Southern California’s stormwater challenges are creating new opportunities for landscape architects to rethink how cities are built. The SoCal Grey to Green Conference takes place on Thursday, December 3, 2026, in Costa Mesa, bringing together researchers and industry professionals to explore practical ways to integrate green infrastructure into the local landscape.
From green roofs and living walls to permeable landscapes and rooftop solar, green infrastructure can help manage stormwater, reduce urban heat, support biodiversity, provide jobs, and make local communities more climate-resilient. The conference will explore how these strategies can be adapted to Southern California’s climate, where water conservation and extreme heat are central to design considerations.
Speakers and presentations include:
- Dr. Jennifer Bousselot, Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University
- Rooftop Agrivoltaics in Semiarid Colorado: A Triple Win
- Bruce Dvorak, FASLA, PLA, Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University
- Green Roofs in Mediterranean Climates
- Dr. Elizabeth Fassman-Beck, Engineering Department Head, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
- Green Infrastructure in Southern California
- Vishal Seth, Technical Director, Skyland USA (Rooflite): Engineered Soil Mechanics
- Designing Green Roof Profiles for Weight, Hydrology, and Stormwater Performance
- Tom Liptan, Green Infrastructure Consultant and Researcher
- Stormwater Design Considerations
- Alan Burchell, GRP, Principal, Urbanstrong
- Solar and Green Roof Integration
This conference is great for professionals wanting to connect with others and work towards having more local green infrastructure. It’s also an affordable opportunity for students looking to learn more about the sector.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, 3535 Harbor Blvd., Suite 110, Costa Mesa. Registration is $39 USD and includes lunch, with free on-site parking. Continuing education credits have been submitted for AIA and ASLA Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW). Credits earned can also be applied toward GRP and GRIMP certifications.
Published in Blog, Featured, News, Stormwater
