SYMBIOS

More than 400 Green Roofs Professionals (GRPS) are Now in the Marketplace

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) – the North American industry association promoting green roofs and walls products and services – is pleased to announce that there are now more than 400 accredited Green Roof Professionals (GRPs) conducting business in the marketplace since the first exam was launched in June 2009. These individuals have successfully completed a multi-disciplinary exam encompassing five areas of concentration including pre-design, design, contract management, quality assurance and support, and maintenance. GRP accreditation verifies that the individual has attained the level of interdisciplinary knowledge of best practices associated with the successful design, installation and maintenance of green roof systems. GRP accreditation also provides continuing education credits for AIA, ASLA, APA and LEED.

The green roof industry in North America is rapidly expanding and the need for trained professionals who are familiar with green roof benefits, design, implementation, and technology has never been greater! Accredited Green Roof Professionals (GRPs) are ideally positioned to be a critical member of any green roof team, possessing knowledge of the special requirements and challenges of green roofs from design through to maintenance.

There are a number of jurisdictions and contractors that are now recognizing the GRP in their statements of qualifications.  The GRP designation provides a potential client with an easy reference point and all of the GRPs are listed at http://www.greenroofs.org. 

Kerrie Lee Cole of SYMBIOS, based in Sonoma County (Northern California) received a Green Roof Professional accreditation from GRHC (Green Roofs for Healthy Cities) in the inaugural class of 2009.

California Board Green Lights Cap-and-Trade Program

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) endorsed the cap-and-trade regulation, marking a significant milestone toward reducing California’s greenhouse gas emissions under its AB 32 law.  ARB’s cap-and-trade regulation, along with several complementary measures, will drive the development of green jobs and set the state on track to a clean energy future. 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/newsrelease.php?id=170

 
EPA Issues New Federal Stormwater Requirements

The EPA issued new federal guidelines for managing stormwater for all federal government facilities. Any new federal project over 5000 square feet shall use site planning, design, construction and maintenance strategies to restore the redevelopment hydrology of the property.

http://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater/requirements.htm

Fire & Wind Design Standards Accepted by ANSI-

Resulting from years of development and promoted by GRHC and SPRI, these new code guidelines have been accepted by the American National Standards Institute, ANSI. The next step is to have them accepted and included in the 2012 International Building Code (IBC).