December 2019 Newsletter
ASLA UTAH DECEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER
UPCOMING EVENTS
2020 Winter Social: Thursday, January 23rd , 2020 7:00 pm ASLA Offices: Register Here
Be on the lookout for more information to come!
Leadership Express
Lauren Smith, Chapter President
Winter Social // January 2019
Happy Holidays!
As we approach the end of the year, and decade, I wanted to take a moment to recognize all the great things ASLA Utah has been able to accomplish in 2019.
ASLA Utah started off the year with our annual Winter Social hosted in January in our new offices shared with AIA Utah. This even brought together members to thank our sponsors for supporting our chapter and our members throughout the year. We spent a great evening together networking, having dinner and getting comfortable in our new offices.
In February, David Garce presented to the ASLA Executive Committee on his involvement in the ASLA Diversity Summit. David Garce participated in the ASLA Diversity Summit in 2018 and 2019. This year was ASLA's sixth Diversity Summit and focused on developing a deeper understanding of how landscape architecture can better represent the communities and people it serves.
USU Students traveled down to the ALSA Utah offices in March to meet with a variety of professionals for our annual portfolio review event. ASLA Utah prides itself on it's collaboration with USU's LAEP Student Chapter. Our professional members have been an amazing resource to the students and we continue to strive to create an open connection between professionals and students within out state.
#WLAM2019 // April 2019
For World Landscape Architecture Month (#WLAM19), April, ASLA Utah hosted a walking tour event featuring the work completed along the S-Line in South Salt Lake City. A group of members came together and walked the S-Line from central station all the way to Sugarhouse while having a variety of project team members talk about the process and collaboration that happened in order to get this project complete.
In May, ASLA Utah was able to have three Executive committee members attend ASLA Advocacy Day and the Spring Chapter Presidency Council meetings. Tina Gillman, JoEllen Grandy and myself we able to meet with four of our state legislators or their staff in their offices in DC. We focused on thanking those who have already supported or urged them to support three specific bills: Restore our Parks Act, Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act, and Transportation Alternatives Enhancement Act.
ASLA National Headquarter // May 2019
Evermore Park Walking Tour // May 2019
Also in May, Past President, Bryce Ward put on a fantastic Annual Conference, Get Outside, in Pleasant Grove. Those who attended were able to meet and hear from National President Elect, Wendy Miller, John Scott, Jake Powell, Josh Steadman, and Rachel Buck. We even had a great meditation exercise with Thomas McConkie! Those who were brave enough to get out in the rain were able to Get Outside and walk over to see DoTerra's grounds as well as the unique Evermore Park.
Over the summer, ASLA National put out a call for Committee Volunteers. ASLA Utah has had a number of members apply and be selected for national committees. We are proud to have representation at the national level from our chapter members! We want to thank everyone who has volunteered at the local, and national level. Notably, Danyel Mezzanatto and Kali Clark, both students at USU, were selected to hold positions on two separate committees.
Our Emerging Professionals Chair, Kyle Funk, kicked of the Lessons Learned Lunch fall series in August. Kyle brought in four seasoned professionals with a variety of backgrounds to speak directly to our emerging professionals, in a smaller forum, to encourage a more lively and personal discussion on how professionals have been able to grow their career.
The National Advocacy Summit was hosted by ASL Utah in September in Salt Lake City. This summit brought Advocacy Chairs from chapters all around the country to discuss advocacy efforts. The Summit consisted of panel discussions, break-out sessions, presentations and a walking tour of the S-Line. Congressmen Ben McAdams attended the walking tour and spoke to the 50-person group, as well as Fox News, about the history of the S-Line and his impressions of the project. ASLA Utah is looking forward to making a walking tour an annual event, get in touch with Ali Lewis, our Advocacy VP, if you're interested in getting involved!
But that's not all for September! Nate Jaramillio teamed up with Hailey Wall to pull together Park(ing) Day (click the link for a summary)! ASLA Utah occupied 8 parking stalls on 100 South with 3 parklets, 3 food trucks, and a lot of seating! Even with the rain, there was a great turn out, including an interview of President, Colin Olson by the local news.
In October, Colin Olson announced the 2020 Annual Conference theme as adapt and gave a teaser to our members that the conference will be hosted in The Gateway and focus on how people and professionals must adapt throughout our lives and careers. Also, a fall outing was hosted by Victor Stanely in Zion National Park.
The Conference on Landscape Architecture was hosted in San Diego, CA in November. ASLA Utah was able to send three Executive Committee members to the fall Chapter Presidency Council meetings where we participated in break-out sessions, workshops, presentations, and panel discussion to gain insight on the direction of ASLA National and give us the tools to better lead our chapter.
December, generally a pretty quite month for ASLA Utah, but this year we were able to launch our brand new website. This website is modeled off the template for ASLA National and is a great tool for our chapter. We're looking forward to all the opportunities this will open up to allow up to offer you more content and resources on a regular basis!
Wow, it's been quite a year! Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all our members, sponsors, and volunteers. ASLA Utah is a team effort and we couldn't do what we do without you.
Cheers to another great year in 2020!
Lauren Smith
REGISTER BY JANUARY 31st FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS. CLICK HERE
We've chosen The Gateway as the venue for the conference. Most of you are probably aware of the history of the Gateway. In the not so distant past, it was the premiere commercial space in Salt Lake City. A few years passed, circumstances changed, and The Gateway appeared to be doomed. With some fresh investment and a creative vision, new life was breathed into The Gateway. It emerged from the ground and crawled right out of the graveyard! The ADAPT theme for the 2020 ASLA Utah Conference on Landscape Architecture is very fitting for this venue and for our role as landscape architects.
Get to know your Executive Committee Members
UASLA: Why did you choose Landscape Architecture as your profession?
SETH: I love to create things. I am inspired by art that connects us to the earth like Andy Goldworthy, and Robert Smithson. I believe landscape architects have the greatest potential to reach that goal, sometimes using creativity for clients, sometimes for myself-art for art-sake. I have really grown to appreciate the power of our profession to help us live more in-sync with our environment and do the least harm.
DON: I enjoyed drawing and taking drafting classes as a kid and in high school, but also my upbringing with my Dad being a forester and being with him in the woods in Western Oregon. The combination of working with the built environment and nature together was very appealing.
UASLA: Tell us about your educational background and any past professional experience.
SETH: BS in Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning from USU in 2009. Certified Green Roof Professional (Green Roofs for Healthy Cities) 12 years experience as a Design-Build Landscape Contractor before opening my own practice in Landscape Architecture. Won three Utah ASLA design awards; One in Planning and two for Residential Design.
DON: After high school, I attended Ricks College (Rexburg, ID) with an associates degree in Landscape Horticulture. I then transferred to Utah State University with my Bachelor in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning in 1997. My first job out of school was in Las Vegas and have been back to Utah since 1998.
UASLA: How do you presently practice Landscape Architecture?
SETH: Self Employed Landscape Architect focusing on Native Residential Gardens in the Wasatch Integrating Sculpture into designs.
DON: I work for Langvardt Design Group, a small private LA office here in SLC.
UASLA: What project have you been involved in that you take great accomplishment in and why?
SETH:Pro Bono Project for Seven Canyons Trust Planning for the Daylighting of Emigration Creek as it passes under Herman Franks Park and the intersection at 13th south and 7th East in SLC. This projects long term vision could help turn the narrative from Auto-centric to Nature centric planning & Design in our own backyard.
DON: Cory B. Wride Memorial Park, in Eagle Mountain, UT. To go from start to finish for the largest park project in my career, it was very satisfying to work on such a great project and create a unique destination for people of all abilities and ages to enjoy.
UASLA: What is a project outside your design influence that impacted you greatly and inspires you?
SETH:Lawrence Halpren's Freeway Park.
DON: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. The collection of paintings, sculpture and tapestries, built as a 15th-century Venetian palace.
UASLA: What are your top three goals that you would like to accomplish while serving on the ExCom Board?
SETH:1. Raise the bar for ASLA's professional acclaim through Ethics education. 2. Program for increased Senior LA & Principal level participation. 3. Continue the work of connecting us to other professional organizations.
DON: 1. Using my past experience to assist with the Annual Meeting. 2. Find ways to encourage members to get involved. 3. Help with sponsorships
ADVOCACY UPDATE & OPPORTUNITY
VP of Advocacy Ali Lewis met with representatives from AIA, AGC and ACEC for lunch last week to discuss the upcoming legislative session that is to commence January 27th. The purpose of the discussion was to identify any bills that might concern landscape architects, architects, contractors and engineers.
At this juncture, many bills aren’t published online, so we’re not yet aware of any legislation to track. As these become available, we’ll follow up with our members so you are made aware of relevant legislation. Last year, many of you emailed us personally to identify bills you found concerning and we encourage you to do the same this year. The more eyes we have tracking this session the better!
If you would like to be personally involved on the hill, during the entire General Session (from January 27-March 12),
AIA’s Government Affairs Group will meet every Wednesday at 8AM in the East Senate Cafeteria to touch base.
WINTER SOCIAL 2020
To All ASLA Utah Sponsors and Members,
ASLA Utah Chapter would like to invite you and your guest to the Annual Winter Social
Thursday, January 23rd at 7:00pm
Chapter Headquarters, Ford Building, 280 S 400 W #150, Salt Lake City
Space is limited so register soon: Click Here
Please join us for a lovely evening celebrating you as our Sponsors, landscape architecture and the ASLA Utah Chapter
UNLA GREEN EXPO 2020
UNLA is generously comping ASLA Utah Chapter a booth at the Green Expo in 2020 as well as allowing current ASLA Members discounted member pricing to attend the Expo! Use the links below to register and stop by the ASLA Utah Chapter booth while you are there!
2020 Utah Green Industry Conference
Monday, 1/27/20 - Wednesday, 1/29/20
Utah Green Conference Schedule:
Online registration: Registration
Utah Green Conference:
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