December 2019 Newsletter

ASLA UTAH DECEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Leadership Express

Lauren Smith, Chapter President

Winter Social // January 2019

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

#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

ASLA National Headquarter // May 2019

Evermore Park Walking Tour // 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

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!REGISTER BY JANUARY 31st FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS. CLICK HEREWe'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 prem…

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

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

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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!

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Newsletter Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for their continued support!

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Invitation to submit to the 2020 EDRA Great Places Awards

Attention ASLA Utah Members!

ALSA Utah has been encouraged to participate in the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) 2020 Great Places Awards. These awards run annually in collaboration with Project for Public Spaces (PPS). This year will be the 22nd edition of this program.

These awards recognize national and international excellence in place&people-centered design, planning, and research. Award winners are celebrated and announced at the EDRA51 Conference in Tempe, AZ (April 4-7, 2020). Attendance to the awards ceremony is not mandatory, though encouraged. Winning projects are displayed during the conference with large scale posters/banners and through the EDRA website and social media.

There are four award categories: Place Design, Place Planning, Place Research, and Book Award.

I hope you will consider distributing this information. Last years' conference in NY was a great success and 800 attendees from 35 countries visited the conference. This year's EDRA conference will be held at the ASU Campus in Tempe.

We will be announcing 2020 Great Places Awards Jurors soon. All information required for submission is available at: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.edra.org/resource/resmgr/docs/2020_great_places/2020_brochure_10_27_2019.pdf

Here is a link to past winners in the four award categories: https://www.edra.org/page/GreatPlacesRecipient

See below an excerpt from the https://www.edra.org/page/greatplaces website for the focus of the Awards: https://www.edra.org/page/greatplaces

The Great Places Awards are unique among programs that honor professional and scholarly excellence in environmental design. They seek to recognize work that combines expertise in design, research, and practice, and contributes to the creation of dynamic, humane places that engage our attention and imagination.

Award-winning projects reflect an interdisciplinary approach that is enduring, human-centered, sustainable, and concerned with the experiential relationship between people and their environment (built and natural) over time.

We invite participation from a range of design and research disciplines — particularly projects whose significance extends beyond any one profession or field. All submissions should show how research and/or public participation is linked to--or part of--an environmental design practice, and vice versa. Submissions should also demonstrate how an understanding of the experience of place may be used to generate insightful design.

EDRA welcomes submissions from the full breadth of environmental design and related research fields, including architecture, landscape architecture, planning, urban design, interior design, lighting design, graphic design, place-based public art, environmental psychology, sociology, anthropology, geography, and the physical sciences.







November 2019 Newsletter

ASLA UTAH NOVEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

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SAVE THE DATE!

ASLA Utah Conference on Landscape Architecture
Friday, May 15th, 2020
Gateway Mall, Salt Lake City

Be on the lookout for more information to come!

2020 Winter Social
Thursday, January 23rd , 2020 7:00 pm
ASLA Offices

Leadership Express

Lauren Smith, Chapter President

Greetings!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all of you are able to take a break and spend sometime with your family and friends during this holiday season. I was lucky enough to visit my family and am writing this message from my home town in Indiana.

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Colin Olson, Tina Gillman, Jenny Sonntag and I all traveled to San Diego a few weeks ago for the Fall Chapter Presidency Council Meetings. This fall we we covered a lot of topics; including membership, succession planning, ASLA’s frameworks project, climate change, environmental justice, and the state of the organization. ASLA is launching a Membership Campaign, to focus on growing our membership. Part of that campaign is to reach out to our current members, and landscape architects who are not members, to see what we could be doing as an organization for you. This will be a popular topic this year and you’ll continue to hear about it.

Also, we will be launching our new website December 1st! We are hoping the transition is as smooth as possible. If you come upon an issue please let me know and we will get them addressed as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience!

Thank you to all of you for allowing me to serve as Chapter President, I’m looking forward to leading our chapter this year. The past year I’ve learned a lot and gotten up to speed on how I can best serve our chapter. If there’s something ASLA can do to better serve you, please let someone on the Executive Committee know. Looking forward to getting to know all of you better this year, please feel to reach out for any reason.

Cheers!
Lauren

Advocacy Grants Awarded to ASLA Utah

Ali Lewis, VP of Advocacy

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We are pleased announce:
ASLA National awarded our Utah chapter a 2020 Licensure and State Advocacy Grant in the sum of $700 to host a breakfast with state lawmakers and walking tour!

The breakfast is to be held in conjunction with the 2020 Utah General Session that begins January 27th. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet our lawmakers to discuss bills and general legislation that has a bearing on the field of landscape architecture. Additionally, this breakfast is a means to culminate relationships with our state and federal representatives and articulate the importance of landscape architecture for the health, safety and welfare of their citizens. The walking tour is at a yet-to-be-determined place and time so, we will keep you updated as that develops.

Because both events take a considerable amount of time and effort to coordinate, we are creating an Advocacy Committee to support VP of Advocacy Ali Lewis and the rest of the Expectative Committee. If this is something you would like to be involved in, please reach out to ali.lewis@ibigroup.com. If you choose to join the Advocacy Committee, you will be asked to meet on Tuesday, December 3rd, at the ASLA office in Salt Lake at which time we’ll create a plan for the Advocacy Breakfast and brainstorm ideas for where and when to host the walking tour. This is a great opportunity for anyone who’s been interested in getting involved with ASLA and/or would like to learn more about the realm of advocacy and how it relates to our profession.

Trustee Report

Tina Gillman, Trustee

The ASLA Board of Trustees met in San Diego for two days this past month. Here are the highlights I have to share with you:

  1. Nancy Somerville and ASLA have parted ways and a search committee has been formed to find a new Executive Vice President (EVP). A quick update on ASLA governance: Chapter members elect trustees and the national president. The trustees elect national Vice Presidents. The national president and vice presidents form the Executive Committee and are in charge of overseeing one employee: The Executive Vice President. The Executive Committee decided it was time to find a new EVP. They can not legally discuss the reasons for this and emphasized this point to the trustees. As a trustee, I have worked with many of the Executive Committee members over the past few years and trust their choices. Many exciting projects are underway and ASLA staff members are enthusiastic about the future.

  2. Licensure defense continues to be a concern. Licensure is a state level issue and while national has fantastic staff, they need our help. Please see an email about licensure this past week from ASLA for more specific information. Our chapter was fortunate to host the ASLA Advocacy Summit this past September where Ali Lewis and I learned fantastic strategies for building relationships with legislators. Please see Ali’s recent email requesting Advocacy committee members as we prepare for the upcoming legislative season. 

  3. A thank you to ASLA Utah Chapter member Josh Sundloff for presenting at the Advocacy Summit.  In 2017, Josh used his knowledge as a landscape architect and attorney to revise the Landscape Architecture Handbook. A PDF of the handbook can be found here: https://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/CMS/Government_Affairs/LA_Licensure_Handbook.pdf

  4. Due to the continuing rising licensure threat concerns, the Board of Trustees approved a budget that suspends the Advocacy and Public Relations Summits in 2020 and instead uses that money to join the Association for Responsible Licensure. Their website has a wealth of information: http://www.responsiblelicensing.org/

The board of trustee meetings also included updates on the Frameworks Communication project, the beginnings of a new ASLA website, and lively discussions about a range of topics from budgets to communication. It is an honor to represent the chapter as a trustee.

USU ASLA Student Chapter Highlighted at National Conference

David Anderson, USU Liaison

It was a great experience to attend the national ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture in San Diego. At the Chapter President’s Council meeting, Professor David Evans, who serves as USU’s Student Chapter Advisor, gave a presentation about the success of USU student chapter, and their collaboration with the Utah Chapter.

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There was a great response to the presentation, which was followed by a number of questions and positive comments.  Highlights include:

The USU student chapter developed a handbook that serves as a working document, to remind future chapter officers of established policies and best practices, and to record fun and successful events. This handbook was presented at the national Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture conference in March 2019, and has been made available to serve as a model to LA departments around the country. ASLA will also be making it available on their website.

  • Dave noted that 100% of LAEP students who wish to participate in ASLA are provided state and national membership through the department’s unique differential tuition program. By providing student membership, the LAEP Department is fostering an association with ASLA that starts at the student level, and will likely continue as they transition to practice upon graduation.

  • The USU student chapter is well funded, which provides great opportunity for strong chapter activities – both for socialization and learning. The student chapter collaborates with the state chapter through mentoring events, portfolio reviews, invited speakers, etc.

  • The USU student chapter acquires funding through the Community Design Team initiative, led by Professor Evans. Interested ‘clients’ (usually a small rural community or a non-profit organization) solicit help from LAEP through the department website portal. From there, Professor Evans aligns the projects (based on study topics, skill levels, and scale) with department studio courses, graduate students, and volunteer teams. The client is provided a scope of services and an explanation of a cost-recovery fee. This fee covers cost of travel, document production, and food and lodging (if required). Clients are also made aware that a portion of the fee will assist in supporting the student ASLA chapter.

  • The early conceptual work created by LAEP students often provides the client with enough information and quality imagery to allow them to pursue funding opportunities and professional services. ASLA past president Colin Olson gave an example of this ‘catalytic effect’, noting that recent work by LAEP students in Pocatello, led city leaders to pursue an RFP for a city park.

The student chapter is well organized with enthusiastic officers. They each have distinct responsibilities and hold weekly meetings with Professor Evans. They establish continuity by following the leadership model of the state chapter Executive Committee. In addition to a president and various officers, a president-elect also serves.

It was obvious, after Professor Evans’ presentation, that the student chapter at USU is one of the most active and engaged student chapters in the country. Questions and comments were very complimentary, and many in attendance wanted to know more about the successful model of advising Professor Evans has established.

PS – and for the third year in a row, at least 15 LAEP students attended the national conference, AND placed in the top three schools in the tailgate school spirit competition.

GO AGGIES!

USU LAEP Students Attend the ASLA National Conference

Anthony Manzione - ASLA Student Chapter President

Attending the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture is a unique experience for the students at Utah State to;

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  • Get exposure to interesting real world projects and research outside of our own studios

  • Connect with professionals and other students

  • Attend a variety of education sessions

  • Explore a new city drastically different from Logan is always fun and enlightening - we all found ourselves observing things we learned from an education session to our surroundings

  • Be introduced to products and materials. The Expo was a definite highlight!

  • Use in built landscapes - something we don’t get nearly enough of at school

  • Bring the Aggie Spirit to the alumni tailgate and WON 10 TICKETS to next year's conference in Miami!!

Chandler Christensen: “The conference was eye opening to me. I never understood the vast range of projects and scopes we as landscape architects can work on. It made me excited for my future career.”

Josh Quigley: “It was incredible to get the chance to be surrounded by such a high concentration of experts in the field. Being able to have those important conversations and discuss meaningful topics with others at a deeper level of understanding was something that I had hardly experienced before.” 

The Conference on Landscape Architecture is a great opportunity for the Students at Utah State. It broadens our perspectives in ways we never would imagine. For the 13 of us that attended the conference we now have the responsibility to teach our fellow classmates about what we learned.

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Newsletter Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for their continued support!

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October 2019 Newsletter

ASLA UTAH OCTOBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

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SAVE THE DATE!

ASLA Utah Conference on Landscape Architecture
Friday, May 15th, 2020
Gateway Mall, Salt Lake City

Be on the lookout for more information to come!

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Lunch and Learn hosted by Lucky Dog
November 5, 2019
ASLA Utah Chapter Office, 280 S 400 W #150, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Lessons Learned Lunch with Shalae Larsen
November 12, 2019
ASLA Utah Chapter Office, 280 S 400 W #150, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Leadership Express

Colin Olson, Chapter President

Hello All!

I'd like to elaborate a bit on the theme for the 2020 ASLA Utah Conference on Landscape Architecture.

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. To go with the Halloween theme, many perceived it as a zombie mall. 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!

As people and professionals, we all must adapt at different times to the pressures thrust on us by outside forces, and position ourselves to thrive. The theme of the conference will be centered around this concept. I'm looking forward to developing the program and welcome any of your thoughts on what would be beneficial for you.

Thank you to all of you for allowing me to serve as Chapter President for the past year. I've learned a lot and been continually impressed with the rest of the executive committee as everyone gives their time and strives to contribute. I guess this is the last President's Letter I'll be writing. Lauren Smith takes the reins as Chapter President on November 1st. Lauren has already elevated the chapter through her role as President Elect, I'm confident that trend will continue as she takes over

Over and out,
Colin Olson

The ASLA Utah Memorial Scholarship

Geoff Ellis, Memorial Fund Chair

The Utah ASLA Memorial Fund began with a donation by the family of Utah landscape architect Happ Young, in his memory.  The fund, established before the Utah Chapter of ASLA was split from the Rocky Mountain Chapter in the early 1970’s, was intended to grow and eventually provide scholarships for students, although much of it was in fact given to the ASLA Building Fund for the purchase of the national ASLA headquarters in Washington, DC.

The fund was replenished in the 1980’s by a donation from Utah ASLA and Karsten Hansen, sometimes known as “The Father of Landscape Architecture in Utah.” After his death, the suggestion was made to name the fund after him, but in the end it was simply called the Memorial Fund, to honor the memory not just of Happ Young and Karsten Hansen, but of all the members of the Utah Chapter of ASLA who have passed away. The purpose of the fund was defined as providing visibility for the profession and benefits to the general community in Utah. The scholarship was established in 2012 for students in the LAEP Department at USU, with the first award granted in 2013.

An eligible student must be a junior or a 1st or 2nd-year graduate student and must be a student member of both the national ASLA organization and the LAEP Student Chapter of ASLA.  Recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement and their potential to provide positive visibility to the profession and benefits to the communities where they will live.  Each year, LAEP faculty select three finalists from among the eligible students and submit their names and bios for a final vote by the Memorial Fund Committee, which consists of the Memorial Fund Chair, the Utah ASLA Chapter President, Chapter Treasurer, and one other member of the Utah ASLA Executive Committee.

We’re pleased that we’ve been able to make a difference for LAEP students.  Patricia Beckert, the scholarship winner in 2018, wrote “Since I was younger, I have the dream of getting higher education, but I did not have opportunities after finishing high school.  In Peru, quality education is a privilege for the rich and powerful. Coming from another country, growing up in a single family household, and becoming the first generation in my family to go to college, I value educational opportunities because higher education is expensive, and this scholarship is helping me pay for part of my tuition this year.”

The recipients to date have been:
2013-2014 Kim Cloward Drown - MLA, '14
2014-2015 Sam Taylor - BLA '15
2015-2016 Hailey Wall - BLA '16 

Since 2012, the investments in the fund have done well, and we’ve been able to increase the scholarship amount from $1,000 to $1,500, making it one of the larger scholarships at LAEP. Even so, that amount does not go very far in today’s dollars, and we’d like to grow the fund to the point where it would provide a scholarship to cover an entire semester’s tuition. For this reason, the revamped Utah ASLA website will have an option to donate to the Memorial Fund, and we will be highlighting the fund and reminding everyone of donation opportunities at the Winter Social.

Thank You!

Survier Castillo, 2019 Scholarship Recipient

Dear Members of the LAEP Advancement Board,

I am humbled by your decision to award me the LAEP Advancement Board Scholarship. Thank you for the faith and trust you have in me to utilize this scholarship. I will continue to work hard to enhance my education and knowledge and I will not let this support be wasted.
I admire your thoughtfulness and care in helping complete strangers finance their education. I am so grateful that you have chosen to help me. With your contribution, I will be able to focus on my education more fully, without the lingering worries of financing. This is a great help to me and there is no way I will ever be able to show my full appreciation and gratitude to you.
I have always loved design, and when I found USU's remarkable landscape architecture program I felt like I had finally found a place that made sense to me. It combined my love for design with my affinity for horticulture and spatial planning, and it provides a real opportunity to make an impact on my environment.
Within the sphere of landscape architecture, I want to address issues of disability access and inclusion within poverty-stricken and low-income neighborhoods, particularly issues related to climate change and growth. As someone who immigrated from a third-world fishing village, I have seen firsthand how income can limit one's access to accommodations we often take for granted as basic and universal.
There is a lot of exciting work for landscape architects these days, I’m eager to be part of that work. Now and in the future, I hope to be doing work that takes steps to mitigate the impact that growth will cause to the most vulnerable populations. Thanks to your generosity, that goal is more achievable than ever before.
Thank you for the kindness and support you have given me.

Sincerely,
Survier Castillo

New Website Coming Soon!

Lauren Smith, President Elect

Be on the lookout for a brand new ASLA Utah Website. ASLA Utah’s Executive Committee has been working towards and updated website to better serve our chapter and our members. We’ve created this website from the template offered by ASLA National which will allow for a more consistent brand as well as more sophisticated functions.

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We are planning to launch the website December 1st! Be on the lookout for an e-mail blast when it officially launches. Please bear with us, as we anticipate there being some minor quirks that we will need to work through as we get it up and running. We would greatly appreciate you contacting me (Lauren Smith), McKenna (our Social Media Chair), and/or Jenny (our Executive Director) of anything you find on the website that isn’t working and/or anything you’d like to see added.

Thanks for your patience,. We hope you find the updated website as a valuable tool!

City of Pittsburg Modernizes Waste Collection Process While Combating Climate Change

Victor Stanley, Platinum Sponsor Article

When Pittsburgh’s city leaders sought a more efficient waste collection process, they turned to the Victor Stanley Relay™ smart waste management system. This data-driven solution fit hand-in-glove with their ambitious goals in the fight against climate change – to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gases, increase renewable energy use, and attempt to achieve Zero Waste. 

With no way of knowing when each of the city’s 2,000 litter receptacles needed collection, crews had to drive the full collection routes every day. 

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Inevitably, some would already be overflowing by the time they arrived, while others might still be almost empty. Relay data showed that, on any given day, only about 13% of the city’s containers would reach the 90%-full threshold representing critical need for collection.

With Relay, sensors embedded in litter receptacles measure how full they are. This dramatically reduces unnecessary collection runs, which saves fuel, time, and lowers emissions. Thanks to Relay’s data, 16 of Pittsburgh’s 25 public works employees previously assigned solely to trash collection have been reassigned to higher priority tasks. This more efficient system helps the city reduce its carbon footprint and re-engage with deferred public works responsibilities, while saving millions of dollars in the process. 

With the Relay system’s data, Pittsburgh is well positioned to lead the way on two fronts – the global, ongoing battle against climate change, and improving the seemingly simple task of collecting the trash.  


Read the full report online: http://www.victorstanley.com/pittcasestudy

November Lunch & Learn with Lucky Dog!

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Lucky Dog just got back from a trip to the BERLINER PLAYGROUND FACTORY in Berlin so they invite everyone to come share their experience along with surprise speakers from the ranks of the UT ASLA. It will be well worth your time.

Register here!

Emerging Professionals - FALL SERIES - Lessons Learned Lunches

Kyle Funk - Emerging Professionals Chair

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Stonecover is generously sponsoring the November Lessons Learned Lunch where emerging professionals can hear and ask questions from seasoned landscape professionals. Please join us on November 12th, 12:00 at the the ASLA Utah SLC Office to hear lessons learned from Shalae Larsen.

Shalae is a licensed Landscape Architect and co-founder and principal-in-charge of Io LandArch (established in 2006). 

Shalae has a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning from Utah State University, as well as a Masters Degree in Architecture and Historic Preservation Certificate from the University of Utah. 

As a community revitalization specialist, Shalae focuses on grassroots design efforts integrating historic preservation, outdoor recreation, and creative placemaking to create successful and authentic places. Shalae’s unique background and design perspective integrates a deep appreciation for indigenous landscapes and an understanding of the vernacular of the intermountain west.

Register here!

Thank you Victor Stanley for hosting a fun Fall Outing in Zions National Park Gorgeous Photo by ASLA member Don Leslie

Thank you Victor Stanley for hosting a fun Fall Outing in Zions National Park
Gorgeous Photo by ASLA member Don Leslie

Newsletter Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for their continued support!

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September 2019 Newsletter

ASLA UTAH September 2019 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

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SAVE THE DATE!

ASLA Utah Conference on Landscape Architecture
Friday, May 15th, 2020
Gateway Mall, Salt Lake City

Be on the lookout for more information to come!

Lessons Learned Lunch with Dave Harris
Tuesday October, 8, 2019
ASLA Utah Chapter Office, 280 S 400 W #150, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Lunch and Learn hosted by Chanshare Farms
October 23, 2019
ASLA Utah Chapter Office, 280 S 400 W #150, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Lessons Learned Lunch with Shalae Larsen
Tuesday October, 8, 2019
ASLA Utah Chapter Office, 280 S 400 W #150, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Leadership Express

Colin Olson, Chapter President

Happy Fall Everyone!

First off I would like to share a thank you note from Sean Michael, the USU LAEP Department Head.  It was written to Tina Gillman and Bryce Ward in response to a brief State of the Chapter presentation given by Lauren Smith and myself at the LAEP Advancement Board Meeting, which consists of alumni across the country was kicked off in our shared office space:
 

"Tina and Bryce,

I wanted to write in follow-up to LAEP’s autumn Advancement Board meeting yesterday (Sept 26th).  We were very fortunate and pleased to host the event in SLC for the first time is over a decade. 
 
The dynamic day of Board business that we experienced was made possible in no small part by the wonderful joint office spaces of AIA and ASLA.  The professional setting they provided us brought many unsolicited comments of praise from our group.  It’s my understanding that your leadership was instrumental in making this collaboration between the organizations possible. 
 
On behalf of LAEP and its Board members, we want you and the organizations to know how much we appreciate the collaborative example this venture has shown. And, to you and all others who made it possible, a special thanks for having the vision.  This is an example for all states to take note of."

 Sean E. Michael, Ph.D., FCELA
 Dept. Head / Professor 
 LAEP / Outdoor Product Design + Development


This is exactly the type of response we hoped to get.  It helps confirm that we are reaching our goal of fostering improved collaboration.  We are thrilled that the new AIA/ASLA office space made for a great meeting experience and we look forward to all that we can achieve in the future by working together, this is just the start. 

On another n0te, lately I've been thinking about those of you out there who are least likely to read this. I know we have members who feel that much of what we do doesn't benefit them. I've been one of those members in the past. We're trying really hard and are excited about all that we have been able to accomplish and improve in the past few years and the improvements are only going to continue.  Here are just a few of the things ASLA Utah is doing for our profession.

  • We advocate for the security of our licenses. See Ali Lewis's recap of the Advocacy Summit and Walking Tour with our lawmakers.

  • We strive to raise awareness of the profession and our goals. See Nate Jaramillo's PARK(ing) Day recap and Tina Gillman's report of an ASLA National initiative, both in this newsletter.

  • We create opportunity to our members to learn from each other, sponsors and other allied professionals. Our shared SLC office space with AIA is the only such arrangement in the country. It's available for ASLA Utah's use. Our presence and credibility with allied organizations and the SLC design community is on a positive course. If you haven't joined us for an event in our space then register and come to one of the many available in the coming months!

  • We provide value and opportunity to emerging professionals. See the Lessons Learned lunches organized by Kyle Funk

  • We put together interesting and educational Lunch and Learns paid for by dedicated sponsors who provide continuing education credits.

If you haven't gotten as much out of ASLA as you'd like in the past, give us another try. Come out and participate. We are working hard and we think we're on a good trajectory. We are always open to suggestions. If you see room for improvement, please let us know where and if you have any ideas for how.

It's been a really busy month and members of our committee/s have put a lot of effort into ASLA causes. Our efforts mean so much more when we see member participation and satisfaction. If you haven't had either of those in a while. Give me a call (801.333.3006) or write me an email (colin.olson@ibigroup.com). I'd love the opportunity to try and make ASLA more valuable for you.

Sincerely,
Colin Olson

News from National

Register for Upcoming BIM Webinar — October 1, 2019

The Digital Technology PPN will host a webinar on October 1 featuring three practitioners discussing how they were introduced to Building Information Modeling (BIM) and how they integrate BIM processes into daily practice. Andrew Sargeant, Associate ASLA, Lauren Schmidt, ASLA, and Eric Berg, ASLA, will share their experiences as practitioners influencing BIM methodologies in their firms, followed by Q&A. Register here.

ASLA worked with coalition partners and allied organizations to have the Reviving America’s Scenic Byways Act passed by Congress.

The measure was sent to the president for his signature. This law restores the National Scenic Byways Program, which ended in 2012. Specifically, the measure directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to request nominations for roads to be designated under this program. The Secretary would also be responsible for determining which roads receive the designation.

SAVE THE DATE 2010 ASLA UTAH ANNUAL CONFERENCE FRIDAY, MAY 15TH GATEWAY MALL, SALT LAKE CITY

SAVE THE DATE
2010 ASLA UTAH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
FRIDAY, MAY 15TH
GATEWAY MALL, SALT LAKE CITY

Frameworks Communication Project

Tina Gillman, Trustee

At one time or another, landscape architects find themselves explaining to others exactly what landscape architecture encompasses. Enter the Frameworks Communication Project. ASLA is providing project administration management for a joint project between ASLA, CLARB, LAF, CELA and LAAB called the Frameworks Communication Project. The goal of this project is to “Identify effective strategies for communicating the scope and value of the landscape architecture profession.” 

The three-phase project began in October 2018 with Phase 1: Descriptive Research to identify gaps in public understanding. The project is currently in Phase 2: Prescriptive Research which includes identifying and testing effective communication strategies. Phase 3: Application and Dissemination will include a Communications Toolkit scheduled for release in August 2020.

This project is one of many ways your membership is put to use. Thank you for your support of ASLA and the landscape architecture profession. I know I look forward to having a tool to explain the scope of landscape architecture.

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Park(ing) Day 2019 Success!

Nathan Jaramillo - VP of Visibility & Public Affairs

Park(ing) Day was as huge success and we had a great turn out for the event this year! We occupied 8 parking stalls on 100 South with 3 parklets, 3 food trucks and lots of seating. Channel 2 news came out to record the whole event and interviewed our President Colin Olson about the meaning behind Park(ing) Day.

Big thanks to all our sponsors including landscape forms, Tri-City Nursery, Progressive Plants and Biograss Sod! We also want to thank Lo|ci, the asla executive committee and everyone else that came to support the day!

Next year, we want to expand on the event and try to occupy the rest of 100 South all the way to City Creek and wrap the corner going North on State Street. We'd also like to do a competition between the firms for the best designed parklet. So start thinking of Parklet ideas for next year and get your firm/company excited about entering the competition!

If you have questions about this years event or would like to get involved in next years please contact, Nate Jaramillo at nate@loftsixfour.com

2019 Advocacy Summit Recap

Ali Lewis, Vice President of Advocacy

The Advocacy Summit this year was hugely successful with VP of Advocacy attendees from across the country expressing both their gratitude to the ASLA Utah chapter for hosting and their admiration of Salt Lake City.

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The summit began with a meet and greet reception at Current Friday night followed by a full day and a half of panel discussions, break-out sessions, presentations, and one very successful walking tour of the S-Line.
As this was ASLA Utah’s first walking tour of this caliber, we didn’t quite know what to expect and are happy to report the event went off without a hitch.

The tour began with Congressman Ben McAdams speaking to the 50-person group and Fox News about the history of the project and his impressions of the S-Lines successes five years out. After the tour, ASLA Utah executive committee members Ali Lewis and Tina Gillman heard feedback from ASLA National and the summit’s attendees about what could be improved upon for the next Site Tour. These mainly focused on having more folks from ASLA in attendance to offer support and keep the tour on time and be sure all those in attendance feel personally cared for. That said, we may call on you, fine ASLA members, to join the next tour!

After a weekend of learning what advocacy endeavors ASLA National and other chapters have been working on over the past year, as an executive committee, we are excited to update our organizations strategic plan and implement some new ideas. Stay tuned!

Emerging Professionals - FALL SERIES - Lessons Learned Lunches

Kyle Funk - Emerging Professionals Chair

TORO is generously sponsoring the October Lessons Learned Lunch where emerging professionals can hear and ask questions from seasoned landscape professionals. Please join us on October 8th, 12:00 at the the ASLA Utah SLC Office to hear lessons learned from Dave Harris.

Dave has over 28 years of experience in Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Planning services. He has worked on projects throughout the desert southwest in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Minneapolis and Internationally.

Dave is a corporate expert in business development and leads interdisciplinary teams including, architects, planners, civil, structural, electrical and geotechnical engineers. He has managed and directed sustainable projects including LEED Platinum certified facilities and is experienced in developing sustainable, low impact developments for communities, parks, plaza’s, trails, town centers, civic spaces, educational campus, corporate campus, retail developments and resorts.

As a leader Dave inspires his staff, teams and those he works with to reach their full potential professionally and personally.

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Thank you to our sponsors for their continued support!

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