ASLA UTAH FEBRUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

**Playspace Design Lunch & Learn Wednesday March 26th 12:00pm ASLA UT Office 280 S 400 W SLC** **CLICK HERE** **to Register**

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

Leadership Express - GEARING UP FOR SOMETHING BIG!

Lars Erickson, ASLA Utah President

Hello, ASLA UT!

The Executive Committee and I are busy preparing for activities, lunch & learns over the next several months. April is World Landscape Architecture Month in which we join together to advocate for the profession by highlighting the impact of landscape architecture on communities and the environment and inspire the next generation of landscape architects.

Please mark your calendars for our Annual Conference on Landscape Architecture April 10 th – 12th in St. George. The conference theme is “Landscape in the Desert” and 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 fast!

More info and to register CLICK HERE: 2025 ASLA Utah Conference on Landscape Architecture

I hope to see you at our activities and the conference. I look forward to it!

– Lars Erickson

Image credit: ASLA 2023 Professional General Design Honor Award. Hood Bike Park, Charlestown,MA. Offshoots, Inc. Peter Vanderwarker

Here are some highlights, information and reminders from National ASLA.

ASLA National used the iAdvocate Network to send this letter to all members of the new 119th Congress highlighting the work of landscape architects and encouraging legislators to collaborate with ASLA and its members as they begin consideration of infrastructure, parks and recreation, agriculture, small business, tax issues, and more. If you’re unfamiliar with iAdvocate you can learn more and sign up here: ASLA iAdvocate
In January, the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL) released its latest report, Boards That Work. This report provides clear principles for policymakers considering changes to licensing board structure and operations.
Final PROWAG Rule: In December, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a final rule adopting the Access Board’s Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) as part of its standards for new construction and alterations of transit stops in the public right-of-way. Landscape architects should incorporate PROWAG requirements in upcoming transportation projects.
New Bike Design Guide: The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) recently released its new Urban Bikeway Design Guide. Endorsed by the U.S. Department of Transportation and recognized in federal law, the Urban Bikeway Design Guide is used by hundreds of municipalities, state DOTs, and regional agencies across the U.S. and Canada to design streets that are safe and accessible for people biking.
ASLA continues to be an active member of several coalitions. Recently, ASLA has joined with members of the Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK) in sending a letter to Congress thanking them for supporting the EXPLORE Act and urging them to work with us on implementing key provisions of the measure. ASLA has also joined with members of the Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition in sending Congress recommendations on increased investments for tree plants and canopy coverage. ASLA has joined the new Community Impact Coalition, a group of not-for-profit organizations working together on certain tax provisions to address in the upcoming extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Bill.
The Call for Presentations for the ASLA 2025 Conference on Landscape Architecture in Washington, D.C. closed on February 18. The Annual Conference Education Advisory Committee began its review of all submissions on February 21.
The Free PDH of the Month for February and Black History Month is Design Activism: Uplifting Black and Immigrant Leadership in American Public Space Design - 1.0 PDH (LA CES/HSW). This panel explores how community design processes can be employed to celebrate the outstanding historical and cultural contribution of Black and immigrant communities.
The Awards & Honors Committee hosted a webinar titled Unlock the Secrets to Winning an ASLA Award. This webinar featured a panel of seasoned ASLA Professional Awards jury members who have reviewed some of the industry’s most prestigious submissions.

2025 ASLA Utah Chapter Annual Conference on Landscape Architecture & Vendor Expo

“LANDSCAPE IN THE DESERT”

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Thursday, April 10th: Evening Social & Site Visit: Red Hills Desert Garden

Friday, April 11th: Conference & Vendor Expo

Conference Topics:

Utah Natives Plants
Opening Doors & Creating Opportunity
A Strong Towns Approach to Desert Livability
Water Conservation
And much more!

Saturday, April 12th: Morning Site Visits to unique sites in St George

We are excited to head South to the warmth of St George, Utah for this year's Conference & Vendor Expo so register now and don’t miss out on the Early Bird Registration Discount! (ends May 1st)

Hope to see you in St George this year!

Paul Stead, ASLA Utah Past President

New members will be automatically entered into a drawing for a chance to win

First drawing: Held at the ASLA Conference in St. George on April 11, 2025.

First entry period: October 11, 2024 – April 11, 2025.

Second Drawing: Held at the ASLA Awards Ceremony in October 2025.

Second entry period: April 12, 2025 – October 12, 2025.

Additional Details:

You do not need to be present to win.
Winners will be selected at random by the ASLA Utah President via a traditional name draw.
To enter, visit ASLA Join Page or scan the QR code above.

2025 Winter Social - Energizing Gratitude for Our Sponsors

Ladd Schiess, ASLA Utah Secretary

Energy is the theme on Capitol Hill this year, and our ASLA Sponsors and Friends have brought that same energy to our chapter over the past year. Your Utah ASLA Executive Committee is working hard to keep that momentum going as we continue to promote and protect Landscape Architecture in Utah.

With the 2025 Legislative Session in full swing, this year’s Winter Social not only featured an evening of delicious Mediterranean cuisine, but also included an insightful update from our ASLA Lobbyist, Dave Kallas. After our President Lars Erickson reminded us of the value that a bunch of volunteers are giving to the profession (which is getting national notice), Dave provided valuable insights into several bills affecting licensing, landscape design and construction, and water use. He also shared behind-the-scenes details on some of this year's most significant and controversial bills, as well as follow-up from last year’s state election results. This is one of the most critical times in our professional careers to stay informed and ensure that we are known and understood in state government.

Fortunately, thanks to the support of our sponsors, we are able to benefit from the lobbying efforts and expertise of Dave Kallas to support our profession. More than just business associates, our sponsors are our friends, and they make much of what we do as a chapter possible. Their support enables us to host outstanding conferences and provides the foundation for bringing on our lobbyist. We cannot thank them enough! Please consider them first when you need a vendor or consultant.

A heartfelt thank you to our vendors, and to everyone for your continued support. I can’t wait to see you at our next chapter event – and I’m especially excited for the upcoming Conference in April down in St. George. It’s going to be an event you won’t want to miss!

**Jurors Needed for Awards Committee**

ASLA Utah is seeking jurors for its 2025 awards program! This year, we're partnering with the Nevada Chapter for a jury swap. Utah jurors will evaluate project submissions from Nevada, playing a key role in selecting the award winners. This is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the best landscape architecture work coming out of Nevada. Interested in being a juror? Contact Critter Coughlin, ASLA Utah Membership Recognition, at critter@langvardtdesigngroup.com.

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

Platinum Sponsors
BioGrass | Great Western Recreation | Rain Bird

Corporate Partners
Denton House | FenceTrac | G Brown Design | Io LandArch | SEGroup

ASLA UTAH FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER