June 6, 2020 is the inauguration of World Green Roof Day #WGRD2020

Join us and your colleagues from all over the Earth in showcasing greenroofs on Saturday, June 6!

We here at Greenroofs.com are very happy to help promote this international event. Aramis and I had a fun time at Rock Mill Park here a few days ago in Alpharetta, Georgia while creating our pieces for Dusty Gedge who put the promo videos together.

What is #WGRD?

Don’t miss Aramis passionately doing his piece in Spanish here:

#WGRD2020 and GRO

World Green Roof Day #WGRD2020 was created by Chris Bridgman of Bridgman & Bridgman in part to push the establishment of the new GRO (Green Roof Organisation, website live soon) in the UK but in the main to celebrate greenroofs around the world.

Despite the restrictions created by the Coronavirus pandemic, this is an exciting time for GRO, say the leaders. The newly elected Board is proactively driving GRO forward and developing its influence on the UK Green, Blue and BioSolar roofing markets.

“This is an exciting time for the green roof sector and we recognise that as a Trade Association we are in a stronger position to further progress the needs of the sector, our members, and the supply chain. Phase one of Green Roof training is currently available and Phase two was launched in April 2020. Combined, these two phases facilitate the achievement of a CSCS card in green roofing.

To further strengthen the green roof industry we are working on an update to the GRO Code which will include Blue Roofs and Bio Solar Roofs with an ambition to launch around World Green Roof Day on 6th June 2020.” ~ GRO Chair Mark Harris

World Green Roof Day #WGRD2020 was quickly embraced by all GRO members including Dusty Gedge, President of the European Federation of Green Roof Associations(EFB) and Founder of Livingroofs.org. Up until now Livingroofs.org had been representing the UK at a European level because there had been no official trade body. Now the official body, GRO is sponsoring #WGRD2020 and as a board member Dusty will continue to represent the UK at a European and international level on behalf of GRO.

“Because of my EFB presidency and connections around the world, I was asked to front it and to help ensure it is a global event – I have reached out to all continents around the world – so let’s celebrate green roofs around the world – and create more in the very near future.” ~ Dusty Gedge

Spread the #WGRD2020 word on social media on June 6

As I always say, “Love the Earth, Plant a Roof (or Wall),” but on World Green Roof Day, June 6th, we’re focusing on greenroofs! We want you to post your favorite photos and videos of a wide assortment of greenroofs from across the globe on your own favorite social media using #WGRD2020.

“So get your pictures ready – whether it be on a shed or on a large retail unit. Every green roof counts. Tell your town or city or country why you think green roofs are important. And if they are not happening in your area – make a call to action to the authorities, companies and politicians.

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #WGRD2020 and help us celebrate making cities greener and more climate resilient by using green roofs.” ~ Dusty Gedge

Watch a short video of my own three favorite greenroofs (very hard to select just a handful!) which we posted on June 6 for #WGRD2020:

Follow #WGRD2020 & sign up for info and updates

Image: Linda S. Velazquez

Follow #WGRD2020 on Twitter and Instagram.

Its organizers would love to hear any ideas you may have to help celebrate the day. Want to be an official #WGRD2020 supporter? Visit the website to sign up and they’ll be in touch!

Join us ~ everyone’s invited

While World Green Roof Day #WGRD2020 may have been started by a UK organization, its intent and reach to support greenroofs is worldwide and be inclusive of all the many greenroof organizations, associations, universities, governments, companies, and individuals.

Get your images and videos of greenroofs – big and small, food farms, public greenspaces, sedum covers, and all those in between – ready for posting on Saturday, June 6, 2020 with #WGRD2020. Let’s make the inauguration of World Green Roof Day impactful and make a resounding social media splash with lovely, breathing greenroofs.

Please share widely and ask your colleagues to participate in World Green Roof Day #WGRD2020, too!

By Linda S. Velazquez, ASLA, LEED AP, GRP
Greenroofs.com Publisher & Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summits Host

Watch #VirtualSummit2019 Speaker Videos and EXPO and Speaker Q&A Videos on demand through 2020 with FREE Registration!

About GRO, the official UK body

The Green Roof Organisation (GRO) was founded in 2009 as a Special Interest Group and has completed its transition into a Trade Association and not-for-profit legal entity in the UK. A new 12-person board has been elected by the membership and the GRO Board elected Mark Harris of Radmat Building Products Ltd as Chairman, Chris Bridgman of Bridgman & Bridgman as Vice-Chair, and Chris Roddick of Bauder as Company Secretary.

GRO’s Vision is for every city and town in the United Kingdom to require high quality green roofs on new build flat roofs, whether for amenity, biodiversity gain, rainfall management or simply their pure beauty. They will aim to drive the retrofitting of green roofs to existing buildings, where structurally possible, for the same reasons.

GRO’s Mission is to support the delivery of high quality self-sustaining green roofs whilst informing the United Kingdom’s legislators, building developers, occupiers and educators about the wide range of environmental, social, health and curriculum benefits.