A new green building accreditation process has been created by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. The Green Roof Professional (GRP) accreditation program consists of several courses, with training offered in cities across the United States. Upon completing the courses, an exam must be passed prior to receiving GRP accreditation.

 

Courses currently offered as part of the GRP process include Design 101 Introduction Course, Design & Installation 201, Waterproofing & Drainage 301, Plants and Growing Media 401, and a Green Walls 101 course.

 

The concept behind the program sprung out of the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities' first conference, which was held in Chicago in 2003. Since that time, a team of dedicated members have focused on creating the accreditation program including defining its objectives, the creation of occupational standards, and the development of the GRP exam.

 

Fast forward to July 2009, the first group of professionals has received GRP accreditation. Among this group is Meg Needle, an Atlanta-based architect with Lord, Aeck & Sargent. Needle is also a LEED AP and has worked on several green roof projects in the Atlanta-area, including the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center and the Southface Eco Office.

 

GRP courses are offered on an individual basis but a Green Roof Boot Camp is also offered in select cities. Attendees at the boot camp attend each of the four core GRP courses over four consecutive days. Upcoming boot camps are scheduled for Sept 10-13 in Toronto, October 1-4 in New York, and October 8-11 in San Francisco.

 

For more information on the program, or to register for an upcoming course, visit the Green Roof Professional Accreditation website.