Articles about News

April 4, 2012 Edit

in News

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 News

March 2012 Newswire

 

MARCH 2012

UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS (APRIL IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MONTH!)

04.20 | ASLA Oregon North Park Block Design Charrette
04.20 | ASLA Oregon Emerging Professionals Social
04.21 | ASLA Oregon Enlightened Landscape[s] Symposium
04.26 | UO A&AA Career Symposium 
04.26 | Pine Nursery Design Charrette
04.26 | FLO's Birthday!
06.14 | ASLA Oregon EP 101 Series: Greenroof Tour + Roundtable - PDH Opportunity!

OTHER UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

03.31 | Community Horticultural Therapy Program
04.04 | Community Trees Field Class
04.13 | BCSLA Annual Conference
05.02 | Living Future unConference 
05.03 | UFIS Soils and Urban Tree Conference
05.17 | Landscape Field Day
06.02 | Portland Memory Garden PDH Seminar
06.03 | Portland Memory Garden Open House

06.07 | Oregon Urban & Community Forestry Conference
08.05 | Transportation Research Board Meeting

ASLA OREGON CHAPTER 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).

download promotional mailer PDF

more information + registration - REGISTER BY 3/30 FOR EARLY BIRD RATES!

2012 sponsorship opportunities

become a 2012 supporting sponsor for just $100!

Your company name will be featured on the event program! 

PRESENTING SPONSOR
ASLA Oregon Chapter is pleased to announce our
2012 Enlightened Landscape[s] Symposium Presenting Sponsor:

Buell Recreation, LLC specializes in providing a variety of commercial quality park and playground products to public and private organizations throughout the western United States. We pride ourselves in representing proven manufacturers with the highest standards of integrity, who develop safe, durable and innovative products.

Learn more about Buell Recreation

View 2012 ASLA Oregon Chapter Sponsorship Opportunities

View 2012 ASLA Oregon Chapter Sponsors Page

landbytes 

Launched in July of 2011, LANDbytes is ASLA Oregon Chapter's premier e-publication showcasing articles, briefs, reviews, spotlights and more! New this month:

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

Happy Birthday, FLO!
By Rebecca Wahlstrom

AnnouncementS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

April is Landscape Architecture Month!
NLAM, 04.26, and YOU
Executive Committee Call for Volunteers
Communications Committee Call for Volunteers
Summer Internships
New Landscape Architecture Flyers!
ASLA Notes and Numbers Facts and Figures PDF

KEEPING YOURSELF CURRENT

Please help us keep our mailing list current.
Send updates or corrections of your contact information to info@aslaoregon.org.


Contact Us
Executive Committee and other contact information is available at the Chapter Website.
For mailing and other administrative inquiries about the chapter, contact:

ASLA Oregon Chapter
147 SE 102nd Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97216
phone: 503.227.6156
fax: 503.253.9172
info@aslaoregon.org

Follow Us
Oregon ASLA Facebook Page
Oregon ASLA on Twitter
Oregon ASLA Blog
LANDbytes

Event Calendar

Check out the online Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date listing of opportunities!

March 29, 2012 Edit

in News

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 News

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 News

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

Questions? Interested in getting involved with NLAM?
Contact ASLA Oregon Communications Chair
Christopher Olin for more information!

via ASLA Nationals

A Whole New National Landscape Architecture Month:
Public Health & Active Living 2012

Now is the time. Childhood obesity surges to epidemic proportions, healthcare costs push even higher and divisive politics provide no solutions. Meanwhile an interdisciplinary profession continues to rise offering solutions to these stark problems:

  • Two out of every three American adults twenty years or older are overweight or obese (Flegal, 2010).

  • Since 2000, antidepressants have become the most prescribed medication in the United States (Olfson and Marcus, 2009).

  • In 2007, 16 percent of the United State’s gross domestic product – $2.3 trillion – was spent on health care (Orszag and Ellis, 2007).

Landscape architects will join across the country during the month of April to educate the public as to how their profession is well poised to address these troubling issues.They’ll hold public events showcasing just what can be done through hands on work with the public, speaking engagements and design charrettes. For an idea, check out this slideshow of 2011’s events.

With the theme of Public Health and Landscape Architecture, National Landscape Architecture Month 2012 welcomes these new and necessary discussions about the profession. Besides all the same great activities from years past, National Landscape Architecture Month joins in the public awareness campaign. On 04.26.12, the profession will publically celebrate Frederick Olmsted's birthday, considered the founder of modern landscape architecture, by once again taking to the streets from coast to coast telling people why landscape architecture matters just as they did on 08.17.11. Since 08.17.11 was just the beginning, expect more this time around. The call to celebrate his birthday could not be more in line with the theme as Frederick Law Olmsted and the Campaign for Public Health points out, Olmsted’s roots in landscape architecture first started with his dedication to public health.

The prevalence of low-density, automobile-dependent communities has resulted in unsustainable lifestyles that increasingly threaten human health and well-being. In addition to inflating housing and transportation costs and increasing carbon emissions, disconnected communities reliant on cars create sedentary lifestyles. The lack of access to environments that encourage daily exercise, provide clean air and water and offer affordable services and nutritious food has meant growing epidemics of depression, obesity, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.

Working with landscape architects, communities can promote human health and well-being by encouraging the development of environments that offer rich social, economic, and environmental benefits. Healthy, livable communities improve the welfare and well-being of people by expanding the range of affordable transportation, employment, and housing choices through "Live, Work, Play" developments; incorporating physical activity into components of daily life; preserving and enhancing valuable natural resources; providing access to affordable, nutritious, and locally produced foods distributed for less cost; and creating a unique sense of community and place.

Landscape architects help communities maximize opportunities for daily exercise like walking and biking. Landscape architects encourage communities to move towards compact, transit-oriented land-uses by designing Complete Streets and other transportation networks that connect mixed-use developments, neighborhood schools, and a range of affordable housing choices. They assist communities in developing healthy green buildings and open spaces that promote efficient water and energy use and provide substantial amounts of vegetation to clean air and cool temperatures. In doing so, these communities can avoid the expensive health epidemics associated with automobile dependence, sedentary lifestyles, along with the high costs to the environment brought by dysfunctional patterns of living.

PUBLIC HEALTH & COMMUNITY DESIGN

With health epidemics associated with sprawl on the rise, there is growing demand for communities that get people moving and reduce the onslaught of depression, obesity, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. Communities can also be designed to reduce traffic fatalities and crime rates. When communities take these issues seriously, they become people-friendly places that promote healthy living and feel safe and secure.

A recent study from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute demonstrates that people who "drive less, exercise more, and live longer, are generally healthier than residents of communities without high-quality public transportation." Lansdcape architects design multi-modal sustainable transportation infrastructure such as public transit, which force people to walk and climb stairs, and well-lit, tree-lined streets with sidewalks and bike lanes, which enable safe and convenient physical activity. These systems provide healthy alternatives to automobile transportation. In addition, landscape architects create parks, green streets, and even green roofs, which encourage physical activity by making outdoor spaces more attractive, cooler, with cleaner air.

Communities can also invest in healthy green schools built along new and improved transportation infrastructure and connected to neighborhoods via sidewalks, bike trails, transit service, and roadways that provide safe routes to school. Landscape architects design green school campuses with indoor and outdoor learning environments, which are also available for community activities.

In addition, landscape architects work with communities to create urban agriculture projects that provide access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food that is locally produced and distributed. These initiatives make productive use of vacant lots and derelict spaces, transforming them into safe environments for youth education and community interaction. They can provide resources for green hospitals where studies have shown that organic food gardens help patients recover faster.

See the full article at ASLA.org

January 10, 2012 Edit

in News

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! 

November 25, 2011 Edit

in News

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 News

October 2011 Newswire

 

OCTOBER 2011

UPCOMING EVENTS

11.01 | Making Connections Open House
11.03 | Green Day Forum 2011
11.09 | Johnpaul Jones Lecture

landbytes 

Launched in July of 2011, LANDbytes is ASLA Oregon Chapter's premier e-publication showcasing articles, briefs, reviews, spotlights and more! New this month:

Oregon LA's Celebrate Achievements; Look to Future
By James Hencke, ASLA / Immediate Past President, ASLA Oregon Chapter

Social Media and You
By Rebecca Wahlstrom

Announcements

ASLA Nationals Announces 2011 Professional Awards
ASLA Oregon Announces 2011 Design Awards
Learn More About The Coalition for a Livable Future
Get Press for Your Residential Projects
New Job Posting!
Apply Now for Architects in Schools!
Thank You Gopher Green Sponsors!
Chapter dues increase effective Jan 2012
Executive Committee Call for Volunteers
New Executive Committee Announced!
LARE Study Groups
SSI Survey - Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

More Information

2011 Sponsorship Opportunities
OSLAB Summer Newsletter
September 2011 Trustee’s Report
"Public Welfare" Landmark Study

KEEPING YOURSELF CURRENT

Please help us keep our mailing list current.
Send updates or corrections of your contact information to info@aslaoregon.org.


Contact Us
Executive Committee and other contact information is available at the Chapter Website.
For mailing and other administrative inquiries about the chapter, contact:

ASLA Oregon Chapter
147 SE 102nd Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97216
phone: 503.227.6156
fax: 503.253.9172
info@aslaoregon.org

Follow Us
Oregon ASLA Facebook Page: NEW! Come LIKE us on Facebook!
Oregon ASLA on Twitter
Oregon ASLA Blog
LANDbytes

Event Calendar

Check out the online Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date listing of opportunities!

October 11, 2011 Edit

in News

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 News

September 2011 Trustee’s Report

September 2011 Trustee’s Report:

 

This will be my last report as your Trustee since my term is over as of the 1st of October. 

I will be attending the Annual Meeting and providing feedback to Brian Bainnson who is your new Trustee.  It has been a great honor to have served our State Chapter the past 6 years and will miss meeting with other Landscape Architects to help shape the future of our profession.  However, I know that Brian and others will continue to move us forward in a positive way.  I hope all of you get involved with ASLA at some level to help lead our profession and make a positive impact with the public and to the environment we live in.

 

Some of the highlights from our National Office the past month are as follows:

 

Governance and Administration

·       The Executive Committee met by to review several items that will be considered by the Board in San Diego:  revised 2012 and draft 2013 budgets; the Licensure Committee-drafted policy on a universal designation for licensure; and the report of the Task Force on Accreditation and Licensure.  The Executive Committee also approved a new student chapter at Washington University in St. Louis. 

 

Government Affairs

·       Case studies from our massive green infrastructure for stormwater management data collection campaign earlier this year are now up and available to ASLA members and the public. You can view the results of our survey and the 475+ case studies that over 300 ASLA members submitted!

·       Thanks to the tremendous efforts of ASLA advocates, Senator Tom Coburn (OK) has temporarily halted his attempts to eliminate the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program. During recent attacks on the TE program, ASLA advocates have sent about 2,500 messages to Capitol Hill, which helped stave off elimination of the program. However, the fight does not end here. Coburn is working to “reform” the TE program when the Senate takes up a long term transportation reauthorization bill in the coming months. ASLA encourages all its members to continue to use the Advocacy Network to reach out to their legislators about supporting the Transportation Enhancements and other key transportation programs important to the profession.

 

Landscape Architecture Magazine

·       LAM Editor Brad McKee recently completed a stint as a judge for Folio Magazine’s 2011 Eddie Awards in the categories of best custom publication and best online news coverage.

 

Public Relations and Communications

·       Three of the original and most popular sustainable design resource guides have been edited and updated: Green Infrastructure; Sustainable Transportation; and Sustainable Urban Development.

·       Recent ASLA news coverage appeared in the Daily Record, Flint Journal, Inhabitat, St. Louis Beacon, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Salem News, Globe and Mail, CNN, the Shreveport Times, and the St. Louis Post Dispatch, and others.

 

Professional Practice

·       The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ (SITES™) has launched a survey to determine the feasibility of professional credentialing and project certification. SITES is currently working with the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), which manages the certification and credentialing programs for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating Systems™. The survey is open until Wednesday, November 2, and respondents are eligible to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

 

Dave

October 10, 2011 Edit

in News

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

August 15, 2011 Edit

in News

Landscape Architecture. Your Environment. Designed.

What if, for just one day, we all decided to let everyone know what the heck landscape architects do. That we create the very places used to live, work and play. That we connect cities. That we create experience. That landscape architecture is your environment, designed.

08.17.11 is that day. It’s the day the profession reintroduces itself to public. It’s the day where, for only your time spent during lunch, you’ll join the beginning of a new movement – a movement to get out and tell your story to the world.

It’s not too late to get involved. Here’s how:

Use this map to find out what’s happening near you or contact the closest landscape architect representative for further info.

Create your own lunchtime activity. Watch this video to get an idea. Use chalk to mark “Designed by a Landscape Architect” on your favorite landscape architecture project and hand out these campaign materials. This is also a great opportunity to promote your own projects. Email thedate@asla.org to add your activity to the map or for more event ideas.

Post pictures and videos from your event on Twitter, using the hashtags #landarch and #design. On Facebook, share your activities at the campaign page www.facebook.com/theunderstory.

Be there for the beginning. Take one hour to speak with one voice on one day for one profession, ours. Make 08.17.11 a landscape architecture day.

Portland Landscape Architects will meet in downtown Portland at Pioneer Courthouse Square and Director Park from 12-1pm on August 17th to talk to the public about landscape architecture. These two parks are some of the most used and beloved examples of landscape architecture in Portland. Our goal is for more people to understand what the field of landscape architecture is.

Landscape Architects are licensed professionals who design the places where we live, work, and play. We connect cities. We create experience. We design, protect, and preserve your environment. Landscape architecture is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates natural sciences, horticulture, architectural design, engineering, transportation and circulation design, historic preservation, and environmental education. We manage the relationship between the built and natural environment. Landscape architects design parks, urban plazas, roads, restored natural areas, zoos, shopping centers, stormwater runoff facilities, green roofs, and more.

July 26, 2011 Edit

in News

What's all this about 08.17.11?

The world needs to know about landscape architecture, and 08.17.11 is the day it all begins.

What if, for just one day, we all decided to let everyone know what the heck landscape architects do. That we create the very places used to live, work and play. That we connect cities. That we create experience. That landscape architecture is your environment, designed.

08.17.11 is that day. It’s the day the profession reintroduces itself to public. It’s the day where, for only your time spent during lunch, you’ll join the beginning of a new movement – a movement to step out of the Understory and tell your story to the world.

Details will arrive soon. But until then, share the movement with friends, coworkers and classmates. The public awaits.

Check out 08.17.11 on Facebook!

Check out a map of nationwide 08.17.11 Events!

Get your "Landscape Architecture: Your Environment. Designed." T-Shirt!

July 19, 2011 Edit

in News

Public Awareness Events Map

via Michael Cowden, ASLA Nationals Public Relations and Communications Coordinator

Keeping the ball rolling with 08.17.11 > check out this Google Map of Nationwide Public Awareness Events!

July 19, 2011 Edit

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OSLAB Newsletter (June 2011)

POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE RULE FOR REGISTRATION BY RECIPROCITY:

Board staff, the Licensure Review Committee, and the full Board have recently been struggling with the existing rule for registration by reciprocity and have determined there is a need to develop rule revisions. The Board solicits your input about this issue. For reference, the reciprocity requirements are contained in OAR 804 Division 22.

The current reciprocity rule applies the same criteria to a reciprocity request as are applied to applications for initial registration. The idea behind the rule is not bad – to set uniform standards for registration in Oregon. Certainly the Board does need to ensure sufficient education, passage of professional examinations, and demonstrated proficiency in the field. The primary problem with the rule is the requirement for documenting work experience under the supervision of a registered landscape architect (RLA).

The reciprocity rule essentially treats all reciprocity applicants, regardless of years of experience as RLAs in other states, as if they are at the beginning of their careers. Some applicants for reciprocity gained the required work experience many years ago. The companies or supervisors they worked for may not be available to sign-off on work verification forms. This makes documentation of supervised work experience difficult or sometimes even impossible for an applicant to obtain. The current rule does not allow the Board to consider how long the applicant has been successfully working as a RLA in another state as an alternative to supervised work experience.

The Board has asked the Administrative Rules Committee to work with the Licensure Review Committee and staff to consider alternatives to the current rule. Members of the Administrative Rules Committee will be called into service over the summer to early fall to help shape rule revisions. All are encouraged to share ideas and concerns with the reciprocity rule by sending comments by e-mail to oslab.info@state.or.us or by US mail to the Board office at 707 13th St. SE, Salem, OR 97301. The Board will be briefed at upcoming meetings in August and November of this year on input received via the Administrative Rules Committee or directly from registrants and other interested parties

Download the full 4-Page PDF OSLAB June 2011 Newsletter

July 19, 2011 Edit

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Designing for Sustainability in a Growing Environment

via Robin Gyorgyfalvy, ASLA

A ribbon-cutting event that took place on June 28, 2011 at the newly-minted Kansas Avenue Learning Garden was one of many steps being taken to make sustainability a part of daily life in central Oregon. Exactly one year ago, a design charrette led by ASLA High Desert Chapter’s Chelsea Schneider and Brian Caldwell, set out to transform a contaminated vacant lot that was formerly an old drycleaning site into a vibrant and interactive living classroom and learning garden. This challenging site is adjacent to The Environmental Center and within walking distance to the Boys & Girls Club and Amity Creek Elementary School. This unique project for teaching sustainability in an outdoor classroom was made possible through a partnership that was created between an environmental center, educators, and local landscape architects.


The main concept for the Learning Garden is to create a place where children can witness the growth of the seeds they plant and learn how gardens require care, hard work, and patience. Contact with the outdoors and making discoveries with weekly observations is a hands-on way to learn more about how communities and the environment can be sustained through growing your own food. Denise Rowcroft, sustainability educator for The Environmental Center says “It’s important that kids participate in building the garden so that they feel like they have ownership of it. We’re trying to get them involved in all aspects of the garden, from building fences, to showing them where food comes from – to teaching them about the health of the environment.”


The design charrette began with understanding the constraints of the site, its history, and ownership. Amber Hudspeth, an environmental professional explained the pollutants and a decision was made to cap contaminants on site and to build up the garden beds. Educators were an integral part of the charrette describing what elements and features were needed to form a learning landscape to best teach in an outdoor setting. The Environmental Center needed to have this place convey its mission to “embed sustainability into daily life in central Oregon.” A wish list was composed for what would be desirable on the site, opportunities were discussed for the outdoor rooms and the different amenities in each room, and priorities were determined for phasing.


Chelsea Schneider, ASLA of WH Pacific in Bend developed conceptual images for the group to develop further. Chelsea says “With a personal interest in environmental education, it is really important for me to see that learning landscapes become a reality through a community process such as this one.” The results are stunning with volunteers providing their energy and talent, their labor, donations, and materials for construction and planting. Incredible highlights of this project are the garden art mural paintings created by the Boys & Girls Club that decorate garden boxes lining the neighborhood street and the growing plants that were started as seedlings in the Amity Elementary School classrooms. These “pick me beds” are free for the community to harvest, a great way to encourage community interaction and involvement in central Oregon at the Kansas Avenue Learning Garden located at 16 NW Kansas Avenue in Bend, Oregon.

Pictured: Chelsea Schneider, ASLA and the Garden Box Mural Paintings

June 23, 2011 Edit

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Public Awareness Campaign: Who are we targeting?

June 22nd You Can’t Do It Alone: Campaign Recruitment Webinar

The focus of this webinar for the Public Awareness Campaign is “Who are we targeting?”
This program aims to rally landscape architects together to become more engaged in promoting the profession to the public. It is also aimed at recruiting help from your own section and coordinating activities with other sections throughout your state. Even forming a committee made up of state-wide members or non-ASLA members would be an excellent promotional tool.

• There are two phases for the Public Awareness Campaign. The first phase is the “08.17.11. The Understory” which is specifically designed to recruit participants in the launch activities. The second phase is public outreach with a message of “Landscape Architecture. Your Environment. Designed.”

• The Public Awareness Campaign has designed recruitment posters to generate excitement and create a buzz for landscape architecture to be launched on 8-17-11. These will be made available to ASLA chapters and landscape architecture or other design professional firms to download next week.

• Simple events will be planned with the intent of engaging all landscape architects to work together to more actively promote what landscape architects really do.

• Networking media such as Twitter and Facebook will be used to orchestrate and report on this campaign. Mapping tools such as Google Earth will use a national map to show how each state has a Public Awareness Advocate working together to develop higher visibility and innovative marketing tools for the profession.

• Stay tuned for how you can show and tell your understory on 08-17.11 very soon.

June 16, 2011 Edit

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June 2011 Newswire

 

June 2011
Upcoming Chapter Events

09.09 | Willamette Valley Section Gopher Green Golf Tournament (Registration is Open!)
10.01 | 2011 Design Awards (Submissions Due August 5th, 2011)


Additional Opportunities

06.17 | Walk Around Portland Event with Dan Burden
07.22 | Berkeley, CA LARE Prep Course: July 22-24
08.11 | ISA Soils & Trees Workshops: August 11th & August 17th

Announcements

Emerging Professionals 101 Series Recap
Landscape Fusion Symposium + Design Charette Recap
Dangerous by Design 2011 Report Released!
ASLA Membership Qualifications Discussion
May 2011 Trustee's Report
New Job Posting: PP&R Capital Project Manager
Calling all Authors, Columnists, Photojournalists, Bloggers, Reporters and Critics!

More Information

Newswire Submittal Requirements

KEEPING YOURSELF CURRENT

Please help us keep our mailing list current.
Send updates or corrections of your contact information to info@aslaoregon.org.


Contact Us
Executive Committee and other contact information is available at the Chapter Website.
For mailing and other administrative inquiries about the chapter, contact:

ASLA Oregon Chapter
147 SE 102nd Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97216
phone: 503.227.6156
fax: 503.253.9172
info@aslaoregon.org

Follow Us
Oregon ASLA Facebook Page: NEW! Come LIKE us on Facebook!
Oregon ASLA on Twitter
Oregon ASLA Blog

Event Calendar

Check out the online Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date listing of opportunities!

June 16, 2011 Edit

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Calling all Authors, Columnists, Photojournalists, Bloggers, Reporters and Critics!

  • Have you been searching for a medium to showcase a thought, idea or fresh approach?
  • Are you interested in providing a Member Spotlight or a review of that new book on your shelf?
  • Perhaps you're a guru of current trends in the profession?
  • Do you have an analog or digital technique, tutorial or secret you're willing to share with your peers?
  • Are you a student or emerging professional looking for an opportunity to get involved with your local chapter?

The ASLA Oregon Chapter Communications Committee is spearheading an effort to revisit, revamp and bring back to life the publication ORegon land, an award-winning publication that has established the Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects as a leading chapter within the society! Until further funding is secured, upcoming efforts will take the form of columns, briefs, reviews and photojournalism features in upcoming Newswires, published on a monthly basis.

Act now on this exciting opportunity to contribute and circulate your creative inklings through our community of like-minded design professionals including landscape architects, architects, students and faculty members, political leaders, ASLA state chapter presidents, and other individuals related to the profession.   

Interested?
Contact Communications Chair Christopher Olin for more information.


Stay tuned and look for our launch in the July Newswire!

May 9, 2011 Edit

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Newswire - May 2011

May 2011

Upcoming Chapter Events

08.17 | Public Awareness Summit 2011
10.01 | Design Awards

Announcements

Thank You Symposium Sponsors
Thank You Symposium Exhibitors
GI Case Studies
April 2011 Trustee's Report

Event Calendar

Check out the online Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date listing of opportunities!

Additional Opportunities

05.25 | Architects in Schools: Eugene
05.26 | Landscape Legacies Lecture
06.01 | Architects in Schools: Salem

More Information

Job Listings
Newswire Submittal Requirements
Keeping Yourself Current
Contact Us
Follow Us

Upcoming Chapter Events
Public Awareness summit 2011

National and the State Chapters are partnering to accomplish some specific goals related to public awareness.  Recent survey results indicate that the biggest general public misconception about the landscape architecture profession is that landscape architects are landscapers who deal mostly with designing planting plans and installing plant materials. As stated by one survey participant, "People don’t understand the breadth, complexity and technical rigor that goes into our work."

Each State Chapter has appointed a Public Relations Advocate, who will work directly with National to develop this program.  The Public Relations Advocates will meet at the Summit in July to fill in the initial framework for the program and flush out additional ideas and actions. There will be two separate messages - an internal one for ASLA members and an external one for the public (such as "Saving the Earth: Site by Site" type of ideas).

The main goal of the Public Awareness Summit 2011 is to engage the public through coordinated public outreach between National and all State Chapters - this is the first time ever. A "Launch Event" is scheduled for August 17 at lunch time.  Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

ASLA Oregon Chapter 2011 Design Awards

Announcements
APRIL 15-16, 2011 Landscape Fusion Symposium Sponsors & Exhibitors

By sponsoring you provided high quality opportunities and products to the Oregon Landscape Architectural community. You also allowed companies to become involved with landscape architects and related professionals through quality, high profile programs and services. Networking with ASLA Oregon chapter members and their affiliates provides an opportunity for your company to share industry changes, product and service upgrades as well as other information that affects the current and future design and installation of significant projects.

We hope to continue our partnerships with you in providing high quality opportunities and products to the Oregon Landscape Architectural community.

Thank you to our ASLA Oregon 2011 Symposium Sponsors!

Portland State University
Facility Sponsor





The Western Group
AM Break Sponsor





Teufel Landscape
Lanyard Sponsor










The Daily Journal of Commerce
General Program Sponsor













landscapeforms
PM Break Sponsor

Additional sponsorship opportunities...

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, sponsoring and event, or advertising on the website or other materials, we have a range of potential opportunities that will fit your needs:

View Available Sponsorship Opportunities for 2011

Thank you to our ASLA Oregon 2011 Symposium Exhibitors!

Cascade Recreation, Inc.
Cold Spring Granite Company
Columbia Cascade/Timber Form
Harry L. Stearns, Inc.
JP Stone Contractors, Inc.
Northwest Playground Equipment
Northwest Recreation
NWR & Associates
Oregon Association of Nurseries
Parkforms/Wildwood Playgrounds
Regional Water Providers Consortium
SiteLines Park & Playground Products
The Western Group

GI Case Studies

Thank you to those who submitted projects and case studies for review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in preparation for its upcoming national proposed rulemaking to strengthen the stormwater management program. Thanks to your hard work, ASLA far exceeded its goal of 300 cases, and submitted 459 projects.

ASLA appreciates the membership’s continued efforts in promoting green infrastructure practices in communities across the country and for demonstrating that landscape architects have been, and will continue to be, national leaders on green infrastructure and stormwater management.

Thank you.
Roxanne Blackwell, Esq.
Federal Government Affairs Manager
American Society of Landscape Architects
636 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-216-2334
rblackwell@asla.org

April 2011 Trustees Report

Some of the highlights from our National Office the past month are as follows:

Governance and Administration

  • ASLA is the recipient of the District of Columbia Department of the Environment Partner of the Year! This award is given to an organization that promotes environmental practices on behalf of the District of Columbia and its residents. The award will be conferred by D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray on April 20.
  • ASLA participated in today’s Architect of the Capitol-U.S. Senate’s Spring Environmental and Energy Showcase. This event, held annually in a Capitol Hill Senate office building, focuses on environmental and energy conservation awareness. Special Assistant Swann and Professional Practice Networks Coordinator Kasha Helget provided handouts on the green roof and the Sustainable Sites Initiativeâ„¢ (SITESâ„¢), presented a PowerPoint to promote the green roof, and showed off the website animations that demonstrate the benefits of landscape architecture.

Government Affairs

  • We Did It! Thanks to your efforts, ASLA collected 470 green infrastructure projects to submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ASLA has posted a preliminary analysis of the projects and, in the coming months, ASLA will share these individual projects with our members and the public on the ASLA website. EPA’s Office of Water has already begun to review the projects and analyze the associated data. Upon reviewing ASLA’s submitted projects, along with data and information from other stakeholders, EPA will issue a proposed rule in September 2011 and is expected to issue a final rule in December 2011. For more information, ASLA has created an issue brief on the proposed rulemaking.
  • ASLA sent a letter to Senators John Kerry (MA), Tom Udall (NM), and Bill Nelson (FL) thanking them for introducing S. Res. 126, a resolution recognizing UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention and celebrating the 2011 International Day for Monuments and Sites. This celebration recognizes the important natural and cultural contributions of sites.

Publishing and Resource Development

  • The link to the April free digital issue was sent to more than 40,000 contacts, posted on ASLA’s social networking sites, and “tweeted” on the Twitter accounts. Visits to the online edition are approaching 20,000. Page views total 213,939 and the average time spent viewing each page is three minutes.

Professional Practice

  • The Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition is holding its annual meeting April 12 – 13 in Washington, DC. Federal government affairs and professional practice staff are participating and representing ASLA.

Public Relations and Communications

  • ASLA’s Green Roof Experience subsite on asla.org is a finalist for the Webby Awards, the most prestigious award in the world for all things Internet. While just being a finalist is a huge accomplishment, voting is underway for the People’s Choice Webby Award. Sign up and vote for ASLA in the Associations category, using either Facebook, Twitter, or email.
  • ASLA’s YouTube Channel has surpassed 100,000 total views, making it one of the most popular within the entire design and construction industry. View and share the videos at www.youtube.com/landscapearchitects.
Additional Opportunities
Architects in Schools: Eugene Exhibits

Wednesday, May 25 4:30-6:30pm
Eugene Arts & Technology Academy, 1650 West 22nd in Gym 3

Landscape Legacies Lecture - Don't Miss Out!  Only One Lecture Left in Series.

Architects in Schools: Salem Exhibits

First Wednesday, June 1 5:00-7:30pm
Where the Sidewalk Begins, 233 Commercial St. NE

More Information
Job Listings

Landscape architecture firms can reach landscape architects across Oregon with an advertisement in NewsWire or on our website. Details click here.

Landscape Designer/Architect

BergerABAM is seeking an experienced professional to support ongoing design and production within our landscape architecture and urban design team. This person will be located in the BergerABAM office in Vancouver, Washington and support existing Pacific Northwest projects.

The ideal candidate will have 5 to 8 years of professional experience with strong design, production, and communication skills. This candidate will have excellent design and CAD production abilities, including construction drawings, details, and graphics. Candidates should have a basic knowledge of urban design, Northwest landscape plants, low impact development (LID), and LEED.

The duties of this position include:
• Working under the direction of senior staff to assist in the master planning, design, and development of open space, streetscape, and public facility projects.
• Providing AutoCAD design and production support during concept and schematic design, design development, and construction document phases.
• Providing drafting and graphic support for the BergerABAM engineering, public involvement, natural resource, and planning teams as required.
• Other duties as required.

Requirements
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape architecture from an accredited program
• Minimum 5 to 8 years of professional experience
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and ability to work in fast-paced, deadline-driven work environment
• Technical knowledge and experience preparing landscape construction documents for planting, irrigation, and hardscape using the principles of sustainable stormwater solutions/LID
• ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suite, and SketchUp knowledge a plus
• Strong written, graphic, and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-directed, and capable of working collaboratively with multi-discipline teams
• State registration as a landscape architect and/or LEED accreditation preferred
• Digital portfolio in .pdf format to accompany cover letter and resume

Position location: Vancouver, Washington
Position closes: 13 May 2011
Job #11-LA-02

Newswire Submittal Requirements

NewsWire is a publication of the Oregon Chapter ASLA.

NewsWire is published at the beginning of each month for annoucing information for the following month. All ads and information must be received by noon of the previous Friday for inclusion

Please send all submissions questions and comments to Dana Baisden.

Keeping Yourself Current

Please help us keep our mailing list current. Send updates or corrections of your contact information to info@aslaoregon.org.

Contact Us

Executive Committee and other contact information is available at the Chapter Website

For mailing and other administrative inquiries about the chapter, contact:

ASLA Oregon Chapter
147 SE 102nd Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97216
phone: 503.227.6156
fax: 503.253.9172
info@aslaoregon.org

Follow Us

Oregon ASLA Facebook Page
Oregon ASLA Emerging Professionals Facebook Page
Oregon ASLA on Twitter
Oregon ASLA Blog

April 5, 2011 Edit

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April is National Landscape Architecture Month!

Celebrate National Architecture Month!

March 17, 2011 Edit

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Newswire - March 2011

MARCH 2011

Upcoming Chapter Events

Announcements

Event Calendar

Check out the online Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date listing of opportunities!

Additional Opportunities

More Information

UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS
LANDSCAPE FUSION: 2011 ASLA Oregon Chapter Annual Symposium & Charrette
April 15-16, 2011 - Portland, OR








Charette

Friday, April 15, 2011 at 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
ALTA Planning + Design, 711 SE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97214

Emerging Professionals Social
Friday, April 15, 2011 at 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water Ave., Portland, OR 97214

2011 Annual Symposium
Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Portland State University, Shattuck Hall Annex, 1914 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR 97201

CE Credits
Symposium - 6.0 hours of HSW PDH credits and 1.5 hours of general PDH credits.
Charrette - 1 hour of PDH credit.

For more details and to register for this event Click Here!


EXHIBITS & SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE!

Exhibits are a cost-effective way to make new contacts. Exhibit registration includes one full symposium registration for the primary representative for access to the educational offerings, meals, breaks and all session materials.

Sponsorships are a great way to support ASLA Oregon Chapter programs, as well as gain increased exposure. Sponsors will be listed in the Symposium program, on the website, in the Newswire, etc. Sponsors will also be recognized on-site at the event.

For more exhibit and sponsorship details and to sign up today Click Here!

ASLA/AIA EMERGING PROFESSIONALS JOINT MOVIE NIGHT:
Aboriginal Architecture: Living Architecture
93 Minutes
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Doors Open at 5:30pm / Free Admission
Center for Architecture / 403 Northwest 11th Avenue, PDX
Pizza by the Slice + Beer + Wine Offered

Join us for a screening! 
The Oregon ASLA and AIA Portland Emerging Professionals Committees are pleased to invite you to join us in the viewing of Aboriginal Architecture, a 93 minute documentary showcasing a unique view into contemporary North American Native Architecture. This film depicts a wide variety of traditional responses to the modern concerns of constructability, materiality, energy and environmentally concious design. By touring seven Aboriginal communities - Pueblo, Mohawk, Inuit, Crow, Navajo, Coast Salish, and Haida - a renaissance of traditional forms, materials, and approaches are presented which meld with the requirements of contemporary life.
A testament to the importance and inter-related nature of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, please join us for this stunning movie, delicious snacks, and special discussion!
See you there!


Download the PDF Flyer


For more information contact: anthonym@waterleafarch.com / christopher@kochla.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Request for Qualifications: 
Celilo Falls Interpretive Pavilion, Celilo Park, Oregon

Confluence Project invites local artists, architects, and/or designers living in Oregon or Washington to submit their qualifications for the artistic design of an interpretive pavilion and plaza to complement Maya Lin’s tribute artwork at Celilo.

Preference will be given to Native American artists/designers with a strong connection to the Columbia River Basin and Plateau. 3-4 qualified artists/designers will be selected by a design review committee and granted a stipend of $1,800 to team with a licensed architect of their choice and develop a design proposal.


Deadline for submitted qualifications: Wednesday, March 30, 2011—5:00pm PST

* Download the full process PDF.

* Qualification submissions will be accepted online (see this website for updates and information about the process).

* Please fill out the website submission form and upload appropriate materials. Only completed submissions will be considered.

* Send questions to: pavilion_design@confluenceproject.org.

* Questions will be accepted until Monday, March 21, 2011—5:00pm PST. An open house to learn more about the project, view the design model, and answer your questions is planned for Tuesday, March 22, from 6:00—7:00 pm. Doors will open at 5:30 at 415 West Sixth Street, Vancouver, WA, 98660.

JobLinks

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:

1. Visit the JobLink home page.
2. Click “Post a Job.”
3. 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).
4. Complete the fields requested. From the “Career Category” drop down menu, “Internship” must be selected in order to receive the free posting.
5. 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.
6. Click “Proceed to Payment” to proceed with the order.
7. Review the details of the order, then click “Ok” to finalize the order.
8. 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 me at cmitchell@asla.org.

ASLA requests case studies on green infrastructure for stormwater management case studies

Recently, ASLA announced its advocacy efforts to demonstrate to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that green infrastructure design techniques are highly- effective, cost-efficient tools to address stormwater management. Please encourage your chapter members working on stormwater management projects that utilize green infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) to use the ASLA Green Infrastructure Project Survey to tell us about their project(s).

In filling out the survey, EPA is looking for particular project information, including:

estimated cost of the project
specific stormwater management design techniques utilized
amount of impervious areas that was managed
stormwater reduction performance analysis
number jobs created
any other community or economic benefits resulting from the project

As you may know, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a national rulemaking to establish a comprehensive program to reduce stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment and make other improvements to strengthen its stormwater program. EPA announced that during this rulemaking process, it will examine, analyze and evaluate sustainable green infrastructure design techniques that mimic natural water processes that infiltrate and recharge, evapotranspire, and/or harvest and reuse precipitation. This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the work of landscape architects and demonstrate to EPA that green infrastructure design techniques and Low Impact Development (LID) are highly-effective and cost-efficient tools for communities to address their stormwater issues.

Upon demonstrating the tremendous value of green infrastructure design techniques, EPA could issue a final rule that encourages more communities to utilize landscape architecture projects to help manage their rainwater and other water quality issues. This is an important time for landscape architects. Please submit your projects today!

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me about this important federal advocacy effort.

Roxanne Blackwell, Esq.
Federal Government Affairs Manager
American Society of Landscape Architects
636 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-216-2334
rblackwell@asla.org

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Launches a Series of Educational, Google SketchUp Animations

With funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) launched a series of educational, Google SketchUp animations designed to introduce some basic sustainable landscape design concepts to the general public. Metropolis magazine, in praising the effort, called one animation “Landscape Architecture for Dummies,” but really the goal was to briefly, clearly illustrate the breadth and depth of a relatively unknown, yet important, field of design that actually affects all of us.

The animations, created by Daniel Tal, ASLA, also presented ASLA with an opportunity to show people how landscape architects use sustainable design approaches to solve pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges.

* The first animation, “From Industrial Wasteland to Community Park,” explains how damaged landscapes can be restored through bioremediation and redesign. Bioremediation, which involves using microbes and plants to restore soil health, remains a little known technique, but actually offers a highly cost-effective solution for dealing with those acres and acres of brownfields still polluting most American cities.

* “Leveraging the Landscape to Manage Water” focuses in on how green infrastructure systems – including green roofs, bio-retention systems, and permeable pavements – work together to manage stormwater. Again, many communities face increasingly expensive stormwater runoff and pollution problems, and this animation presents viable examples of how to use the landscape to solve these water infrastructure issues. The animation illustrates what happens below the ground as well.

* “Revitalizing Communities with Parks” exposes the inequalities in access to park space in many communities, but also presents a positive vision for how an asphalt parking lot can be easily turned into a green social gathering place. With so many communities left out by their park systems, this animation offers a way forward for communities seeking to build long-lasting assets for themselves. For this one, Allison Arieff, a noted design journalist, provided the narration.

* To address the critical health problems caused by our dysfunctional built environment -- obesity, diabetes, and depression -- “Designing for Active Living” presents some model design fixes that can together totally revamp the way people move through a community. Complex ideas like “transit-oriented development” and “complete streets,” or streets for all users, come to life. The idea is to show how any car-centric community could make these design fixes and help reduce their expensive medical problems. Arieff also narrated this one.

* Lastly, “Building a Park Out of Waste,” takes aim at the greenhouse gas emissions that come from building construction – some 5.5 percent of total emissions. Instead of sending demolition waste to the landfill and throwing out all that embedded energy, this animation suggests ways to maximize available resources and reuse building materials in a new park, lessening greenhouse gas emissions in the process. With a sustainable landscape, everything old can be made new again.

These animations and their supporting materials are meant to help the public get a sense of both sustainable landscape design and the type of work that landscape architects do. Each animation has a companion guide to sustainability education resources. Designed specifically for students from kindergarten to 12th grade, the resources include curricula, games, activity guides, and videos to help classrooms explore these ideas in greater depth. All these resources are at your disposal when you are discussing the profession in your communities.

Greenroads

Great news, Greenroads is looking for new projects and enthusiastic people and organizations to join in our mission to support sustainability in transportation!

First Greenroads Project Starts Construction

That's right, ground has broken on our first project already! Check out our photostream on Facebook for more information about the Southeast Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project with the City of Oak Harbor, WA!

Spring Application Period Now Open Through April 30

We are now accepting new applicants for project reviews. We have also posted our Selection Criteria to assist you with deciding which project to submit as well as a quick primer on How to Get Your Project Rated. The application period will close on April 30, 2011 at 11:59pm. We are accepting applications on an approximately quarterly basis so do not fret if you miss this deadline - there will be another soon.

Public Comment Period Closes May 7

We posted the latest Greenroads Manual on February 4. Our public comment period officially opened February 7, 2011 and will close on May 7, 2011. Please consider registering as a Reviewer to add your helpful comments soon!

Become a Member, Sponsor or Volunteer

If you are interested in getting involved with Greenroads Foundation, please take a look at our brand new Join page.

Website Facelift

You may notice a bit of rearranging has been going on with the website - we are very pleased with our facelift so far, especially the home page! Let us know what you think!

Re:STREETS Website is Now Operational!

The Re:STREETS website is now operational! Take a look at the latest information about the Re:STREETS project that is developing a comprehensive manual of design tools for building streets that balance the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages as well as promote social interaction, recreation, commerce and ecosystem regeneration.

The manual will be developed collaboratively during a working conference and design charette at UC Berkeley, July 21-23, 2011. The final publication will be developed from the conference work sessions. Interested professionals from a wide range of disciplines are encouraged to participate, especially landscape architects.

For more information please go to www.restreets.org or contact me at kirstenn@migcom.com.

February 2011 Trustee’s Report:

Some of the highlights from our National Office and a local advocacy efforts over the past month are as follows:

Governance and Administration:
The ASLA Executive Committee met in Washington, DC, February 11-12. Highlights of the meeting included: review of the fourth quarter Program and Operations Report and the FY 2010 year-end finance and investments report; federal advocacy updates; a meeting with the senior staff of the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI); review of proposed revisions to administrative policies on conflict of interest and document retention for action by the Board of Trustees at midyear; review of proposed amendments to the ASLA Constitution and Bylaws to bring those documents into conformance with the new ASLA/Landscape Architecture Foundation Memorandum of Understanding; and a briefing from the U.S. General Services Administration’s Commissioner of the Public Building Service, Robert A. Peck, Hon. ASLA.

The Executive Committee also continued discussions on two issues related to member qualifications: 1) whether licensure should be required for Full membership in the Society; and 2) whether Full membership should be open to internationally educated landscape architects in place of the International membership category. The Licensure Committee has taken the lead on the licensure/membership issue while the Member Services Committee has taken the lead on the international/membership issue, with collaboration between committees for both projects. Please provide me with your thoughts on these cricitcal issues.

Government Affairs:
Important Reminder! Chapter leaders, please encourage your members to use the ASLA Green Infrastructure Projects Survey to submit case studies and background information on their stormwater management projects. ASLA is working to submit at least 300 case studies to demonstrate to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the effectiveness and cost benefits of green infrastructure and Low Impact Development to address stormwater issues. EPA has begun the preliminary stages of the Proposed National Rulemaking To Strengthen the Stormwater Program, which could call for increased use of green infrastructure techniques, which could provide tremendous employment opportunities for the profession. We need everyone’s participation on this critical advocacy effort!

ASLA was invited to participate in a Let’s Move conference call featuring First Lady Michelle Obama, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Let’s Move Honorary co-chairs Drew Brees and Dominique Dawes, and Mark Dessauer from Healthy Kids Healthy Communities.

Finally, I represented the Oregon chapter along with Tim Van wormer who represented OSLAB as participants in a joint advocacy day on February 28, in Salem. It was billed as the Oregon Design Professionals Day at the Capitol (landscape architects, architects, engineers and surveyors). ASLA provided magazines and handouts in support of this effort. We met 8 Senators and Representatives including the Senate President, Peter Courtney. We also heard from the Co-Chairs of the House along with three other Representatives who talked to the group. It was a great first step in what we hope will be an ongoing communication with the State politicians to advocate for our professions. Unfortunately there were only 2 LA’s compared the other 3 professions who had many volunteers. Keep this in mind for future events if you expect LA’s to make their voices heard.

april IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MONTH!

Check out these links for more information about National Landscape Architecture Month!

ASLA NLAM2011

Designing our Future: Sustainable Landscapes

Public Relations 365
Need help with your chapter’s PR? We officially introduce ASLA Public Relations 365. Join the conversation and check out this new living chapter public relations resource. As chapters participate, we can more aptly meet your needs not to mention having a fun time doing it!

Looking to get involved with your local chapter?
Have an idea for Landscape Architecture Month 2011?
Contact ASLA Oregon Communications Chair, Christopher Olin, today!

EVENT CALENDAR

Check out the online Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date listing of opportunities!

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
IIDA Oregon March Forum









































You can register @ http://iidaforummarch2011.eventbrite.com

Tickets are limited and will sell out so please register today.

Ecoroof Portland 2011

The third annual Ecoroof Portland event will take place on Friday, March 18th, at the Oregon Convention Center. Ecoroof Portland 2011 participants will learn how ecoroofs work, why they're important, and what resources are available to help start their own projects. You will get information directly from ecoroof vendors including architects, consultants, contractors, landscape architects, manufacturers, nurseries, structural engineers, suppliers, researchers, and non-profit and community organizations. The keynote speakers will be Paul Kephart of Rana Creek and Wolfgang Ansel of the International Green Roof Association. We will have several speakers and public tours available throughout the month of March. All are free and open to the public. ASLA members can learn all about them by visiting our website at www.portlandonline.com/bes/ecoroofpdx.

Ray Freeman to teach a LARE Section E prep class in Seattle

The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take Section E: Grading & Drainage of the Landscape Architects Registration Examination. In this course, students will learn how the performance sections of the LARE are organized, what material is typically covered on the exam, strategy tips on attacking the vignettes and how the vignettes are evaluated by the licensing boards. The course will also take students through the fundamentals of grading and drainage, intermediate-level concepts for grading and problem solving techniques applied to sample exercises. Students will participate through lecture, group discussion and practice exercises, with each exercise increasing in difficulty until ultimately reaching the level of the actual exam vignettes. Each student will receive a course syllabus containing approximately 130 pages of information pertinent to Section E of the exam as well as 25 exercises and vignettes. Desk crits while working are part of the class.

Date: March 25-27, 2011
Friday 8:30 am – 6:30 pm, Saturday 8:30 am – 6:30 pm, and Sunday 8:30 am – 6:00 pm.
University of Washington, Gould Hall Room 114

To learn more or register online visit http://wasla201103lare.eventbrite.com

Illuminated City: A Light with Content Symposium

via Jeff Schnabel
Department of Architecture
Portland State University

The Department of Architecture at Portland State University is proud to announce its second annual symposium, Illuminated City: A Light with Content Symposium, on Saturday, April 9, at the PSU Shattuck Hall Annex. Made possible through generous private donations and strategic partnerships, this year's event will explore new lighting technologies and strategies that enrich the built environment, and will feature presenters and artists from around the globe.

"This symposium, the second in a new series of annual events, brings international perspectives into the local and regional debate about architectural issues that affect us all," said Clive Knights, Chair of the Department of Architecture. "As a school fascinated by the capabilities of material to embody meaning, it seems imperative to talk about what is perhaps the most pervasive medium of all - light."

This all-day event will showcase the work of national and international experts, including Leni Schwendinger of Light Projects, LTD, Ali Momeni of Minneapolis Art on Wheels, Thomas Schielke of Germany's arclighting, and the founders of Urbanscreen, a light projection company from Germany. All will present their research in lighting design and technology, and discuss how practitioners here in the Pacific Northwest can make use of this emerging element to architecture. Presenters will also demonstrate some of their more recent works on-site at Shattuck Hall.

"Attendees will get first-hand information on radically new ideas about urban lighting and the technologies that make them possible," said Jeff Schnabel, Assistant Professor of Architecture and the Chair
of the Symposium Committee. "They will see demonstrations of light media in the venue and will be able to talk with the designers who created them."

In conjunction with the symposium, the Department of Architecture will host a special PechaKucha ("chit-chat" in Japanese) night, open to attendees and other members of the public. Devised in Tokyo in 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network and show their works in public, PechaKucha hinges upon a 20-image x 20-second presentation format, which keeps the event concise and rapidly paced.

The second in a series of annual symposia, Illuminated City is sponsored in-part by InFocus Projections, SpitBall Media, the Regional Arts & Culture Council and the Portland Development Commission. The event is open to the public with payment of a $45 registration fee, and is an AIA-approved continuing education event.

The PSU Department of Architecture's faculty hopes that this event will bring the strategic use of light and projection to the forefront of the Portland architecture community's conversation about emerging media, as well as strengthen Portland's reputation as a leader in progressive, sustainable architecture.

"Several European countries and Australia are currently the centers of renewed interest in urban lighting," Schnabel said. "It is moving slowly into the States, but we have the unique opportunity to make Portland a leader while simultaneously enriching the place we live. As designers and planners, we often don't think as much about the nighttime condition as we should. This symposium is an opportunity to change that."

For more information on the event, visit www.illuminated-city.com
Please contact the Department of Architecture at 503.725.8405 or architecture@pdx.edu with questions.

San Diego Chapter to hold LARE Section E Review Course

The San Diego ASLA Chapter will be holding a LARE Section E review course on April 22 - 24 at the New School of Architecture and Design (downtown San Diego).

Please Click Here to view the flyer or visit their website at: http://www.asla-sandiego.org/Download/LARE%20SECTION%20E_SD%20flyer.pdf

Nevada Chapter to Host Two LARE Workshops

The Nevada Chapter will be hosting two workshops this spring for Sections C&E. The workshops will be held in May. For registration form and additional information, please contact Tammi Gaudet at 702. 270.4025 or tammi.gaudet@cox.net

MORE INFORMATION

Job Listings

Landscape architecture firms can reach landscape architects across Oregon with an advertisement in NewsWire or on our website. Details click here.

NewsWire Submittal Requirements

NewsWire is a publication of the Oregon Chapter ASLA.

NewsWire is published at the beginning of each month for annoucing information for the following month. All ads and information must be received by noon of the previous Friday for inclusion

Please send all submissions questions and comments to Dana Baisden.

Keeping Yourself Current

Please help us keep our mailing list current. Send updates or corrections of your contact information to info@aslaoregon.org

Contact US

Executive Committee and other contact information is available at the Chapter Website

For mailing and other administrative inquiries about the chapter, contact:

ASLA Oregon Chapter
147 SE 102nd Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97216
phone: 503.227.6156
fax: 503.253.9172
info@aslaoregon.org

FOLLOW US

Oregon ASLA Facebook Page
Oregon ASLA Emerging Professionals Facebook Page
Oregon ASLA on Twitter
Oregon ASLA Blog

November 29, 2010 Edit

in News

Newswire - December 2010

 

DECEMBER 2010

Upcoming Chapter Events:

Announcements:

Event Calendar

Check out the online Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date listing of opportunities!

Additional Opportunities

More Information

CHAPTER EVENTS
12.02 | design|spring construction professionals gathering (EUGENE)

It’s time for (beer):30!

Design|Spring is starting a new tradition: a semi-annual gather of emerging design, engineering and construction professionals from Design|Spring, CSI, ASLA and more! Our hope is to open up lines of communication and allow all of us to get to know each other better. Even if you don’t care for beer, we still hope to see you!

Date/Time: Thursday, December 2 at 5:30
Location: The Bridge – 444 E. 3rd Street – Eugene, OR – right next to the Ferry Street Bridge (the former Peabody’s)

Contact Mariko Blessing with any questions.

12.07 | MT HOOD SECTION: Crystal springs stream restoration

Crystal Springs Stream Restoration
Dennis O'Connor with Habitat Concepts and Zachariah Perry, Crystal Springs Canyon Manager at Reed College will discuss the restoration of a degraded urban creek into a canyon habitat.

Date: December 7, 2010
Time: 5:30
Location: 1204 SE Water Avenue. (New location)

Dennis O’Connor has over 30 years of experience as a landscape designer and restoration ecologist, specializing in stream and wetland enhancement and upland erosion control projects. He has participated in the construction supervision and/or installation of a majority of his projects, whether working with a contractor or a youth crew. He is the author of several publications on drought resistant plants and their use, soil bioengineering, and stream enhancement. Dennis approaches landscape design with an understanding of ecological functions and aesthetic values of natural systems, and the desire to create self-sustaining systems that benefit both the public and natural environment.

NEW LOCATION for Mt. Hood Section Events!
1204 SE Water Avenue, Portland. (This is a new location and is 5 five blocks north of Group Mackenzie's offices. The building is on the Southeast corner of Water Avenue and Salmon Street.)

Upcoming

January 11, 2011 at 5:30 pm Permeable Paving
Gale Schroeder with Willamette Graystone will explain the design and installation requirements for permeable paving.

February 1, 2011 at 5:30 Urban Greenspaces
Mike Houck, Executive Director of the Urban Greenspaces Institute will discuss his work.

Information

Our goal as the new Mt. Hood section co-chairs is to provide opportunities for members to obtain Professional Development Hours at the section meetings. Please contact Steve Shapiro (steve@shapiro-la.com) or Joyce Jackson (jjackson@maulfoster.com) if you care to suggest a topic.

12.09 | Emerging Professionals Fall 101 Series Workshop + Happy Hour

Join the ASLA Oregon Emerging Professionals Committee for this educational event in Portland on December 9th featuring a lighting workshop, tour, and ending with a happy hour.

We are pleased to welcome parties of all disciplines to our Fall EP 101 Series Event!

Join us for an informative workshop session, specialty lighting tour and happy hour!

$3 at the door / free to ASLA Members
1.5 PDH credit hours available

6:00pm
Rendezvous and Basics of Lighting Demo
GreenWorks PC, 24 NW 2nd, PDX

6:30pm
Pearl District Specialty Lighting Tour
Led by HL Stearns Lighting Rep Kandy Welch

8:00pm
Emerging Professionals Happy Hour
BridgePort BrewPub, 1313 NW Marshall, PDX


More Information:
Contact Christopher Olin via email or by phone at 503.286.7175.
Download a PDF of the flier to share with others.

Join the Emerging Professionals Facebook Group for more info



l a n d s c a p e  f u s i o n  | April 15-16, 2011.

Please save the date to join us for the next ASLA Oregon Annual Symposium entitled “Landscape Fusion”. This will be the premiere landscape architecture event of the year, held April 15 & 16, 2011 in Portland State University’s Shattuck Hall.

Highlights include:

• Keynote Speaker Walter Hood, FASLA
• Friday Tour and Charrette Events
• Opportunity to acquire at least six Professional Development Hours (PDHs)
• State of the Practice CEO Forum
• Technical Break-out Learning Sessions
• Socializing with your fellow landscape architecture professionals!

More specifics will be announced in coming weeks.  For more information, or to volunteer for the event planning, contact Marianne Zarkin ASLA Oregon Vice-President for Chapter Services at 503.758.3131 / mzarkin@gmail.com or Dana Baisden 503.227.6156 / dbaisden@updatemanagement.com.

CHAPTER ANNOUNCEMENTS
in memoriam: Brian mccarthy

The Oregon Chapter was saddened by the news of the passing of Brian McCarthy, Managing Principal of Eugene-based Cameron McCarthy.

A memorial service was held on November 14, 2010 at The Shedd Institute in Eugene for Brian David McCarthy of Eugene, who died Nov. 3 from an aortic aneurysm. He was 60.
He was born on Oct. 24, 1950, in Pasadena, Calif., to Walter and Betty Blackwell McCarthy. He married Caroline Moore on Aug. 30, 1975, in Portland.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture at the University of Oregon. He worked for the Portland planning department for one year and then for Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture in Eugene.
Survivors include his wife; his mother, Joan McCarthy, of Newport Beach, Calif.; two sons, Cogan of Oakland, Calif., and Colin of Eugene; and a brother, Robert, of Mission Viejo, Calif.
Remembrances to the Pacific Rivers Council.

recent updates to the blog

A selection of links to the Oregon ASLA blog, which has featured a number of recent posts with information related to landscape architecture, at home and abroad.  Subscribe to the blog feed to make sure you don't miss any of the great content.

As always, we're on the lookout for news of interest to members, so please links or suggestions to Jason King at jason@terrafluxus.com 

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS STILL NEEDED FOR THE ARCHITECTS IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM!

The Architects in Schools Program is still in need of volunteer landscape architects for the 2010-2011 school year! Architects in Schools matches professional landscape architects with 3rd through 5th grade teachers for a 6 week classroom residency at no cost to the schools. The program is based on a curriculum guide that teachers and their partner landscape architect can use to complement existing curriculum. The curriculum uses architectural concepts to teach math, science, social studies, language arts and other disciplines and includes 'green' designing concepts. Landscape architects who've participated report the experience of sharing their passion with young people to be very rewarding.

For applications, questions and more information, please contact Kim Ruthardt Knowles as soon as possible at 503.317.7537. Go to the website for more information about the Architecture Foundation of Oregon

WV Section Call for Volunteers for Golf Tournament

ASLA Members, Associates & Colleagues:  
A lot of us in the Eugene area play golf. ASLA Oregon-WVS would like to set up a golf tournament in September 2011 for landscape architects and other design and construction professionals. Marina Wrensch, co-chair for our Willamette Valley Section of ASLA, is requesting volunteers for a committee that could help with organizing the event. Tasks may include: finding a location for the tournament, fund raising, sponsors, catering, etc. She would like to have the committee set up by mid-November and hopes to have the first meeting around that time. This event is a fundraiser for the Willamette Valley Section and will directly benefit us as ASLA members. It is also a great way to socialize and make connections. So, please help out and volunteer. Your help is always greatly appreciated!

If you would like to volunteer or have any questions about the event, please contact Marina via email at Marina@cmgsla.com or phone at 541.485.7385.

trustee's report: what's up at national?

November 2010 Trustee’s Report from Dave Walters.  Some of the highlights from our National Office the past month are as follows:

Governance and Administration

  • EVP Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, attended the Greenbuild conference in Chicago along with several other staff members last week. In addition to a presentation on SITESâ„¢ given by Dave Yocca, FASLA, on behalf of ASLA, ASLA members incorporated aspects of SITES into several sessions focused on site and stormwater. The Sustainable Sites Initiativeâ„¢ was credited as “an incredible resource” in a USGBC-led session focused on site-related revisions in the 2012 LEED update.

  • While in Chicago, Somerville met with American Planning Association Executive Director Paul Farmer, Hon. ASLA, to discuss international membership, the economy, and 2011 priorities.

Government Affairs

  • On November 9, Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Hon. ASLA, and National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, Hon. ASLA, signed off on a plan for a major overhaul of the National Mall. During the official ceremony, Director Jarvis thanked the American Society of Landscape Architects, along with a host of other organizations for their efforts and contributions to the final plan

  • Federal Government Affairs Manager Roxanne Blackwell continues to participate in the Complete Streets Federal Policy and Steering Committee meetings, where the coalition discusses moving a Complete Streets bill through Congress next year.

Landscape Architecture Magazine

  • LAM Editor Brad McKee also attended Greenbuild and met with about 20 of the magazine's advertisers or prospective advertisers to promote the redesign of the magazine, set to launch in January, as well as the more prominent and attractive placement LAM's editorial coverage of products will have when it moves from the back section of the magazine to the front as part of the redesign.

Public Relations and Communications

Member and Chapter Services

  • A new online student chapter report module was released. Student chapter presidents can now access their rosters on the student Web page. The module also allows chapter leadership to pull the students within their chapter jurisdiction.

Publishing and Resource Development

  • Department staff organized and staffed ASLA’s booth display at the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild last week in Chicago. The sales team walked the show to promote the ASLA EXPO and advertising in Landscape Architecture magazine (LAM). They reported heavy booth traffic and strong interest in landscape architecture and specifically SITES from attendees.
Want to Write for OregonLAND?  

As part of our expanded communication strategies, we are re-launching OregonLAND in 2011 as an online magazine, with original content, essays, project reviews, and other content relevant to landscape professionals in Oregon.  Our aim is to draw from around the region and beyond in developing content that reaches a range of practitioners, academics, and everyone in between in our broad professional sphere.

Monthly feature essays will be developed on a range of topics, along with coverage of local design and ASLA events drawing from a wide, interdisciplinary group of contributors.  The compilation of content will be curated once per year in a 'best of' edition that will be realized in a web and printed edition that will provide multiple platforms for disseminating information about landscape architecture to potential clients, collaborators, and related professionals.

We will kick of 2011 with regular meetings of the editorial group to get this ball rolling.  If you are interested in getting involved on editorial staff, to contribute articles, update web content, help with graphic design, track down sponsors, or anything else, please let Jason King know at jason@terrafluxus.com and by phone at 503.481.7826.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
12.9 | KENGO KUMA LECTURE - PORTLAND JAPANESE GARDEN

The Portland Japanese Garden is hosting world renowned architect, Kengo Kuma, at a free lecture on December 9. I have included some details below and a link to our website for more information – but please share this information with anyone who may be interested and encourage them to make reservations to ensure everyone has a seat!

Kengo Kuma Lecture
December 9, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Pavilion
Reservations required, space is limited.
events@japanesegarden.com or (503) 542-0280

Kengo Kuma Open House & Display of Design Concepts
December 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pavilion
Included with Garden admission
Public comment welcome

Additional Information

12.11 | civic ecology workshop - damascus

The City of Damascus is hosting a Civic Ecology workshop Saturday December 11, 2010 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm 

The workshop will be held at Damascus City Hall. Many of you may be familiar with Civic Ecology workshops held around the region. This is an exciting opportunity for us to work with Tim Smith and engage with the community. We hope to integrate this work into our Sustainability Plan and also be a catalyst for community led projects and programs.

Download a PDF of the flyer for the event.

Questions and/or RSVP to Erika Palmer at the City of Damascus

The Basics of Furniture and Fabrics for Outdoor Use | January 20, 2011

Join us for an afternoon at the delightful Leach Botanical Garden, Portland/ Explore the foundations of furniture and fabric selection:

  • How history & architecture influence furniture styles and why it matters
  • Fabric content and application “101”
  • Learn how to choose durable and sustainable materials;

AND
Get the inside scoop about how the furniture and
fabric industry trade works.

First come, first serve registration begins
December 1, 2010
Maximum 40 people

Download a PDF with more information on how to register. 

Workshop presented by:
Vanessa Nagel, APLD, NCIDQ, ANLD
SeasonsGardenDesign.com
AND
Bonnie Bruce, ANLD, FIIDA, LEED AP
CeliloGardens.com

Re:STREETS CONFERENCE | july 21-23, 2011

Streets Reconsidered: Inclusive Design for the Public Realm
Berkeley, California

In partnership with The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Complete Streets Coalition, America Walks, Smart Growth America and the urban planning and design fi rm of MIG, Inc., PLAE, Inc.
announces the Re:STREETS Conference.

More information, download a PDF here.

mORE INFORMATION
JOB LISTINGS

Landscape architecture firms can reach landscape architects across Oregon with an advertisement in NewsWire or on our website.  Details click here.

NewsWire Submittal Requirements

NewsWire is a publication of the Oregon Chapter ASLA.

NewsWire is published at the beginning of each month for annoucing information for the following month. All ads and information must be received by noon of the previous Friday for inclusion

Please send all submissions questions and comments to Jason King.

Keeping Yourself Current

Please help us keep our mailing list current. Send updates or corrections of your contact information to info@aslaoregon.org 

Contact Us

Executive Committee and other contact information is available at the Chapter website.

For mailing and other administrative inquiries about the chapter, contact:

ASLA Oregon Chapter
147 SE 102nd Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97216
phone: 503.227.6156
fax: 503.253.9172
info@aslaoregon.org 

November 27, 2010 Edit

in News

Alumni duo wins honors in landscape preservation challenge

Enchanted Forest now part of Historic American Landscapes Survey

EUGENE, Ore. -- (Nov. 12, 2010) -- Seventeen years ago, a class project by landscape architecture students laid the groundwork for award-winning work in 2010. Two alumni received second place honors in the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) Theme Park Challenge for Oregon’s Enchanted Forest.

In 1993, as students in Professor Kenneth Helphand's History of Landscape Architecture, Jean Senechal Biggs, BLA ’95, and Cathleen Corlett, MLA ’96, were part of a five-member student team that also included September Vhay, BArch ‘93, Sarah Lewis, BArch ’94, and former landscape architecture student Michael Warren. The students chose to study the Enchanted Forest, a storybook theme park that has been continually owned and operated by the Tofte family since 1964. “Kenny was enthusiastic about our choice for the assignment to document an Oregon landscape. Disneyland may be the best-known of all U.S. theme parks, but the Enchanted Forest is distinctly Oregon and is treasured by many,” says Senechal Biggs.

Helphand connected Corlett and Senechal Biggs with HALS liaison Laurie Matthews, MLA ‘01, who encouraged them to enter the Theme Park Challenge. The two realized that their student work was the foundation a HALS submission. In June 2010, they revisited the site and interviewed the park’s founder, Roger Tofte, to complete their inventory.

Now in its tenth year, the HALS program is a partnership between the National Park Service, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the Library of Congress. The program depends on volunteers to systematically document a variety of historic American landscapes. "Until we have permanent, secure funding for HALS, we depend greatly on such wonderful donations," says Paul Dolinsky, HALS chief at the National Park Service.

First place honors in the Theme Park Challenge went to a faculty-student team from Virginia Tech for their documentation of Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, Maryland. Documentation of Sonoma Traintown Railroad in Sonoma, California won third place. Winning entries will be featured on the Library of Congress website in 2011.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 63 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Karen Johnson, AAA Communications, (541) 346-3603, karenjj@uoregon.edu

November 6, 2010 Edit

in News

Japanese Garden Curator to Review Garden’s Past and Future

From the East County Gazette:  The Master Gardener program will be held on November 8, at Milwaukie Center, 5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., presenting Sada Uchiyama’s review of Portland’s Japanese Garden. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Sadafumi (Sada) Uchiyama, the Garden Curator of the Portland Japanese Garden, is a third-generation Japanese gardener. Sada received Bachelor and Master in landscape architecture from University of Illinois and he is a registered landscape architect in Oregon and California. Two of his representative projects include the renovation of Osaka Garden (the Japanese Government exhibition site at the 1893 Columbia Exposition) at Jackson Park in Chicago and the renovation of Shofu-en Garden at Denver Botanic Gardens. Prior to becoming the Garden’s Curator, Sada taught landscape design courses at Clackamas Community College.

:: image by Michel Hersen


Presentation Synopsis

Portland Japanese Garden has offered a personal encounter with Japanese culture and a tranquil experience that celebrates the natural beauty of Oregon for more than 45 years. The stewards of this cultural treasure continue today to strive for the same standard of perfection sought by garden designers in Japan for more than 1500 years. Nobuo Matsunaga, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States, proclaimed the Portland Japanese Garden to be “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside Japan.” Through the eye of the Garden Curator, Sada’s presentation will review the past and current and look into the future of the Portland Japanese Garden.

For more information, call (503) 653-8100.

November 5, 2010 Edit

in News

National CLARB Survey Is Underway

Please help defend and define the licensed practice of landscape architecture by participating in the task analysis validation survey.  Every five to seven years the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) conducts a Task Analysis of the practice of landscape architecture to ensure that the Landscape Architectural Registration Exam (L.A.R.E.) accurately reflects the knowledge and skills required to practice as a licensed professional. Task Analysis results are also used at the state level to help define, support and defend critical aspects of the licensed profession of landscape architecture.  This year's revision expands the core competencies to include concepts of sustainability, health and public well-being. The survey asks you to identify and rank tasks, knowledge and skills affecting public health, safety and welfare and critical to professional performance.

Your input is vital to this process, so please watch your mailboxes for the Task Analysis survey invitation. To capture the diversity of the profession, CLARB is sending the survey to a representative sample of landscape architects and those pursuing licensure across the U.S. and Canada.

Why should I participate?

Another important aspect of the Task Analysis is to ensure that respondents embody a wide representation of the profession. This ensures that all aspects of practice are considered and incorporated into the analysis. Just a small investment of your time to complete the Task Analysis survey will help strengthen the profession and its ability to serve and protect the public through validation of the current scope of practice.

  • Support the defense of your scope of practice.
  • Make your voice heard in the new standards for core competency as a licensed landscape architect.
  • Ensure that all critical aspects of licensed practice are recognized (scope has increased to include concepts of sustainability, health and public well-being).

This is your opportunity to give back to the profession.

The deadline for completing the survey is November 19.

If you have questions regarding the Task Analysis, please contact CLARB at info@clarb.org 

November 3, 2010 Edit

in News

Systems, Not Icons

An article in Architect magazine 'Systems, Not Icons' discusses the expanding relevance of the profession of landscape architecture.  Featuring national firms such as James Corner Field Operations, AECOM, and West 8 - the article also discusses the new trend of 'landscape urbanism' in action. 

An excerpt from the article:

Not long ago, landscape architects were often dismissed as the consultants who put finishing touches on a building site—the broccoli around a steak. But with landscape architects increasingly taking lead positions on large-scale projects, winning urban design competitions around the world, and expanding the design market share, broccoli, clearly, is a thing of the past.  read more...

November 3, 2010 Edit

in News

Newswire - November 2010

 

NOVEMBER 2010

Upcoming Chapter Events:

Announcements:

Event Calendar

Check out the online Calendar of Events for the most up-to-date listing of opportunities!

Additional Opportunities

More Information

CHAPTER EVENTS

11.01 ASLA Oregon Launches New Website

The Oregon Chapter is proud to announce the launch of the new ASLA Oregon website, with a new look and streamlined content based on feedback from the members and others statewide.   Please visit the site to see all of the new opportunities for information about landscape architecture in the state.

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or information you'd like added, or an upcoming event or news story, don't hesitate to drop a line.  Remember the site is the tool for landscape architects to get the word out in the state about what we do and how we can contribute to livability and sustainability of the region.  

We are also looking for volunteers to help keep the information flowing and up-to-date, so please contact Jason King if you are interested in helping.

11.09 | Landscape Architects still needed for the Architects in Schools Program!

The Architects in Schools Program is still in need of volunteer landscape architects for the 2010-2011 school year! Architects in Schools matches professional landscape architects with 3rd through 5th grade teachers for a 6 week classroom residency at no cost to the schools. The program is based on a curriculum guide that teachers and their partner landscape architect can use to complement existing curriculum. The curriculum uses architectural concepts to teach math, science, social studies, language arts and other disciplines and includes 'green' designing concepts. Landscape architects who've participated report the experience of sharing their passion with young people to be very rewarding. For applications, questions and more information, please contact Kim Ruthardt Knowles as soon as possible at 503.317.7537 or kim_ais@msn.com. For more information about the Architecture Foundation of Oregon, go to the website.

For those already signed up for AFO’s Architects in Schools Program there is a committee meeting scheduled in early November:

Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Time: 5:00pm
Location: KPFF Consulting Engineers | 111 SW 5th Avenue #2500 | Portland, OR 97204

11.12  | Oregon state landscape architects board meeting

The next meeting of the OSLAB Board will take place on November 12th at 9am.  The meeting location is Conference Room A, 2nd Floor at The Association Center, 707 13th Street SE, Oregon 97301.

Meetings are open to the public.  Parties interested in the regulation of Landscape Architects or the practice of landscape architecture are invited to attend.

Link to the Public Meeting Announcement

Link to the Meeting Agenda





11.17 | willamette valley section event:   The Mirror and the Frame: John Yeon and the Landscape Art of China and Japan

When: Wednesday November 17th, 2010 12pm – 1:30pm
Where: Davis’ Restaurant (Olive & Broadway – Downtown Eugene)

Note: The date was changed from our usual 3rd Thursday of the month due to Kevin’s teaching schedule.

The buildings of the self-trained Portland architect and landscape conservationist John Yeon (1910-1994) are known for their close affinity with their natural surroundings. (See poster attached) To mark the centenary of his birth, this lecture examines parallels between techniques used to integrate buildings and landscapes in Yeon’s work and the traditional Chinese and Japanese art he collected throughout his career. The research being presented by University of Oregon professor Kevin Nute, was founded by the John Yeon Center of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon. Kevin Nute is the author of Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan and Place, Time and Being in Japanese Architecture.

More info, contact the WV Section Chairs.

12.07 | upcoming Mount Hood Section events

Crystal Springs Stream Restoration
Dennis O'Connor with Habitat Concepts and Zachariah Perry, Canyon Manager at Reed College will discuss the restoration of a degraded urban creek into a canyon habitat.

Date: December 7, 2010
Time: 5:30
Location: 1204 SE Water Avenue.

Permeable Paving
Gale Schroeder with Willamette Graystone will explain the design and installation requirements for permeable paving.

Date: January 11, 2011
Time: 5:30
Location: 1204 SE Water Avenue.

Urban Greenspaces
Mike Houck, Executive Director of the Urban Greenspaces Institute will discuss his work.

Date: February 1, 2011
Time: 5:30
Location: 1204 SE Water Avenue.

Note the new location of Mt. Hood Section events at 1204 SE Water Avenue, in Portland. This is a new location and is 5 five blocks north of Group Mackenzie's offices. The building is on the Southeast corner of Water Avenue and Salmon Street.

Our goal as the new Mt. Hood section co-chairs is to provide opportunities for members to obtain Professional Development Hours at the section meetings. Please contact Steve Shapiro (steve@shapiro-la.com) or Joyce Jackson (jjackson@maulfoster.com) if you care to suggest a topic.

12.09 | Emerging Professionals Fall 101 Series Workshop + Happy Hour

Join your fellow ASLA Emerging Professionals for a 101 Series Workshop followed by an informal happy hour event!  Mix, mingle, network… and learn!

Date: Thursday, December 9, 2010
Time: 6:00-7:30pm EP 101 Series Workshop / 8:00pm EP Happy Hour

Topic and location to be announced.

Would you be willing to share your experience and expertise at future EP 101 Series Workshops?

If so, please contact EP Co-Chairs Christopher Olin or Claire Maulhardt:

Christopher Olin | 503.286.7175 | christopher@kochla.com
Claire Maulhardt | 503.222.5612 | clairem@greenworkspc.com


Join the Emerging Professionals Facebook Group for more info



ANNOUNCEMENTS
Walter Hood to Keynote 2011 Symposium

The Oregon Chapter is pleased to announce that renowned landscape architect Walter Hood has been confirmed as the Keynote Speaker for the 2011 Symposium.  Some information from his bio:

Walter Hood is Professor and former Chair of the Landscape Architecture Department at the University of California, Berkeley, and principal of Hood Design in Oakland, CA. Hood has worked in a variety of settings including architecture, urban design, community planning, environmental art, and research. He was a fellow at the American Academy in Rome in Landscape Architecture in1997, and has exhibited and lectured on his professional projects and theoretical works nationally and abroad. Hood’s work was recently featured in the exhibition and publication, “Open: New Designs For Public Spaces” at the Van Alen Institute, NY; Metropolis Magazine; the New York Times; and Dwell Magazine. His firm designed the gardens and landscape for the new De Young Museum, San Francisco with Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron.

Walter Hood’s published monographs Urban Diaries and Blues & Jazz Landscape Improvisations illuminate his unique approach to the design of urban landscapes. These works won an ASLA Research award in 1996. His essay “Macon Memories” is featured in Sites of Memory, Princeton Architectural Press, 2001. Hood participated in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s “Revelatory Landscapes” Exhibition 2000-2001. He is currently researching and writing a book entitled Urban Landscapes; American Landscape Typologies. His area of teaching, the American Urban Landscape, is intertwined with his design work creating a didactic approach to the design of urban landscapes. .

Please save the date, April 16th, 2011 for what shapes up to be an informative and thought-provoking event.  Details are on-going, so look forward to more information updates and information in coming months.  Check on the 2010 Symposium information here.

News: Oregon's Enchanted Forest Places 2nd in HALS Theme Park Challenge 2010

For the tenth anniversary of the Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS), Chris Pattillo, one of three founders of the Northern California Chapter of HALS and founder of PGAdesign, issued a national Theme Park Challenge – a HALS initiative to document the landscapes of childhood. Landscape architecture preservation enthusiasts from every state were encouraged to complete at least one HALS short format history for a historic theme park landscape.


The submission of the Enchanted Forest, in Turner, OR by Cathleen Corlett and Jean Senechal Biggs was awarded 2nd Place.  For more information on the award, download the announcement here, and to find out about the 2011 HALS Challenge, click here.

WV Section Call for Volunteers for Golf Tournament

ASLA Members, Associates & Colleagues:  
A lot of us in the Eugene area play golf. ASLA Oregon-WVS would like to set up a golf tournament in September 2011 for landscape architects and other design and construction professionals. Marina Wrensch, co-chair for our Willamette Valley Section of ASLA, is requesting volunteers for a committee that could help with organizing the event. Tasks may include: finding a location for the tournament, fund raising, sponsors, catering, etc. She would like to have the committee set up by mid-November and hopes to have the first meeting around that time. This event is a fundraiser for the Willamette Valley Section and will directly benefit us as ASLA members. It is also a great way to socialize and make connections. So, please help out and volunteer. Your help is always greatly appreciated!

If you would like to volunteer or have any questions about the event, please contact Marina via email at Marina@cmgsla.com or phone at 541.485.7385.

WV Section LARE Reference Library

The Willamette Valley Section is now offering an LARE Reference Library with study materials available for check-out. If you wish to see a list of available materials, check-out items or donate to the library, please contact Marina Wrensch at marina@cmgsla.com.

Current Job Listings (October/November)

Landscape architecture firms can reach landscape architects across Oregon with an advertisement in NewsWire or on our web site.

Business Development Manager at Walker Macy

Landscape Designer/Architect at Berger/ABAM


trustee's report: what's up at national?

October 2010 Trustee’s Report from Dave Walters.  Some of the highlights from our National Office the past month are as follows:

Governance and Administration

  • ASLA hosted a group from the DC Department of the Environment for a green roof presentation. While the group stopped at several locations, the ASLA green roof was the only green roof on the list and the highlight of the group’s tour.

  • The Executive Committee monthly conference call was held. Agenda items included: selection of a vice president to serve on the EVP review committee; timeline and process for consideration and discussion of membership qualifications issues; debriefing on the 2010 Annual Meeting and EXPO; proposed $10 increase in the Council of Fellows scholarship program assessment; and scheduling of committee chair orientation conference calls and the confirmation of the slate of candidates for election in 2011, which are as follows: 

    • President-Elect: Richard S. Hawks, FASLA & Thomas R. Tavella, FASLA
    • VP Communications: Mark H. Hough, ASLA & Karen A. Phillips, FASLA
    • VP Education: Sara Katherine (Kay) Williams, FASLA & K. Richard Zweifel, FASLA
    • VP Government Affairs: Chad D. Danos, ASLA and Thomas R. Doolittle, ASLA

Government Affairs

  • David Yocca, FASLA, represented ASLA in testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Water and the Environment Subcommittee for a hearing entitled “Impact of Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development on the Nation’s Water Quality, Economy, and Communities.” ASLA Government Affairs staff prepared Mr. Yocca for his testimony , which focused on his landscape architecture projects and the multiple benefits that communities reap from utilizing green infrastructure approaches. Another witness included: Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, Hon. ASLA.

  • ASLA staff and Urban Park Coalition members met with senior Senate Banking Housing and Urban Affairs staff to discuss and promote the Livable Communities Act (LCA). ASLA is actively supporting Sen. Dodd’s and Rep. Pearlmutter’s efforts in the House and Senate to pass LCA before the end of this Congress. The LCA was recently passed favorably out of the Senate Banking Committee and was heard before the House Financial Services Committee.

  • ASLA has signed onto a letter thanking President Obama for his “commitment to the development of a conservation and outdoor recreation agenda for the 21st Century through the America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative.” ASLA joined the Alaska Wilderness League, Sierra Club, Conservation Lands Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Environment America, National Parks Conservation Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Wilderness Society, and others. Previously, ASLA submitted comments to the AGO website and encourages members to vote to promote ASLA’s comments as well as to submit comments of their own. A final report based on field hearings and comments submitted online will be released on November 15. 

  • Complete Streets legislation has bipartisan support! Rep. Steven LaTourette (OH) provided bipartisan backing for this important legislation, and became the 62nd cosponsor of HR 1443.

Public Relations and Communications

Publishing and Resource Development

  • Joblink postings are up to 38 as of last week—the highest number in over a year. Coordinator Carolyn Mitchell reports a significant increase in phone calls and emails regarding posting positions, as well as increased postings on other industry job boards, boding well for the economic recovery.


ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
ACE Mentor Kick-Off

ACE board of directors, mentors and new mentor candidates please come join us for the kick-off celebration of the new ACE mentoring year. "The Irish Writers Room" upstairs of Kell's downtown has been reserved for the event. There will be snacks and a hosted beer and wine bar. There will be a brief talk about the ACE program. This will serve as a great opportunity to meet each other and discuss some of the exciting plans for this next year's mentoring sessions. It will also be fun to catch up with everyone and maybe share a few more stories from past years. Please RSVP in advance and feel free to bring any colleagues that would be interested in joining ACE. See you then!

Date: Thursday, November 11
Time: 5:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Kell’s Irish Restaurant & Pub | 112 SW Second Avenue | Portland, OR 97204
Host: Brooke Coleman
Phone: 503.274.1843

ACE "You're Invited" and RSVP Link


Cities Alive - Green Roof & Wall Conference

November 30 – December 3, 2010

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) are co-hosting CitiesAlive: 8th Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference and Trade Show from Nov. 30 to Dec 3, 2010 at the Pan Pacific Hotel and Vancouver Convention Center. More than 50 expert speakers will share the latest design integration, economic, social and environmental research - including acoustical benefits, green wall thermal benefits, life cycle cost/benefit studies, and solar PV/green roof integration. CitiesAlive will recognize outstanding green roof and wall projects at the Awards Luncheon, as well as local design gurus Cornelia Oberlander and Theodore Osmundson with Lifetime Achievement awards. The tradeshow will feature the latest technologies and services, local and regional firms, and there are multiple tour opportunities. Check out new, leading edge courses on urban rooftop food production, integrative/holistic design, and integrative building and site water management.

See www.citiesalive.org for agenda and registration information.


IFLA World Congress 2011 - Call for Abstracts

The global gathering of professionals from the fields of landscape architecture and horticulture, landscape development, spatial planning, urban planning, construction, forestry and agricultural engineering will take place in Zurich in 2011.

“Scales of Nature – From Urban Landscapes to Alpine Gardens”
The 48th IFLA World Congress will be devoted to the fluctuating issues between artificial and grown nature and the sustainable development of the landscape for improved quality of life.

The IFLA World Congress is an international professional congress to be held in Zurich that is expected to be attended by more than 700 professionals and students from throughout the world to discuss current topics, exchange experiences and establish contacts. During the three days of the Congress, keynote lectures will take place in the morning and in depth sessions in the afternoon.

More info on the IFLA World Congress 2011 Zurich, Switzerland: www.ifla2011.com.



mORE INFORMATION
NewsWire Submittal Requirements

NewsWire is a publication of the Oregon Chapter ASLA.

NewsWire is published at the beginning of each month for annoucing information for the following month. All ads and information must be received by noon of the previous Friday for inclusion

Please send all submissions questions and comments to Jason King.

Keeping Yourself Current

Please help us keep our mailing list current. Send updates or corrections of your contact information to info@aslaoregon.org 


Contact Us

Executive Committee and other contact information is available at the Chapter website.

For mailing and other administrative inquiries about the chapter, contact:

ASLA Oregon Chapter
147 SE 102nd Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97216
phone: 503.227.6156
fax: 503.253.9172
info@aslaoregon.org 

October 29, 2010 Edit

in News

Landscape Leaders Roundtable

On May 11, 2010 twenty four leaders in landscape architecture gathered at the Elysian Hotel in Chicago for a moderated roundtable discussion sponsored by Landscape Forms and the Landscape Architecture Foundation. The purpose was to share ideas on how current economic realities are impacting landscape architecture practice, how firms are responding to the challenge, and how participants see the prospects for the profession. Guests came from fifteen states and all regions of the country, from small proprietor-led practices and large interdisciplinary firms.

Hosts for the event were Bill Main, President, Landscape Forms and Barbara Deutsch, Executive Director, Landscape Architecture Foundation. The roundtable was moderated by Edward Uhlir, the Director of Chicago’s Millennium Park, who oversaw construction and completion of the widely celebrated 24-acre park, coordinating the efforts of numerous design teams, and acting as liaison to municipal agencies and the philanthropic community.

Asked to provide one word to describe the state of the profession today participants offered:

“improving…stressful…challenging…hopeful…frustrating…sleep-deprived… optimistic…opportunistic…transitional…and…It’s the S word, but it’s not sustainable.”

Download the entire report

October 1, 2010 Edit

in News

ASLA Headlines Congressional Hearing on the Benefits of Green Infrastructure

Take Action!
Ask Congress to Support The Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act
David Yocca, FASLA, represented the American Society of Landscape Architects in testifying before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Water and the Environment Subcommittee for a hearing entitled “Impact of Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development on the Nation’s Water Quality, Economy, and Communities.” The hearing featured Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, Hon. ASLA, Mr. Yocca, Mayor Adam Ortiz of Edmonston, Maryland, Tim Richards for the National Association for Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies, Bruce Boncke representing the National Association of Home Builders, Drew Becher, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and Howard Neukrug, Deputy Commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department. Yocca’s testimony focused on his landscape architecture projects and the multiple benefits that communities reap from utilizing green infrastructure approaches , “Integrated green infrastructure strategies combine leading-edge, living technology with local design, craft, and skill to restore our neighborhoods and cities, to be healthier, more beautiful, and ultimately more economically and ecologically sustainable over time.” Now it’s your turn to tell your stories from your communities. Click on TAKE ACTION above, and take 30 seconds to ask your legislators to support HR 4202/S 3561, which would provide localities the tools they need to implement a green infrastructure agenda.  If you have time please take a moment to let your member of Congress know how green infrastructure has provided multiple benefits in your community. Thank you, Roxanne Blackwell Federal Government Affairs Manager