Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the Minnesota Green Roofs Council Convene the Minnesota Green Roof Symposium
St. Paul, Minn. and Toronto, Ont. (PRWEB) May 21, 2014 -- Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) and the Minnesota Green Roofs Council (MGRC) announced that they will conduct the Minnesota Green Roof Symposium on Thursday, June 19, 2014. The Symposium will take place at the Anderson Center (Room 112) on the campus of Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Symposium will give participants the opportunity to learn about green roofs and explore how to make Minnesota a leader in the application of green roofs to benefit the state’s environment and economy.
“Today, more than 200 green roofs protect the quality of the state’s critical watersheds,” said Kevin J. Slattery, vice president of architectural sales, Edwards Sales (Chaska, Minn.) and president, Minnesota Green Roofs Council (MGRC). “We are holding the Minnesota Green Roof Symposium to bring together stakeholders from the private, public and non-profit sectors to discuss how we can work together to accelerate the development of the state’s green roof market and extend the benefits of green roofs all across the state.”
“The Symposium can begin to shape more rapid green roof development in Minnesota,” said Steven Peck, president, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (Toronto, Ont.).
Michael Krause, principal, Kandiyo Consulting (Minneapolis, Minn.) will be a featured speaker at the event. “In the land of 10,000 lakes, people are concerned about, and committed to, restoring and improving the state’s water quality. If we could greatly expand the application of green roof technology, green roofs could make a far greater contribution to protecting the state’s watersheds,” he said.
The Symposium will offer presentations on green roof technologies and design practices; the benefits of green roofs (including their capacity to manage stormwater and reduce energy use in buildings); examples of successful green roofs; and policies proven effective in encouraging investment in green roofs. The afternoon sessions will feature a panel discussion on advocating for green roofs as a stormwater management best practice in Minnesota.
The advance registration fee is $99 and $49 for students. Attendees will receive presentation materials, a USB key containing more than 350 technical papers, and a copy of Living Architecture Monitor, the GRHC magazine. Registration also includes a complimentary continental breakfast, lunch, and a reception in a trade show area with green roof industry exhibitors. Registration information is available online at Minnesota Green Roof Symposium or by phone at 416-971-4494, ext. 223.
About Green Roofs
A green roof — also known as a “vegetated roof,” “living roof”, or “eco-roof” — is an extension of an existing roof which involves a high-quality waterproofing and root repellent system, a drainage system, filter cloth, lightweight growing medium, and plants. Green roofs can provide a wide range of public and private benefits. These include reducing the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff, improving stormwater quality, moderating the urban heat island effect, adding urban green space, and improving buildings’ thermal performance and energy efficiency.
The Minnesota Green Roofs Council is offering a Minneapolis Green Roof Bike Tour on Sunday, June 22, 2014. The guided bike tour will include visits to five of the green roofs that safeguard water quality in the city’s Chain of Lakes and the Mississippi River.
About the Minnesota Green Roofs Council (MGRC)
Founded in 2006, the Minnesota Green Roofs Council (MGRC) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that promotes green roofs as a building strategy in Minnesota. The MGRC seeks to support statewide and local initiatives to make accurate information about green roofs available to all Minnesotans; ensure that the general public and leaders in government and the private sector are aware of the environmental and economic advantages and benefits of green roofs; and advance supportive policies that encourage the installation of green roofs. More information is available online at http://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaGreenRoofsCouncil and http://www.mngreenroofs.org.
About Green Roofs for Health Cities (GRHC)
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), a not-for-profit 501(c)(6), is North America’s green roof and wall industry association. GRHC’s mission is to develop and protect the market by increasing the awareness of the economic, social and environmental benefits of green roofs, green walls, and other forms of living architecture through education, advocacy, professional development and celebrations of excellence. More information on GRHC is available at http://www.greenroofs.org.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC)
Paul Erlichman
Membership Coordinator
416-971-4494, ext. 223
perlichman[at]greenroofs[dot]org
Minnesota Green Roofs Council (MGRC)
David Aquilina
Strategic Storyteller
612-716-5628
davida[at]strategicstoryteller[dot]com
David Aquilina, Minnesota Green Roofs Council, http://www.mngreenroofs.org, +1 612-716-5628, [email protected]
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