, 2008.  The conference is targeted to the professional designer, horticulturist, building construction professional, engineer, urban planner and the keen homeowner who would like to be able to get the complete picture on the how’s and why’s of green roofs and to meet the people who can do all aspects of the work.  The content covered design, plants, biodiversity and technical considerations.  The day culminated in a cocktail reception designed to allow people to network and meet the professionals.

Toronto Botanical Garden is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of the Green Roof Conference through:

· Decreasing the amount of solid waste produced by the event
· Reducing energy and water consumption at the event
· Minimizing or off-setting harmful emissions resulting from vehicular transportation and energy consumption in association with the event
· Disposing of solid and liquid waste in an environmentally responsible manner
· Eliminating the use of harmful chemicals at or for the event.

Speakers:

Opening Remarks
Joe Pantalone, City of Toronto

Keynote Speaker
TBD

Best Practices for Green Roofs: 30 Years of Advanced Green Roof Technology
Jörg Breuning, Green Roof Service, LLC

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities: What We Do
Steven Peck, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

Horticulture & The Rooftop Environment
Rick Buist, Landsource Organix Ltd.

Designing Green Roofs and Roof Gardens: How to Achieve our Objectives
Marie-Anne Boivin, Soprema Canada

Lunch & Keynote Speaker
Plants for Green Roofs
Ed Snodgrass, Emory Knoll Farms Inc.

Getting the Real Dirt on Vegetated Roofs
Scott Wylie, Wytech Building Envelope Solutions Inc.

Green Roofs I Have Known and Loved
Terry McGlade, Perennial Gardens Corp. & Gardens in the Sky

Practical Considerations on the Design and Installation of Green Roofs: The Waterproofing Challenge
Douglas Fishburn, Fishburn Building Sciences Group Inc.

Design & Installation of the Green Roof on the Award Winning ASLA Building in Washington, DC
Stephen Noone, Michael van Valkenburgh Associates Inc.

Ecological Modeling on Green Roofs
Mathis Natvik, Natvik Ecological

Visit the Toronto Botanical Garden, and Green Roofs Conference website.

February 15: The 2008 Federal Environmental Symposia Call for Presentations, USA
Source: Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (OFEE)

The 2008 Federal Environmental Symposia Call for Presentations is now closed and ran through Friday, February 15, 2008. Presentation opportunities are open to the Federal community: employees, contractors serving in direct support roles to Federal agencies (and presenting topics solely related to these functions), and individuals from industry, academia, and state and local governments working on Federally-focused projects or participating in Federal partnerships (and presenting topics solely related to these functions).

This year's Symposia will continue to focus on meeting the goals of Executive Order (EO) 13423 while expanding into additional areas of interest and concern. The overarching theme for this year is how EO 13423 is progressing. In an effort to reach more of the Federal community, there will be two Symposia:

Symposium East - Bethesda, MD: June 2-4, 2008
Symposium West - Big Sky, MT: June 17-19, 2008

Symposium East will be held June 2-4, 2008, supported by the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive and hosted by the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Symposium West will follow on June 17-19, and is supported by the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, sponsored by the Commander Navy Region Southwest Integrated Solid Waste Program and hosted by Yellowstone National Park. To make these Symposia a success, please consider participating in one or both of the conferences as a presenter - to convey information, generate discussion, and highlight your organization's own achievements and challenges in this extensive field. Presentation categories include:

*Environmental Management Systems
*Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
*Sustainability/Green Buildings: Low-impact development/Stormwater management (e.g., pervious pavement, green roofs)
*Green Purchasing
*Pollution Prevention and Toxics
*Fleet Petroleum Reduction and Alternative Fuel Use
*Recycling/Waste Management
*Energy
*Electronics Stewardship
*General Interest/Miscellaneous

See the List of Potential Topics (.doc file).  With such a broad array of topics, these events promise to be exciting and informative gatherings.

It is important to note again that this is limited to Feds and those working on Federally-focused projects. We are not looking for anything sales related! Presentation opportunities are open to Federal employees, contractors serving in direct support roles to Federal agencies (and presenting topics solely related to these functions), and individuals from industry, academia, and state and local governments working on Federally-focused projects or participating in Federal partnerships (and presenting topics solely related to these functions). Selected presenters will be notified beginning March 10, 2008.

Visit the FedCenter website.

February 14: 6th International FBB Green Roof Symposia 2008, Ditzingen, Germany
Internationales FBB-Gründach-Symposium - Neues aus Forschung und Praxis
Source: EFB

Presented by the EFB - European Federation of Green Roof Associations, the 6th International Green Roof Symposia 2008 was held on the 14th of February 2008 at the Town Hall in Ditzingen, Germany.  Symposia with contributions of research and practice.  Presented in German.

Contact Info:
Application E: info@fbb.de or T: 0049 (0) 681 9880570

See the programme here (in German).

Read more from the FBB in German here, and visit the EFB - European Federation of Green Roof Associations website.

February 12: Green Drinks NYC, New York, NY, USA
Source: greendrinks.org

WHAT: Green Drinks NYC ~ Every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 100 or so New Yorkers who are interested in exploring all things green and sustainable meet at different fabulous locations around the city.  It’s a great chance to mix with other green-minded folks, share info and make new friends.  Open to everyone.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 12, 2007.  6 – 10pm.

WHERE: This month at: ~ "Boucarou Lounge", 64 East 1st Street (bet 1st Ave and 2nd Ave) NY NY
tel: 212 529 3262, see web for details: http://www.boucaroulounge.com/.  Take the F or V train to 2nd Avenue.

COST: $10 suggested donation.

POWER: Bring your electric bill, sign up for Wind Power and your entrance is free!  So far Green Drinks has helped close to 300 people switch over to Wind Energy.

HOW: Walk, cycle, bus, subway, pedicab, ozocar or taxi (ok if more than two passengers).  Just go up to someone and say "are you green?", and you'll be made welcome.

REMIND: To get on this circulation, SIGN UP RIGHT HERE.

2 MIN PITCH: We want to hear from you!  Write to nycgreendrinks@gmail.com to sign up for a 2 min pitch to tell us about the various projects you are working on and be sure to write "pitch" in subject line.

WHO: Anyone who likes networking and being social.

WHY: Fun, contacts, alcohol, info, gossip, inspiration, business and pleasure.

! STATUS: Informal, self-organizing network.

GLOBAL: London | Berlin | Bristol | Bath | Canberra | Hamburg | Munich | Oxford | Reading | Warsaw | Tokyo | Washington, DC | Peterborough | San Francisco | Chicago | Sacramento | New York City | Providence | Twin Cities | Portland, OR | Seattle | Houston ~ 129 cities worldwide!

Green Drinks is a low key, informal, self-organizing network who meet at a different place each month with people who work in the environmental field for a beer - it's a chance to mix with others to network, share info and make friends.  It is a lively group of people who work in the areas of: architecture, energy, film, finance, publishing, fundraising, graphic design, sustainability in business, eco-materials, interior design, fashion design, law as well as folks in the non-profit and for-profit worlds.  

Organizers feel this might be a way for greenroofs folks to connect with other green folks in the city, and suggest you take a chance to mix with other like-minded folks, to network, share info and make friends.  Just go up to someone and say "are you green?", and you'll be made welcome.

Visit the greendrinks.org website.

February 9-12: US Composting Council Conference & Trade Show, Oakland, CA, USA
Source: US Composting Council

The Largest Conference & Exhibition in North America for the Composting, Wood Waste, & Organics Recycling Industry was held at the Oakland City Center Marriott in Oakland, California.  Featuring 10 Pre-conference Training Courses and Workshops | Outstanding Conference Program with more than 100 Educational & Technical Presentations | Trade Show with more than 100 Exhibitors | "Live" Equipment Demonstrations by 20 Equipment Manufacturers.

This is the most comprehensive program available anywhere, featuring more than 100 Educational & Technical Sessions, 10 Training Courses & Workshops, more than 100 Exhibitors, and "Live" Equipment Demonstrations by 20 Manufacturers. And, for the First Time in California, the Exposition was being sponsored by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, The City of San Jose, The City and County of San Francisco, The City of Oakland, The California Integrated Waste Management Board, The South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA), The Wine Institute, Norcal Waste Services, Z-Best Products, and 35 additional local, regional and national companies and organizations.

Visit the US Composting Council Conference & Trade Show website to review the Outstanding Conference Program, Conference Sessions, Workshops, and Training Courses, including the GRHC Green Roofs 101 Course.

February 6-9: Third Australian New Urbanism Congress, Brisbane, Australia
Source: Congress for the New Urbanism

The Australian Council for New Urbanism (ACNU) held its third Congress in sub-tropical Brisbane, in the first week of February 2008. Keynote speakers included Victor Dover and Shelley Poticha from the U.S. and Paul Murrain from the UK, in addition to leading Australian new urbanist practitioners, including Evan Jones, Chip Kaufman, Wendy Morris, Peter Richards, and Clive Alcock. The Congress showcased the current status of New Urbanism in Australia, and debated some key challenges facing New Urbanism down under, including sustainable regional structuring, university integration and transit-planning, achieving viable neighborhood centers, and delivering mixed-use main-street-based town centers.

The program included tours to projects in South East Queensland, covering both urban regeneration and new communities. The Congress was held at the Kelvin Grove Urban Village, a new integrated university village, located near one of Brisbane's new showcase busways. This location provides a great opportunity for delegates to experience first-hand this innovative, Government-facilitated mixed use centre combining education, residential, retail, health, and business into a vibrant new precinct.

The three-day congress was preceded by a three-day Master Class Design Workshop, focused on a challenging but strategic site in western Brisbane, led by Australian and overseas design experts; and by a Charrette Training Course, run by Bill Lennertz from NCI, in conjunction with Australian charrette experts.

Visit the Australian Council for New Urbanism website.

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February 2-3: Boston Going Green Expo, Boston, MA, USA
Source: RenewableEnergyAccess.com

The First Annual Boston Going Green Energy & Living Exposition "Taking Green to the Mainstream" was held on February 2 & 3, 2008 at Bayside Expo Center, in Boston, MA.  Hosted by Going Green Magazine and Heart of NH Publishing.  What makes these expositions unique and powerful is our focus on reaching mainstream consumers with the “going green” message. Stressing the importance and the cost effectiveness of taking a more sustainable approach to living and reducing their own personal carbon footprint.

We purposefully chose the active verb title to denote that the vast majority of consumers attending these expositions will be those in the primary stages of developing a more sustainable lifestyle. For sponsors and exhibitors, this means that attendees will be more prone to making major consumption choices. This may seem ironic to some – given the focus of the expositions. However, the ultimate net effect will be lower energy use and smaller individual carbon footprints. Sponsors and exhibitors both will find themselves positioned to reap the benefits of the primary stage economic growth associated with the Green Revolution.

These expositions are geared toward individual consumers and business consumers at the initial stages of building a more sustainable profile for themselves and their businesses.

Admission: $10.00 Adults Children Under 16 free

Visit the Boston Going Green Expo website.

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January 31-February 2: EFB International Conference & General Meeting, Budapest, Hungary
Source: Prof. Dr. Manfred Köhler

The "Greenroof Standards, Guidelines, Regulations and Trends 2008" International Conference and the EFB General Meeting in Budapest, Hungary, was organized by the European Federation of Green Roof Associations and The Hungarian Ministry of Environment and Water.  The conference was held in the English language.

Contact Info:
office@efb-bauwerksbegruenung.com

Visit the EFB - European Federation of Green Roof Associations website.

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January 25-27: Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show, Eugene, OR, USA
Source: RenewableEnergyAccess.com

The 3rd Annual Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show was held on January 25-27, 2008 at the Lane County Fairgrounds, in Eugene, Oregon. Good Earth Home presented 250 exhibits of eco-friendly, efficient and sustainable products, ideas, services, agencies, businesses and trades. Eight product pavilions created a central marketplace: Organic Gardening, Efficient/Greener/Healthier Homes, ReUse/Recycle, Good Transportation, Sustainable Table, Living, Art/Books, and Eco-Adventure/Travel.

This smart and stylish show presents over 40 home, garden and living seminars featuring national green design experts, alternative energy experts, and our local bee keepers! The Good Earth Café will be serving up organic food and libations. Local musicians will be playing on stage. Our speaking authors will be signing books at the U of O Bookstore Exhibit. And our signature chickens will be migrating back over the aisles!

This fun and fresh event drew over 50,000 Oregonians from Ashland to Portland, Bend to Newport. It serves as an regional event that creates a central marketplace for Oregonians seeking more earth friendly options, education, and technology. This award winning show is not only the first sustainable home, garden & living show in North America... but also one of the best attended events in the state.

From our woodworkers to our designers record sales were made at this focused sustainable event. This event delivers an educated audience that wants information, and wants to invest in sustainable products and services. Exhibit space is priced at extreme discount at only $650 per a 10x10 booth - the pricing on this event is in support of Berg Productions mission to create a better community with healthier families, as well as smarter energy policy. The seminars are jammed packed with people wanting to learn and share - vendors can present educational seminars at no charge.

Eugene, and Oregon in general, is the ideal place to launch green/clean tech and renewable energy products. And no other venue will deliver over 50,000 people in just 21 hours. Call us today to join this sell out show! Phone 541-484-9247 for the exhibitor prospectus.

Admission is FREE with a canned food donation for FOOD for Lane County. Held at the Lane County Convention Center/Fairgrounds where parking is free, although we highly suggest you hop on LTD Bus or Bike to the three day event! Berg Productions contracts Recycling for all our home and garden events with the City of Eugene and Waste Free Oregon. We raised over 20,000 pounds of food to date on this event.

Start out the New Year ’08 at America’s 1st Sustainable Home & Garden Show Returns – it’s packed with new ideas, technology, and choices for living the Good Life in a Healthier and Cleaner Community.

Visit the Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show website.

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January 21-23: 1st World Future Energy Summit, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Source: RenewableEnergyAccess.com
 
Presented by IMEX Management, Inc., the 1st World Future Energy Summit (WFES) is a major world initiative to bring together the leaders of companies and the innovators of technologies that are developing solutions for the world's demand for alternative and renewable energies.  The World Future Energy Summit 2008 was held at the brand new, state of the art Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, in the United Arab Emirates on January 21-23, 2008.

WFES 08 showcased the latest innovations in technology, opportunities in the region, and the ideas of the leading companies and experts in the field. This is the event where deals are made, investment opportunities are identified, project funds are secured; and where investors, supplier and clients converge. You can participate by:

Exhibiting your latest products and processes
Presenting a topic at the conference
Submitting a paper
Offering venture capital
Presenting investment opportunities
Hosting clients at networking events
Taking advantage of unique sponsorship opportunities
Influencing the policies debated

WFES provides an international forum where new and traditional energies meet. Entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and experts in all disciplines of renewable energies will benefit greatly from attending and networking at the World Future Energy Summit.

Cost: USD $500/sqm

Contact Info:
United States Agent:

Sarah Vacchiano-Welch
IMEX Management, Inc.
Tel 704.365.0041
Fax 704.365.8426
sarahw@imexmgt.com

Visit the World Future Energy Summit website.

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January 18: Tropical Plant Industry Exposition Roundtable Discussions, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
Source: Lawn & Landscape Magazine

The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the National Interiorscape Network (NIN), and Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) are co-sponsoring a series of five roundtable discussions at the upcoming Tropical Plant Industry Exposition (TPIE). The roundtable discussions are scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 18 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel (1100 SE 17th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), near the Broward County Convention Center (where TPIE is held).

Topics for the roundtables include recruiting service technicians, sales commission alternatives, measuring and improving technician productivity, professional holiday lighting, and green buildings/green roofs.

There was no cost for this event and anyone interested was invited to attend, but you must have registered by Jan. 9 by calling the PLANET office at 800.395.2522 or 703.736.9666. Please be sure to include all of the names and company name of those planning to attend.

Visit the Professional Landcare Network website.

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