ASLA Oregon

May 7, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

Mt Hood Section PDH Event

via Joyce Jackson, ASLA, Mt. Hood Section Co-Chair

Tour the June Delta Key Community Center –
A Living Building Challenge Demonstration Project

If you attended or missed but wanted to attend the Living Cities, How Do We Get There? session at the recent ASLA Oregon symposium and want to learn more about the living building challenge process, come to the MT Hood chapter meeting at the June Key Delta Community Center on May 31st.

Architect Mark Nye will be there to discuss how this community center was developed from an old gas station site and how it was transformed into a community asset with minimal environmental impacts.

Topics will include:
• An overview of the building and site’s fulfillment of the Living Building Challenge ‘petals’.
• Transformation of a brown field site to a usable property.
• Inclusion of the community in the programming and design process.
• Provisions for opportunities in urban agriculture and food education
• Collecting and reusing stormwater on site.

Spend an hour on the tour and then mingle with your colleagues at the Community Center.

(2) HSW PDH's are being offered at this event!.
Thursday, May 31 2012
5940 North Albina Ave., Portland, OR

Agenda:
5:30-5:45 - Gather together
5:45-6:45 - Tour and talk
6:45-7:45 - Social hour

Cost:
Free!

Maul Foster Alongi will be sponsoring the event by providing snacks and drinks.

Please RSVP to this event!

For more information and to RSVP email Joyce Jackson:
jjackson@maulfoster.com

May 2, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

Urban Design Panel Charrette

Event Notice:

AIA/APA/ASLA Urban Design Panel Central City 2035 Charrette

Date and Time: Thursday, June 7, 2012, 8am to 5pm
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Craft, 724 NW Davis, Portland, OR. (evening open house to follow)
Partner: Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Urban Design Studio

Interested in attending?
ASLA Oregon is accepting applications from our membership to represent our profession and fill 9 to 12 spots at this joint AIA/APA/ASLA event. Please provide a one page written description/application (include name, contact info, business, and short explanation of “why I am uniquely interested/qualified to participate”) on or before May 11, 2012 to ASLA Oregon Immediate Past-President Jim Hencke at hencke@pbworld.com. Applications will be reviewed at the May 14, 2012 ASLA Oregon Executive Committee Meeting and notice of selections will be made later that week.
Questions? Call Jim Hencke @ 503-478-2353.

April 4, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

ASLA Report to Our Members

via Nancy C. Somerville, Hon. ASLA
Executive Vice President and CEO
American Society of Landscape Architects

American Society of Landscape Architects
Annual 2011: A Report to Our Members

As we dive into what promises to be another very busy year for ASLA, I wanted to take a moment to review our accomplishments in 2011. Despite a very challenging economy that has affected us all, ASLA members and their Society made real progress in raising awareness of the profession and ensuring that the profession’s voice was heard.

On August 17, 1,000 volunteers hit the streets, the parks, and the sidewalks in their communities to share examples of landscape architecture projects and to explain the benefits your work brings to people’s lives. More than 250 events, half of which involved direct, one-on-one discussions, happened almost simultaneously. Collectively, these events generated more than 80 news stories in all media, reaching an estimated 15 million people.

So who says one person can’t make a difference? There are less than 30,000 people employed in the landscape architecture field in a nation of more than 312 million. Yet we were heard, big time. And we’ve only just begun.

Working hand-in-hand with our chapters and their dedicated public-awareness volunteers, we will continue that engagement with activities at the grassroots level supported by resources created by the national office. And this April chapters across the nation will once again celebrate National Landscape Architecture Month, introducing the profession to the public through a series of standalone events while also coordinating a common public outreach on April 26, Frederick Law Olmsted’s birthday.

On the PR and communications side, much of our energy—and creativity—continues to be focused on web communications, because of the ability of the web to reach the largest audience. In 2011, the site attracted 644,000 unique visitors and more than 5 million pageviews, continuing healthy year-to-year growth.

To complement the public awareness materials, we have developed special areas on the site to serve as resources for policy makers, educators, students, and members of the other design and construction industries.

As part of the 08.17.11 events, we launched www.asla.org/design, a basic introduction to the profession as a destination for the curious public. So far, it has received more than 55,000 pageviews.

Designing Our Future: Sustainable Landscapes features 30 case studies and eight animations that detail sustainable landscape design. These resources have attracted more than 370,000 pageviews thus far, and the animations have been viewed an additional 85,000 times.

To establish landscape architects in the forefront of discussions of key issues affecting the profession, we have developed detailed resource centers around topics such as transportation, green infrastructure, and livable communities, as well as corresponding resources for residential projects.

And we continue to leverage The Dirt blog to keep our voice in the mix. The blog is widely read and syndicated, consistently ranks among the top 10 on environmental subjects, and has received some 1.3 million pageviews since relaunch in 2009

These outreach efforts provide a solid foundation to support our equally significant progress on the advocacy front, in spite of the challenging political environment in Washington.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is in the midst of a critical national rulemaking on stormwater. The process started with an EPA-commissioned National Research Council study on the effectiveness of the Agency’s current stormwater program. NRC’s conclusion: Big pipes and grey infrastructure are not going to solve the problem, but green infrastructure and low-impact development can.

To support its rulemaking, EPA asked ASLA to help document the use and effectiveness of green infrastructure approaches. We turned to you, and set an ambitious goal of 300 projects. You responded with 479 case studies, covering 43 states, D.C, and Canada. We provided all that data to EPA, and those case studies are now catalogued and available on the ASLA website. These projects are a compelling demonstration of the value of green infrastructure—and the critical role of landscape architects.

Another priority focus this year has been transportation. With the surface transportation bill coming up for renewal, we are advocating for inclusion of a federal Complete Streets policy in the legislation, along with supporting essential existing programs that support transportation alternatives, enhance community livability, and provide jobs for landscape architects.

Many of these programs came under a barrage of attacks in 2011, especially the transportation enhancements program. An example: On October 17, ASLA’s government affairs staff learned of a serious threat: Senator John McCain was preparing to offer an amendment to a fiscal year 2012 spending bill to gut the transportation enhancements program.

Since McCain did not include bicycle and trail projects on his hit list, many of our usual coalition partners opted not to challenge the proposal. So ASLA took the lead. We prepared a letter in opposition, got 12 other organizations to sign on, and put the letter into the hands of each senator’s chief of staff, legislative director, and transportation legislative assistant. And we sent out a red alert to all of you through our Advocacy Network. You responded. We had the best performance from the Advocacy Network to date, with 655 activists sending 1,338 messages to their senators over the two days preceding the vote.

It worked. The roll-call vote on October 19 was 59 to 39 to table the amendment, essentially killing it.

Your grassroots-level advocacy, combined with our D.C.-based outreach efforts, not only reversed the threat, but also raised ASLA’s profile on Capitol Hill. ASLA was cited by the influential Democratic Policy Committee as an opponent of the amendment, and multiple senate staffers cited ASLA’s opposition and outreach as a major contributing factor to votes against the amendment.

Threats are continuing, and vigilance and quick action are still required. I commend you all for your support of ASLA and your direct involvement in issues of importance to the profession and to the country. It would be easy in such very difficult and stubborn financial times to lose faith and withdraw. That’s not our style, and the relative health of ASLA and the profession is testimony to that, as are such success stories as I’ve just shared.

There’s a lot more I could tell you about, like the changes I hope you’ve been noticing in our fantastic Landscape Architecture Magazine, the second-largest Annual Meeting and largest Expo in ASLA history, and the progress of our Sustainable Sites Initiative partnership. I urge you to stay engaged and help us help you, as you all did so effectively in 2011. Thank you all.

Nancy C. Somerville

March 30, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

March 2012 Newswire

March 29, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

Happy Birthday, FLO!

ASLA Oregon LANDbytes MARCH 2012 Feature:

Happy Birthday, FLO!
By Rebecca Wahlstrom

What are you doing on April 26? Join the coast to coast party, celebrating the 190th birthday of Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted with all your fellow ASLA members! April 26 is a day to remember and celebrate the man who first brought to the forefront many of the ideas that we practice today in Landscape Architecture. So gather some friends, blow out some birthday candles for Mr. Olmsted, and make a wish for the continuation of great designs that stand the test of time. 

Check out more fun ways to celebrate Landscape Architecture month at www.aslaoregon.org/updates/articles/national-landscape-architecture-month.

Visit ASLA Oregon's NLAM Webpage!

March 29, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

National Landscape Architecture Month!

ASLA Oregon LANDbytes MARCH 2012 Feature:

Get Ready! National Landscape Architecture Month is Coming!
By Rebecca Wahlstrom

April has been set aside by the ASLA as a month when activities happen nationwide to celebrate and promote the profession of landscape architecture. The focus of this month’s activities is “Public Health and Active Living 2012”, showing how we are addressing the major problems of obesity and chronic health problems due to lack of exercise by designing healthy community structures. This topic is a great fit for our active state – what a perfect chance to show people how we promote healthy lifestyles. Are there playgrounds or trail systems where you can show people how landscape architecture has been part of its creation? How about plaza’s where farmers markets happen or places where people wait to catch the MAX or bus? Can you get out there and let people know who designed that space? Now is the time to celebrate all you have done and promote the future of landscape architecture.

You might be asking, “what can I do?” Glad you asked! ASLA has put forward a whole webpage of ideas for activities along with detailed instructions and tips (and has a picture of Portland’s Mt. Tabor Middle School rain garden design). The below is just a sampling of what the website provides on the ‘Career Discovery Activities’ page. http://www.aslaoregon.org/updates/articles/national-landscape-architecture-month.  Boy Scout troops can learn about plants and earn a badge during your time with them; Connect with middle and high-school students and design a rain garden or reading garden; Are you a native plant expert? Visit your local high school and show them how essential native plants are to our landscape.

One doesn’t need to be hampered by this list – create your own activity that will appeal to you and the audience you wish to reach. Back on 8.17.11, the first roll-out of the Understory, the Bend folks led a design charrette, people in Springfield did a workplace information blast to enlighten their co-workers on what their department had accomplished, and Portland canvassed downtown parks. http://www.aslaoregon.org/blog/2011/9/14/dues-increase-effective-january-2012 What will Oregon do this time to celebrate landscape architecture? I believe our fit and active state is primed and ready to show off all that we have done to promote physical activity and public health to the general public and to the nation. Be creative – have fun – and be sure to let people know about landscape architecture in April!

Visit ASLA Oregon's NLAM Webpage!

March 17, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

April is National Landscape Architecture Month!

National Landscape Architecture Month 2012 (NLAM) Quick Links:

NLAM HOMEPAGE 

NLAM PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN 

NLAM POSTERS FOR DOWNLOAD

CAREER DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES

NLAM 2011 RECAP

FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED & THE CAMPAIGN FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

APRIL 2012 National, State and Local Activities:

04.04.12 COMMUNITY TREES FIELD CLASS

04.20.12 ASLA OREGON NORTH PARK BLOCK DESIGN CHARRETTE

04.20.12 ASLA OREGON EMERGING PROFESSIONALS SOCIAL

04.21.12 ASLA OREGON ENLIGHTENED LANDSCAPE[S] SYMPOSIUM

04.26.12 AND YOU

04.26.12 THE UNDERSTORY

04.26.12 UNIVERSITY OF OREGON A&AA CAREER SYMPOSIUM

March 14, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

NLAM, 04.26.12, and You

via LAND E-news from ASLA

We’re one month out from April, which promises to be the busiest National Landscape Architecture Month (NLAM) yet. Last year all 48 of ASLA’s chapters realized the benefits of public outreach during April, participating with a variety of amazing events, and this year will prove no different.

Alaska, for example, will continue with its Garden Design Workshop concept, but will expand it to three cities. Mark Kimerer, ASLA, the chapter’s president, cites the benefits of outreach and NLAM.

“The Garden Design Workshop is an opportunity for local landscape architects and designers to reach out into the community and teach what they know to enthusiastic participants,” he says. “Typically AK ASLA only does one Garden Design Workshop per year. We will be setting a high mark by hosting three in different parts of Alaska. Our toughest challenge will be getting our small membership to be able to cover all the volunteer time in each area. We are up to the challenge and happy this will be a great NLAM in Alaska.”

Partnerships can make the planning easier and help bring notice to your events. The Idaho/Montana chapter is working with the Barber Pool Conservation Area Interpretive Trail Design Workshop to organize an educational trail design charrette involving the National Park Service, the Idaho Foundation of Parks and Lands, and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. This exciting project will provide a rare opportunity to work with students and the local high school environmental education program. The critical design themes will include stewardship and conservation, recreation and being active, landscape and resource management, and community agriculture.

The Prairie Gateway chapter will address tragedy in its community by building a series of rain gardens for Joplin, Missouri, still recovering from a devastating tornado. The work is being done with area nonprofits as part of a grant-funded program through Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center.  Student chapters are getting to work, too. University of California–Davis students will create and host a float to display the profession of landscape architecture during its highly visible Picnic Day.

We’re still waiting to hear from chapters so that we can properly publicize NLAM 2012. We have reached millions through media outreach during NLAM, and we need to hear from you now to do it again. Report events using this form and stay tuned for further updates.

04.26.12 and Olmsted’s Birthday

As chapters finish up their NLAM events, landscape architects across the country will drop what they’re doing, 08.17.11-style, for an hour to once again take to the streets. LRSLAstudio has taken the lead, creating an inside-joke poster to recruit landscape architects and allies to participate. Can you best them? Join the competition at www.facebook.com/theunderstory to form a team creating a piece similar to LRSLAstudio’s—the design with the most likes will win T-shirts for everyone on the team to wear on 04.26.12.

View the full article at ASLA.org

March 14, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

Living Building Challenge Luncheon

via Arica Duhrkoop-Galas, ASLA Oregon, WVS Co-Chair

Dear friends and colleagues,

Living Building Challenge: We’re fortunate to have Scott Stolarczyk, AIA, CDT, LEED AP BD+C, from Robertson Sherwood Architects to present to this month’s ASLA luncheon. Scott has been actively involved in sustainability efforts on design projects and within our community.

Living Building Challenge is a philosophy, advocacy tool and certification program that addresses development at all scales. It is comprised of seven performance areas: Site, Water, Energy, Health, Materials, Equity and Beauty. These are subdivided into a total of twenty Imperatives, each of which focuses on a specific sphere of influence.

The purpose of the Living Building Challenge is straightforward – it defines the most advanced measure of sustainability in the built environment possible today and acts to diminish the gap between current limits and ideal solutions. Whether your project is a single building, a park, a college campus or even a complete neighborhood community, Living Building Challenge provides a framework for design, construction and the symbiotic relationship between people and all aspects of the built environment.

This month’s luncheon will be held at McMenamin’s North Bank, Thursday March 15th from 12:00 to 1:30 pm.
Presentation will begin at 12:15.

Please reply with your attendance as we will need to provide accurate numbers to the venue for our reservation,

Thank you,

Arica Duhrkoop-Galas, ASLA Oregon, WVS Co-Chair

February 25, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

ASLA Notes and Numbers

via Terence Poltrack, PR and Communications Director, American Society of Landscape Architects

Download the ASLA "Notes and Numbers" Facts and Figures PDF

February 25, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

New Landscape Architecture Flyers!

via ASLA

Download Flyer: Green Infrastructure and Landscape Architecture

The ASLA Public Awareness Campaign has Green Infrastructure as its theme for February - March. Landscape architects work with natural ecosystems to create sustainable environments. This attached flyer describes and illustrates some of the work by landscape architects that includes park systems, using nature to manage water from storms, creating wildlife habitat and corridors, and making the built environment greener through urban forestry, tree canopies, green roofs, and green walls. Green infrastructure solutions can be viewed at asla.org/animations.

Download Flyer: What Moves do Landscape Architects in Transportation Make?

The ASLA Public Awareness Campaign theme for December-January was Transportation so the ASLA Public Practice Advisory Committee created a flyer to describe what Landscape Architects in Transportation do. Their work includes scenic byways and highways, erosion control and revegetation, visual impact assessment, and planting and irrigation that integrates streets and roadways into local settings. Where they work, what kind of projects they plan, design, and manage, how they benefit communities, and how they make a difference is described. 

February 11, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

ASLA Amazon.com Store

via Brooke Hinrichs, ASLA Library, American Society of Landscape Architects

Dear ASLA Member,

We have just launched a new section of ASLA.org. Books published over the years by Fellows, Full, Associate, Affiliate, Student, and Corporate Members are now available at discounted prices through our ASLA Amazon.com store for both members and the public.

Visit the ASLA Amazon.com Store

Books are organized into seven categories:

Landscape Architecture
Sustainability
Gardens and Gardening
Trees, Plants, and Flowers
Biographies
Urban Planning & Design
Drawing & Design

If you are a member and an author and we’ve missed your book, please let us know as soon as possible. Your book must still be in print, fit into one of these categories, and be available via Amazon.

To be included, please mail one review copy of your book to:

Brooke Hinrichs
ASLA Library
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
636 Eye Street, NW,
Washington, D.C.
20001

Please contact Brooke at 202-216-2354 or bhinrichs@asla.org with any additional questions.

Buying a book through ASLA.org benefits ASLA’s library and educational programs. Please let your colleagues know and buy now to support ASLA.

February 11, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

Summer Internships

via Carolyn G. Mitchell, JobLink Coordinator, American Society of Landscape Architects

Summer internships are an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable hands-on experience while providing firms with extra help and prospective future employees. ASLA is offering a special JobLink summer internship promotion to its members. During the months of February, March, and April, ASLA members may post one free intern position per firm, agency, or organization. ASLA will target students with email reminders promoting JobLink, informing them about the summer internships to increase the applicant pool.

Here’s what members need to get started:

• Visit the JobLink home page.
• Click “Post a Job.”

• Members will be redirected to the login page. Enter the member’s login and password. Should log in assistance be required, contact Member Services at 888-999-ASLA (2752).

• Complete the fields requested. From the “Career Category” drop down menu, “Internship” must be selected in order to receive the free posting.

• When done, click “Post Job.” Members will be taken to the “E Commerce / Shopping Cart” screen and the internship will appear in the basket at no charge.

• Click “Proceed to Payment” to proceed with the order.

• Review the details of the order, then click “Ok” to finalize the order.

• The internship posting will “go live” immediately.

Whether the challenge is recruiting new employees or searching for new jobs, JobLink is the solution. JobLink offers an exclusive reach to the landscape architecture community with its two primary functions—job postings and résumé postings—making JobLink the best way to recruit top quality candidates for open positions or for individuals to find new positions. As an inexpensive alternative to newspaper ads and other generic online career sites, JobLink provides access to a smaller, more qualified pool of candidates and firms that are actively looking for new talent.

For more information or questions about JobLink or the free internship posting, please contact Carolyn Mitchell at cmitchell@asla.org.

Thank you,

Carolyn

Carolyn G. Mitchell
JobLink Coordinator
American Society of Landscape Architects
636 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-216-2331; Fax: 202-842-0861
www.asla.org

January 10, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

2012 SYMPOSIUM

Elevate your understanding of landscape by taking it to a higher level. ASLA Oregon invites you to expand your thinking over two days of inspired guest speakers, discussions and a design charrette. Join us for learning and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to earn valuable professional development hours (PDH’s).

promotional mailer PDF

more information + registration

2012 sponsorship opportunities

2012 supporting sponsor - only $100!

Your company name will be featured on the event program! 

January 10, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

ASLA 2012 Awards Call for Entries

via ASLA Nationals

Each year, the ASLA Professional Awards honor the best in landscape architecture from around the globe, while the ASLA Student Awards give us a glimpse into the future of the profession.

Award recipients receive featured coverage in Landscape Architecture Magazine, the magazine of ASLA, and
in many other design and construction industry and general interest media. Award recipients, their clients,
and advisors will be honored at the awards presentation ceremony during the ASLA Annual Meeting and EXPO
in Phoenix, September 28–October 1, 2012.

For more information and to register CLICK HERE

January 10, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

ASLA Legislative Victories, Potential Future Successes

via LAND e-news from ASLA

In 2011, ASLA successfully worked with federal legislators and other policymakers on a number of issues that benefit landscape architects and their small businesses. As the first session of the 112th Congress concluded, ASLA celebrated a number of legislative victories and set the stage for future policy successes on behalf of the landscape architecture profession.

Economic Recovery for Landscape Architects
One of the most important legislative victories for ASLA came on November 19, 2011, when President Barack Obama signed into law H.R. 674, legislation to repeal the law that required a 3 percent withholding on all payments from federal, state, and local government. With the repeal of this law, businesses, including landscape architecture firms, will not be forced to forfeit 3 percent of all payments received from federal, state, and local governments for services rendered under government contracts. As a member of the Government Withholding Relief Coalition, ASLA worked diligently to repeal this law that would have been onerous for many landscape architecture firms, including restricting the much-needed cash flow of these firms.

In 2011, ASLA also urged the Small Business Administration (SBA) not to increase the cap for gross annual revenues for consideration as a small landscape architecture business for federal government contracting purposes from $7 million to $19 million. With 80 percent of all landscape architecture firms having less than $1 million in gross annual revenue, raising the dollar amount to $19 million for consideration as a small business could severely disadvantage nearly all landscape architecture firms in the country. Currently, SBA is reviewing ASLA’s recommendation not to increase the dollar amount and will respond in the near future.

Transportation Planning and Design
Federal transportation policy was an important priority for ASLA in 2011. ASLA Government Affairs worked diligently to protect and preserve transportation programs critical to landscape architects, including the Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails programs, while also advocating for a new federal Complete Streets policy.

In 2011, ASLA staved off several attacks to the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program when U.S. Senators Tom Coburn (OK), John McCain (AZ), and Rand Paul (KY) each offered an amendment to various transportation bills to eliminate or gut the highly successful TE program. During consideration of each of these amendments, ASLA and its grassroots activists urged their senators to reject these amendments and pointed out the myriad of benefits provided by the TE program, including the economic benefits to communities and critical jobs for landscape architects. As a result of these advocacy efforts, the Senate rejected these amendments and left the TE program intact for now.

After years of consistent advocacy efforts by ASLA Government Affairs and the ASLA grass roots, another important legislative victory came on December 14, 2011, when the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously adopted an amendment authored by Senators Mark Begich (AK) and John Thune (SD) to establish a federal Complete Streets policy. Specifically, the Begich/Thune amendment would call on the Secretary of Transportation to “establish standards to ensure that the design of federal surface transportation projects provides for the safe and adequate accommodation, in all phases of project planning, development, and operation, of users of the transportation network, including motorized and nonmotorized users.” Under the amendment, states with their own Complete Streets policies would get a waiver from the federal policy. The Begich/Thune amendment was adopted as part of S. 1950, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act, which is the Senate Commerce Committee’s portion of the reauthorization of the surface transportation law that addresses freight and safety issues. This is the first time that a federal Complete Streets policy has been included in a major piece of federal legislation.

While these are important successes for the landscape architecture profession, ASLA will continue its efforts in 2012 to ensure that the final reauthorization of the surface transportation law includes a federal Complete Streets policy and robust TE, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails programs.

Promoting Green Infrastructure
In the 112th Congress, ASLA Government Affairs continued its work to promote the use of green infrastructure to address a number of national issues, including managing water. In 2011, ASLA submitted 479 case studies on landscape architecture projects that successfully and sustainably manage stormwater to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As EPA prepares to unveil a proposed rule to strengthen the national stormwater program, these projects will demonstrate the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of using green infrastructure to help manage our nation’s stormwater. To further highlight green infrastructure and landscape architecture design techniques, on May 26, 2011, ASLA hosted more than 60 congressional, administration, and affiliated organization staff for the ASLA congressional briefing, tour, and reception on our award-winning green roof.

ASLA also worked with Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD) and Senator Tom Udall (NM) to reintroduce the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act (H.R. 2030, S. 1115) ( http://www.asla.org/FederalGovernmentAffairs.aspx?id=25688), which would provide assistance to communities that want to employ green infrastructure projects to address their water quality and quantity needs. ASLA is working to gain cosponsors for the measures and move them through the legislative process.

read the full story at LAND e-news

January 10, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

Phoenix 2012: Call for Annual Meeting Presentations Issued

via LAND e-news from ASLA

ASLA has announced the call for presentations for the 2012 Annual Meeting and EXPO, to be held September 28–October 1 in Phoenix at the Phoenix Convention Center. The deadline for education session proposals is January 20, and detailed information is available online.

More than 6,000 attendees are expected, and the meeting will feature a diverse spectrum of industry experts speaking on a wide range of subjects, from sustainable design to active living to best practices and new technologies. More than 130 education sessions and field sessions will be presented during the meeting, providing attendees with the opportunity to earn up to 21 professional development hours under the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System. Many of the sessions will also qualify for continuing education credit with the Green Building Certification Institute (toward LEED AP credential maintenance), the American Institute of Architects, the American Institute of Certified Planners, and other allied professional organizations and state registration boards.

The 2011 Annual Meeting and EXPO in San Diego featured more than 460 exhibits as well as 135 education sessions for the 5,571 registered attendees—the second-largest attendance in ASLA history. For an overview of the 2011 sessions, see http://www.asla.org/2011meeting/EdOverview.html.

January 10, 2012 Edit

in ASLA

ASLA Awards: Strategies for Success

via LAND e-news from ASLA

An open letter from José Almiñana, FASLA, ASLA Professional Awards Jury Chair

The ASLA 2012 awards call for entries is currently accepting submissions for professionals and students. As a jury member and chair, I’ve seen thousands of entries and would like to offer these strategies for success:

Commit to a great submission.
A winning submission takes time. If it is put together quickly at the last minute, it probably will not win. Submissions take twice as long as anticipated; for that reason, do not delay, and allow more time than you think it will take. The more time invested is clearly seen by the jurors and sets your project apart.

Design your presentation.
Treat the submittal like the design of any project. It needs to be clear, concise, and beautiful, yet simple and easy for the jury to digest. Do the drawings and the photographs communicate your concepts and ideas? How do the colors work with the photographs? How do you start the story and how do you end it? The presentation design needs to be as thoughtful as the project. The jury sees many submittals; make sure the jury understands why your submission is worthy of consideration.

Tell your story clearly.
What are the important ideas? Why should this project win? You need to tell the jury clearly through diagrams, narrative, and photographs. Idea and concept drawings are extremely helpful. A concise project description is appreciated. Explain how the goals of the project are resolved through the design. Provide the jury with adequate diagrams to explain your design concept. Locus plans or an overall site aerial view photograph help the jury understand your design concepts immediately.

Hire a professional photographer.
Your work is worthy of great photography. It makes a difference and pays back. Take the time to research and find a good photographer. It is better to have a few great photographs than several insignificant photos. Do not settle for mediocre photographs due to time, money, or ease. Edit the shots, decide which tell the best story, and invest in keeping good images of the work you have spent so much energy to create. If you cannot afford a photographer, make sure your pictures are the highest digital quality.

Get a crit before you submit.
Have a professional peer who is not familiar with the project critique your submittal. Listen carefully to the comments. Is the story clear? Did he or she understand quickly? How would the peer improve the submittal? Take the comments seriously. The jury process is the same as having your peers review the submittal and evaluate your work. Be sure to benefit from a “pre-jury.”

Submit on time.
The most important piece of advice for a successful entry is to submit it on time. The 2012 entry deadlines are:

Entry forms and payment must be received by:

Friday, February 3, 2012, for Professional Awards
Friday, April 27, 2012, for Student Awards.
Submission binders must be received by:

Friday, February 17, 2012, for Professional Awards
Friday, May 11, 2012, for Student Awards.
In need of inspiration? View the ASLA 2011 Professional and Student award-winning projects.

José Almiñana, FASLA
ASLA Professional Awards Jury Chair
Andropogon Associates Ltd.

December 20, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

Shadow Mentor Day

On Friday, February 3rd ASLA Oregon and the Student ASLA at the University of Oregon are sponsoring the Nineteenth Annual Shadow Mentor Day. For one day, students will experience the working world of landscape architecture by shadowing professionals. A learning experience for students and practicing landscape architects alike, this event has always been a great success. Students gain valuable insight into the multifaceted work landscape architects do in a day. Some students will see what it is like to work in the office while others will experience a day out in the field.

If you have not received an invitation to participate and would like to, please contact Claire Maulhardt at clairem@greenworkspc.com.

December 20, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

Landscape Architecture Mentor Program

Landscape Architecture Mentor Program

In April 2011, the ASLA Public Practice Advisory Committee posted a note in LAND E-News "Wanted: Examples of Landscape Architecture Mentor Programs." The PPAC goal was to showcase and search for shining examples of Mentor Programs that pair practitioners with students or provide excellent networking opportunities between seasoned and emerging professionals. As a result of the outreach effort, a white paper and matrix are now available with some excellent models for Mentor Programs that involve ASLA chapters, universities, private firms, and local, state, and federal agencies. As a living document, the next action is to include other Mentor Programs that have had great success or are just getting started and are looking for some guidance. Our committee request to each state is to provide us with feedback and let us know how and what your LA Mentor Program is doing. Thank you for adding your successes to this national effort.

Robin Gyorgyfalvy, ASLA, PLA
ASLA Oregon Chapter
Public Practice Advisory Committee Chair, 2011-12
(541) 383-4786
rgyorgyfalvy@fs.fed.us

Download the Mentor Programs White Paper
Download the Mentor Programs Matrix

December 15, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

President Obama Signs Repeal of 3% Withholding Law

via the ASLA Advocacy Network

Dear Advocates,

On November 19, President Barack Obama signed into law H.R. 674, legislation to repeal the law that requires a three percent withholding on all payments from federal, state and local government. With the repeal of this law, small businesses, including landscape architecture firms, will not be forced to forfeit three percent of all payments received from federal, state, and local governments for services rendered under government contracts.

The three percent withholding requirement was originally passed in section 511 of the “Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005” (P.L. 109-222), which would have required federal, state, and local governments with more than $100 million in annual expenditures to withhold three percent of their payments for goods and services. As a result of the law, businesses and government entities could have been burdened with restructuring computer systems and training and hiring new accountants and office managers to assist in complying with the new accounting procedures. Moreover, many small businesses, including landscape architecture firms, would have been disadvantaged because the up-front tax withholding would severely restrict cash flow and could disrupt their ability to provide goods and services.

As a member of the Government Withholding Relief Coalition, ASLA has been working diligently to repeal this law that would have been onerous for many landscape architecture firms. Also, thanks to the advocacy efforts of ASLA members and other allied organizations who contacted their legislators, Congress overwhelming supported the legislation to repeal this law, moved it through the legislative process, and onto President Obama for his signature.

Thank you for your continued advocacy efforts.

Roxanne Blackwell
Federal Government Affairs Manager
The American Society of Landscape Architects

November 27, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

ASLA Encourages All Licensed Landscape Architects to Use PLA

via LAND E-News from ASLA Nationals

With the Board of Trustees approval, ASLA is encouraging all licensed landscape architects to use the post-nominal letters “PLA” after their names. As an abbreviation of the title “professional landscape architect,” it will better enable potential clients and the general public to identify licensed practitioners. It will also provide consistent recognition for the landscape architecture profession across the nation.

Why PLA? To truly establish a designation that can be used universally, it is necessary to avoid words that have specific legal meanings, like the terms registration and licensure. While these terms are often used interchangeably, in reality each has a distinct meaning in the realm of professional regulation. Like the PE designation for engineering, PLA can be used in any jurisdiction where a landscape architect is duly licensed. Most important, the use of PLA can raise the profile of landscape architecture by creating a universally recognized symbol for licensed landscape architects.

The use of PLA by landscape architects is intended as a customary designation, just as similar abbreviations are used today. No legislative changes or rule development for state licensing is necessary, given that it falls under current title restriction provisions that restrict the use of any title (or abbreviation) that indicates the individual is a landscape architect. Further, no state law or regulation assigns specific post-nominal letters that licensed landscape architects must use.

The development of this policy and the discussion of this issue have raised many questions, particularly regarding how such a designation interacts with licensure laws. For more information, see below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did ASLA adopt this policy?
There is currently no uniform way for a licensed landscape architect to indicate that he/she is licensed. Many use PLA, RLA, LLA, or LA to signify licensure. The lack of a consistent post-nominal abbreviation makes it more difficult for potential clients and the general public to identify a licensed practitioner.

Why did ASLA choose PLA?
State laws and regulations use different terms to denote professional regulation of landscape architects, with many using licensure, others using registration, and several using both. These terms were originally intended to signify different levels of regulation; however, common usage has blurred these definitions for the design professions so that licensure and registration are often used interchangeably. The ASLA Licensure Committee chose PLA for two reasons. First, PLA does not conflict with the existing legal terminology (licensure and registration), thereby allowing for universal usage. States that use registration or licensure may not be comfortable with its licensees using the other term, making PLA a neutral designation that can apply to both terms. Second, PLA is consistent with existing post-nominal abbreviations for related disciplines, such as engineering (PE) and land surveying (PLS).

How would the use of PLA affect existing licensure laws and regulations?
State laws are written to ensure that only qualified individuals hold themselves out as landscape architects. Laws typically reserve “landscape architect” and “landscape architecture” for licensees and sometimes include restrictions on other titles, such as “registered landscape architect” or “licensed landscape architect.” Further, the title protection provisions prohibit any unlicensed individual from in any way holding himself or herself out to practice landscape architecture, which includes abbreviations and other derivations of the term landscape architect. At the present time, no state law or regulation assigns specific post-nominal letters that licensed landscape architects must use. States may be interested in changing rules to specify that the use of PLA (professional landscape architect) is restricted, but it is not necessary because existing language covers use of all iterations of “landscape architect.”

My state uses RLA on its stamp. Can I use PLA?
Yes. The post-nominal abbreviation PLA is intended as a customary designation to identify oneself as a landscape architect with a valid license/registration. As long as the individual has a valid license in the state, that licensee can use PLA after his/her name to signify licensure. The state could choose to change its rules and stamp design to be consistent with PLA, but it is not necessary, and ASLA does not intend to advocate for such changes. It is important to note that a landscape architect should always follow the state specifications for the official stamp.

What is the responsibility of the landscape architect?
As the PLA designation is intended to signify licensure, it is the responsibility of licensees who use PLA to remain in compliance with their respective licensure requirements and only to use the designation in jurisdictions where they have a valid license. Those who are unlicensed should never use PLA.

What is the responsibility of the licensing board?
Because the use of PLA would signify licensure, the existing title restriction provisions will provide the authority for state licensing boards to take enforcement action in the same way that they can currently enforce the use of the title landscape architect by those who are not licensed. In keeping with existing title restriction provisions, state licensure boards alone have the authority to ensure that only individuals with a valid license hold themselves out as landscape architects, including the use of PLA.

How does this policy affect the ASLA designation?
The ASLA designation will continue to denote that the individual has met the qualifications of membership in the Society and has a membership in good standing. PLA does not replace ASLA as a designation, but establishes a supplementary designation that can be recognized by all to signify licensure (e.g., Jane J. Smith, ASLA, PLA).

I am not a member of ASLA. Can I use PLA?
Yes. ASLA intends for the PLA designation to be open to all licensed landscape architects. Otherwise, it could not truly become a universally recognized designation for clients and the general public to identify licensed landscape architects.

Questions?
Contact ASLA Government Affairs Director Julia Lent at jlent@asla.org.

November 27, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

The Race to SITES Certification

via ASLA Nationals 'The Dirt'

"Instead of a lofty discussion on the merits of different prerequisites and credits, Jose Alminana, FASLA, Andropogon, Angela Dye, FASLA, A. DYE Design, Hunter Beckham, ASLA, SWT Design, and Sarah Weidner Astheimer, ASLA, james corner field operations, launched into the practical challenges and rewards involved in applying the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) to new and existing projects and steering the first pilot projects through the submittal and certification process. In fact, Beckham and Astheimer are now neck and neck, having moved past the first submittal process and now heading towards the final submittal and certification, meaning one will be the first SITES-certified project.

Alminana said that 157 pilot projects in 34 U.S. States, Iceland, Canada, and Spain are registered and moving through the submittal and certification process, with 9 projects already in the preliminary submittal process. Projects clearing the preliminary review move to final review and then are set at one of the four levels: 1-4 stars. He said landscape architects testing out SITES view the initiative as valuable because it “adds clarity and vigor to technical content.”

Now, the SITES team is also reviewing feedback from the pilot projects to determine the “accuracy and fairness of the credits weights, their applicability to diverse project types, and how challenging or rewarding certification levels are.”

A wide variety of projects are moving forward. Some 65 percent of projects are greyfield redevelopments, while another 15 percent are brownfields. There are lots of sizes, from less than one acre to up to 500 acres. Alminana said the guidelines will be available as a stand-alone rating system, or can simply be used as voluntary guidelines. SITES is being incorporated into LEED through updated credits, and the U.S. Green Building Council and SITES founding partners are also working out how SITES certified projects will be treated in the LEED systems. Pilot testing will continue through 2013. When that process ends, the reference guide will be revised and presented. “This is freeware for all.” (see earlier post on the progress of SITES).

A Few Projects Testing out SITES

The Novus International headquarters, a 9.5-acre site outside St. Louis, is part of a University of Missouri research park, and has already made its way through the preliminary submittal process. Beckham, the landscape architect on the project, said “they want everything in SITES in their project so I got lucky.” The building, which is LEED Platinum, is now surrounded by active design elements, including a running loop, biomimetic dedsign features, and vegetable gardens. More importantly, Beckham mapped out the nine different habitats in the region and developed a plan and set of design proposals to incorporate those into the site. To accomplish SITES pre-requisite 2.1, the pre-design assessment, Beckham basically incorporated all these ideas into his client pitch, introducing all the concepts from the get-go. To match the LEED platinum building, Beckham is aiming for SITES 4-stars.

Shelby Farms Park, a massive 4,000-acre park less than 6 kilometers from Memphis, is one of the major projects of james corner field operations, and has already gone through the preliminary submittal process. Astheimer said the master plan’s goal is to create a “major public space and destination, along with a model of sustainable design.” One of the first projects, the 4.5-acre Woodland Discovery Center, is already done. Astheimer said Corner’s firm used this project because we “wanted to test ourselves” against the benchmarks and guidelines. The site include mature oaks surrounded by invasive Chinese species. An adjacent forest provides a frame for a series of “play rooms or nests.” There’s a “rich set of play experiences tailored to different children’s needs.”

Shoemaker Green, a yard and plaza on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, provides 3.85 acres of new open space, passive recreation as well as six tennis courts. It’s surrounded by buildings and has an innovative on-site water reuse program with zero runoff. There are “very intensive uses on the site” — some 57,000 participate in annual relays every spring. For Alminana at Andropogon, another key goal is zero-waste. “Every cubic inch of material on site was reused.”

The Tempe Transportation Center in Tempe, Arizona, was a 2-acre employee parking lot. Constructed between 2006 and 2008, the project is close to downtown, and across from Arizona State University dorms. Suited to SITES, it displaced parking, includes a vegetated green roof (one of the first in the desert), shaded areas for “respite,” a 3-story mixed-use building, and bike station with valet, repair, and lockers. The site is also of great historic significance to the local native American community: the city found that the location of the transportation center was a burial ground sacred to the Hohokam. Archeological investigations were blessed by tribal elders. Remains found by the city were removed and are being inventoried, with the goal of eventually returning them to the tribe.

..."

See the full article HERE 

November 25, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

Design Awards DJC Oregon Feature

The ASLA Oregon 2011 Design Awards Winners have been featured in the A&E Section of the Oregon DJC!

Click Here for the full story

October 20, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

October 2011 Newswire

October 11, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

ASLA Oregon 2011 Design Awards Winners Announced!

ASLA Oregon LANDbytes OCTOBER 2011 Feature:

Oregon Landscape Architects Celebrate Achievements; Look to Future
By James Hencke, ASLA, LEED AP

It was a night of design, drinks, and distinction as ASLA Oregon, the state chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), held its annual “Celebration of Design” on October 1, 2011 at the elegant Tiffany Center Emerald Ballroom in downtown Portland. While entry submissions were projected onto a large screen, the 116 attendees, comprised of members and professional colleagues, witnessed the bestowing of ten professional and three academic awards recognizing excellence in the field.

At the discretion of the jury, two award levels were presented in six design categories:

1. Honor: recognizing superior professional accomplishment.
2. Merit: given in each category at the jury’s discretion.

This year’s winners included:

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

Mosier Retreat
Bennett Burns, LEED AP
Merit Award
Residential Design

Swan Creek Park Master Plan
MIG, Inc.
Merit Award
Analysis & Planning

Cottonwood Canyon State Park
Walker Macy
Merit Award
Analysis & Planning

Clean Water Services Low Impact Development Approaches Handbook
GreenWorks, P.C.
Merit Award
Research & Communication

Port of Portland Headquarters
Mayer-Reed
Honor Award
General Design

Brookside Children’s Garden
Walker Macy
Merit Award
General Design

Cooper Mountain Nature Park
Vigil-Agrimis, Inc.
Merit Award
General Design

LOTT Clean Water Alliance Regional Service Center
Murase Associates
Merit Award
General Design

The Fields Park
Office of Cheryl Barton
Merit Award
Un-Built Work

Steel Bridge Skatepark
Lango Hansen Landscape Architects
Honor Award
Un-Built Work

ACADEMIC AWARDS

Vegetation-Bearing Garden Wall and Enclosure
Alexandria Donati & Holly Workman
Honorable Mention Award

From Landmark to Place
Alexandria Donati
Honorable Mention Award

Whiteaker Neighborhood Improvement Project
Logan Bingle
Honorable Mention Award

The evening kicked off with 90 minutes of music, food, and drink – including the signature “Stone-tini” cocktail sponsored by JP Stone Contractors. Socializing was followed by a welcoming statement from outgoing ASLA Oregon President James Hencke, and then moved to the awards program, moderated by Marianne Zarkin, VP of Chapter Services, who announced the winners, and Sam Williamson, jury member, who shared comments from the jury.

After the design awards outgoing President Hencke invited University of Oregon Professor Ron Lovinger to the stage to speak for a few minutes about several students that the University landscape architecture program had recently recognized with awards.

The evening was capped off by incoming ASLA Oregon President Jeff Schnabel who challenged the group in the year ahead by stating “We do great work, but can we do even better? Can we take the cutting edge work from our state and bring it to a broader national audience?”

Jurists included Maggi Johnson, Fernanda D'Agostino, John van Staveren, Sam Williamson, and Joseph Paul Readdy. For detailed information about the jurists, see http://www.aslaoregon.org/events/articles/design-awards#awards

EVENT SPONSORS:

Signature Sponsor
JP Stone Contractors - John Stone

General Sponsors:
Cascade Recreation, Inc. - Martha Gaty
Cedar Landscape, Inc. - Mike Grace
Northwest Recreation - James G. Ringelberg
Rain Bird Corporation - Christen Funk

Table Décor Sponsors:
Diadem USA, Inc. - Leisa Baker
Northwest Playground Equipment - Bob McGarvey
Willamette Graystone, Inc. - Gale Schroeder

In-Kind Sponsor:
GXI Inc. - Brian Scott

ASLA Oregon is a 285 member professional society dedicated to the advancement of landscape architecture within the state. The group holds an annual design awards event every fall and a professional symposium every spring. For more information see http://www.aslaoregon.org/.

October 10, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

ASLA Advocacy E-Summit

via Julia Lent, Government Affairs Director, American Society of Landscape Architects:

The Advocacy Summit is now taking to the web! In August, we announced that we will be holding quarterly webinars to give Advocacy Summiteers the opportunity to get the latest information on advocacy strategies and events as well as a chance to share what is happening in your chapter. Originally, the plan was to hold the first webinar today, but let’s just say that events conspired against us, so the first Advocacy E-Summit will be held Thursday, October 20 at 2pm ET – 1pm CT – Noon MT – 11am PT – 10am AK – 9am HI.

As you may recall, the suggestion for these webinars was given at the Summit. If you have a specific topic that you would like to address, a question to ask, or a success story to share please let us know!

Homework: To help organize the agenda for the E-Summit, please fill out this short 5-question survey, which can gauge progress and feedback on many of the topics we discussed in July: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AdvocacyQuarterly. Please complete the survey by COB October 14.

Webinar Login information:
Topic: ASLA Advocacy E-Summit
Date: Thursday, October 20, 2011
Time: 2:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Meeting Number: 595 604 174 (This meeting does not require a password.)

October 10, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

ASLA ANNOUNCES 2011 PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

via ASLA Nationals:

ASLA ANNOUNCES 2011 PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Thirty-seven projects honored for innovation, design and sustainability.
9/28/2011

Washington, D.C., September 28, 2011 – The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has announced the winners of the 2011 Professional Awards. The awards honor the top public places, residential designs, campuses, parks and urban planning projects from across the U.S. and around the world. High-resolution images and full project information can be viewed at www.asla.org/2011awards.

The jury of leading design experts considered 567 entries and selected 37 winners in the categories of General Design, Residential Design, Analysis and Planning, Communications, Research and the Landmark Award. In addition to the quality of the design, the jury also weighed the environmental sensitivity and sustainability of each project. The October issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine features the winning projects. Winners will be honored at the ASLA Annual Meeting and EXPO in San Diego on Wednesday, November 2. The upcoming ceremony and awards video are sponsored by Firestone Specialty Products.

2011 ASLA Professional Awards

September 15, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

Chapter dues increase effective Jan 2012

ASLA Oregon thanks you for your membership. Your participation in ASLA is important to our effectiveness in communicating the value of what we do to policy makers, allied design professionals, and the public at large. ASLA chapter activities keep you plugged into resources, opportunities, and networks that offer support especially in these challenging times. In an effort to maintain the level of service and benefits to our members, the ExCom voted to institute a modest dues increase of $10 effective January, 2012. Membership Dues have not increased for a number of years, yet expenses have continued to increase. As stated in our recent email notification to all members, we understand that times are challenging, and it is understandable that every expense is under scrutiny as we all weather one of the most serious economic downturns in decades. As president of ASLA Oregon, I ask you not to think of membership in the American Society of Landscape Architects as an expense, but as an investment in the profession and in your future.

James Hencke, ASLA

September 14, 2011 Edit

in ASLA

Purchase your 2011 Design Awards Soiree tickets by Sept. 23rd!

2011 DESIGN AWARDS: a celebration of design
Please join us for a festive evening of great food and socializing as we celebrate our design community:

Saturday, October 1st, 2011
Emerald Ballroom at the Tiffany Center
1410 SW Morrison Street, Portland, OR
6:00pm - 11:00pm
$65/person - $45/students - $85/non-members - $520/table

More Information

Purchase Tickets HERE by Fri Sept 23rd!


or call Association Manager Dana Baisden @ 503.227.6156