ASLA UTAH JANUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

**ASLA Utah Winter Social Friday, January 31st ASLA UT Office, 280 S 400 W, #150, SLC** **REGISTER HERE**

**ASLA Utah 2025 Annual Conference “Landscape in the Desert”. Dixie Convention Center, St. George, Utah April 10th to 12th, 2025** **Early Bird** **Registration:** **CLICK HERE**

**USU LAEP Portfolio Review Wednesday, February 16th, 6:00pm** Utah State University Common Studio, 2nd Floor Fine Arts Visual Bldg, Room V210

**Utah State University LAEP Speaker Series** CLICK HERE for more details

Leadership Express - 2025, IT’S GONNA BE A GREAT YEAR!

Lars Erickson, ASLA Utah President

Hello, ASLA UTAH!

As we start out 2025, I’m excited for the Chapter and all we’ve got going on, here’s a quick run down. Our lobbyist, Dave Kallas is actively pursuing our interests on the hill. He’s currently tracking the following bills:

HB114 Architects Licensing Act Amendments by Rep. Lee
HB160 Professional License Degree Amendments by Rep. Gricius
HB318 Residential Turf Modifications by Rep. Owens
HB328 Water Usage Amendments by Rep. Owens
SB92 Golf Course Amendments by Sen. McCay
SB124 Landscaping Procurement Amendments by Sen. Pitcher

April is World Landscape Architecture Month. Please mark your calendars for our Annual Conference on Landscape Architecture, April 10th – 12th in St. George. ASLA Utah Past President Paul Stead has been working hard to get a great line up for us. We may even get some Nevada Chapter visitors. Early bird pricing ends March 1st so register soon!

2025 ASLA Utah Conference on Landscape Architecture

ASLA National a new membership system. Be on the look out for a request to update your password. It’ll keep you connected to all the great content on ASLA.org. Additionally, there is exciting things happening with an upcoming SITES workshop coming in May. It’ll be a great opportunity to get plugged into that innovative rating system.

Our Winter Social is this week. It’s a chance to mingle with members and thank our Sponsors that do so much for the Chapter. I hope you can make it. If you can’t please reach out to the great vendors we have and tell them thank you for supporting ASLA Utah. Please take advantage of the lunch in learns and study groups that will be coming your way. Keep your eyes open and come on out and make the year great with ASLA Utah Chapter!

– Lars Erickson

Who are you and where are you from? My name is Mackenzie Yeager and I recently moved to Utah from my hometown of St. Louis Missouri. I did my education at Kansas State University and had a brief stint as an adjunct professor at Washington University in St. Louis. I've lived a few different places around the world but definitely identify as a Midwesterner.

Why are you interested in landscape architecture? To me, landscape architecture is like this unseen force that binds a city together. I find it interesting how designed spaces can blend with overlooked corners, creating a dynamic outdoor experience. And what's even more fascinating is how public spaces seem to develop their own distinct personalities, often diverging from the designer’s original intent. The way people instinctively and habitually interact with these places is so captivating. The first time I saw people interacting with my built work, I was totally hooked.

What is your favorite thing about LA studio? LA studios always have the best people to work with- I might be biased.

What is your favorite hobby? Outside of work I love rock climbing and nice long road trips - especially with my dog.

What do you find inspiring? Ilona Maher the 2024 US Olympic Bronze Medalist in Rugby - what a beast! Also, Nature.

**What LA project do you find inspiring?**
*City Garden by Nelson Byrd Woltz in St. Louis.* This project was my first exposure to high-end design and I got to know it as a successful park before I ever admired the material details and planting design. .

UNLA GREEN SHOW - RECAP

ASLA Utah Chapter exhibited at the Utah Nursery and Landscape Association Green Conference Expo earlier this month. As exhibitors at the conference expo, Chapter Members provided visitors with educational pamphlets, answered questions and explained benefits of membership in ASLA.

The Chapter also provided two $250 scholarships to students from Jordan Academy for Technology and Career. Student Scholarship winners, Traiton Eyre & Elizabth Urie were very appreciative as Bryce Ward, ASLA UT Treasurer, presented the scholarship to each of them.

At the booth, and conference, ASLA UT volunteers talked with lots of visitors, ranging from groups of high school students to professionals who were interested in ASLA membership, to landscape designers interested in pursuing a LAEP degree. It is so important to promote the education, participation, and importance of the LA profession. Being licensed as Landscape Architects brings extra credibility to design and construction work, and being a part of a national association that helps professionals in continuing their professional education and advocating for our profession.

Huge thank you to UNLA for providing ASLA Utah Chapter with a complimentary booth at the Expo!

Huge thank you to UNLA for providing ASLA Utah Chapter with a complimentary booth at the Expo!

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah 2025 Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support!

Platinum Sponsors
BioGrass | Great Western Recreation | Rain Bird

ASLA UTAH JANUARY NEWSLETTER