Green Roof Infrastructure Network (GRIN) Established in British Columbia to Promote Use of Green Roofs

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is very pleased to announce the formation of the Green Roof Infrastructure Network (GRIN) on Coast Salish territory (Vancouver, BC).

The Green Roof Infrastructure Network (GRIN) was established to advance the widespread implementation and appropriate planning, design and maintenance of green roof and rainwater infrastructure in BC. The nonprofit hit the ground running with a popular booth that established a green roof presence at the recent Union of BC Municipalities Convention, attracting municipal, local government, and regional district representatives from across the province.

“As an interdisciplinary network that cultivates and supports green roof champions, GRIN’s aim is to unite leading thinkers and actors from policy-making, non-profit, academic, industry, and community organizing. GRIN is founded by a core of committed professionals, who look forward to growing our membership with inclusion and diversity.” said GRIN coordinator and co-founder, Christine Thuring. “Together we are stronger.”

The non-profit emerged from the Vancouver Green Roof info Think-Tank (GRiTT), which was inspired by the Portland GRiT in 2017. The GRIN will continue to offer green roof tours while also supporting policy development, dissemination of research, and outreach and education.

Green roofs and infrastructure is based on the principals of living architecture, incorporating living components into our built environment.

GRIN is an interdisciplinary network of green roof champions united to advance the widespread implementation and appropriate policies, planning, design and maintenance of green roofs and stormwater infrastructure in BC. GRIN strives to bring together leading thinkers from policy-making, non-profit, academic, industry, and community organizations.

GRIN is partnering with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities in the Cascadia Grey to Green Conference on Nov. 3, as well as its Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Training on Nov. 2, 2023.

GRIN’s founding members include Dr. Christine Thuring, Goya Ngan, Holly Horne, Josh Stewart, Dr. Karen Liu, Dr. Kathy Dunster, Randy Sharp and Ryan Vasseur.

The nonprofit will hold an Annual General Meeting in the new year, at which time more directors will be sought to expand the horizons and applications of green roofs and green infrastructure in this province.