ASLA UTAH JUNE/JULY 2022 NEWSLETTER

May 31, 2022 by ASLA Utah

ASLA UTAH JUNE/JULY 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Early Bird Discount Ends July 31st Don’t miss out - REGISTER NOW!! ASLA Utah Annual Conference 2022
September 8th & 9th, Salt Lake City, Utah

Victor Stanley On-Demand LA CES™ Education Sessions: RACE & SPACE CONVERSATIONS, PART I & II, ACTIVATED + INCLUSIVE: DYNAMIC MIXED-USE ENVIRONMENTS, WATER MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE: INSECURITY, PED 101 – INTEGRATING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND COMFORT INTO EVERY STREETSCAPE
REGISTER HERE

Hunter Industries/FX Luminaire. Lunch & Learn Tuesday, August 23rd, Noon ASLA UT Offices 280 S 400 W, SLC REGISTER HERE

REMEMBER to VOTE! ASLA UT Executive Committee Elections

VOTE HERE

Omega II Fence Systems - Lunch & Learn Wednesday, August 7th, Noon ASLA UT Offices 280 S 400 W REGISTER HERE

ASLA National Conference on Landscape Architecture November 11-14, 2022 San Francisco, CA REGISTER HERE

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

Hello ASLA Utah!

I hope you are all staying busy and having an enjoyable summer. With the dog days of summer rapidly approaching, so too are some exciting ASLA events and activities that we are working on at the chapter level.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Voting: The ballot for this year’s election has been issued. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to cast your vote for the three nominees for President Elect, VP of Membership & Membership Services, and Secretary, or provide a write-in nominee. On the ballot this year are Paul Stead for President Elect, Tyler Smithson for VP of Membership & Membership Services, and Ladd Schiess for Secretary. A big thank you to these gentlemen for their willingness to join the executive committee! There are also numerous sub-committee positions open, so if you are interested in filling a position and becoming involved in the chapter, please reach out to anyone on the executive committee.

We Need Your Help: There are some upcoming committee opportunities to volunteer for within the ASLA Utah chapter and also a board position to fill at the state of Utah. It would be great to see more of our membership get involved in these opportunities. In coordination with ASLA, we are beginning to organize the following committees:

Climate Action Committee – During the spring Chapter President’s Committee (CPC) meeting, ASLA challenged each state chapter to create a committee focused on collaborative research, climate positive design, and education, and to support ASLA’s climate action plan. Our goal would be to first select a climate action leader and then create a support committee to begin building a climate action strategy and network, as well as participate in regional climate-focused events. The wheels are already in motion in our region, particularly in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. If you are passionate about the negative impacts of a changing climate and would like to participate in making a difference, please let me or Seth Bockholt know. We have had some good conversations with these other states’ chapter presidents and would like to see the Utah chapter become more engaged.
Strategic Plan – Shortly after the annual conference last year, ASLA unveiled its updated strategic plan for 2022-2024. In an effort to better align each chapter’s strategic plan with ASLA, we have been encouraged to create a strategic plan committee that will meet once or twice per year to review our chapter’s strategic plan, compare it to ASLA’s strategic plan, and make recommendations for updates and changes. There are still questions to be answered and logistics to be sorted out as this committee develops, but the first step is identifying Utah chapter members that are interested in participating. This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas on how the chapter serves its membership, on the issues that the chapter is focused on, how we advocate for the landscape architecture profession, and how we support the ASLA organization.
ASLA Virtual Advocacy Day – On September 29, 2002 ASLA will be holding a national Virtual Advocacy Day which includes an on-line meeting between congressional leadership within each state and members from each state’s ASLA chapter. We are looking for at least three members interested in joining this meeting for a discussion with our elected leaders and representatives on the value of landscape architects and the importance of professional licensure, among other things. There will be more information and details about this event coming soon, but if you feel like this is something you would like to participate in, please reach out to me or Thomas Eddingtion, VP of Advocacy.
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) – There is currently an opportunity to fill a vacant position on the Utah Landscape Architecture Board. This is a five-person board made up of four licensed landscape architects and one member of the general public. The current members include Ole Russell Sleipness (LA), Jay Bollwinkle (LA), Josh Sundloff (LA), and Corinna Harris (Public). David Garce (LA) recently resigned from his position as chairperson, which created the vacant position on the board. DOPL has reached out to ASLA Utah with a request to provide three nominees for their review to fill this position. If you, or another landscape architect that you know, would be interested in pursuing this opportunity, please let me know. If we don’t receive any willing nominees, the executive committee will select at least three landscape architects we feel would make a good candidate for the position and then notify each nominee and coordinate a submittal to DOPL, which reviews each of the nominees’ resumes and ultimately makes the final appointment for the governor’s approval. Due to potential conflicts of interest, current officers of professional associations are viewed by DOPL as inappropriate nominees for this position.

Calendar Updates - Here is a look forward to what is coming up on the ASLA Utah calendar:

National Site Tour Month – August 2022
ASLA Utah Annual Conference on Landscape Architecture – September 8-9, 2022
Park(ing) Day – September 2022
ASLA Virtual Advocacy Day – September 29, 2022
Awards Banquet – October 2022
ASLA CPC Meetings – November 9-10, 2022
ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture – November 11-14, 2022

Here a couple of updates from ASLA:

ASLA Conference in San Francisco – Designing A Better Future

There’s only one week left to register for the ASLA 2022 Conference at the early-bird rate. Register by July 27th to get the early-bird rate. Join 6,500 of your peers, learn about the 120 education sessions, 25 field sessions, 6 Deep dive sessions and 3 LARE prep workshops. Visit aslaconference.com and take advantage of the savings. REGISTER HERE

Are you planning to take the LARE and are attending the ASLA 2022 Conference on Landscape Architecture? Register for the LARE Prep workshops by July 27th to get a steeper discount. For sections 1, 2, and 3 prep courses, only $75. Section 4 is $115 before July 27th .

Have you seen these field sessions at the ASLA 2022 Conference on Landscape Architecture? Quantifying Climate Resilience in the Public Environment, Buzzing Through Pollinator Gardens, and Urban Wild in Transition: How a Landfill Became a Community Treasure. Explore all 25 field sessions. Space is limited for all field sessions.

Public Relations - NEW Park(ing) Day with Schools

This year, ASLA brings Park(ing) Day to PreK-12 schools, libraries, and community centers across the country! And this year Park(ing) Day isn't just one day, but a full weekend -- September 16-18, 2022. Let’s help students re-imagine streets one parking space at a time. Using a parking space in front of a school, library, or community center, landscape architects can partner with PreK-12 students to think outside the classroom. Help students discover how to improve our public spaces, strengthen social connections, and boost health and well-being.

ASLA is announcing this a little earlier this year so the chapters can start planning with PreK-12 schools. I look forward to catching up and seeing you all at an upcoming event, and hopefully before then talking more about the committee opportunities at ASLA Utah. Thank you for your continued support and all that you do for the chapter.

Adam Castor, ASLA Chapter President

ASLA Utah Annual Conference

Seth Bockholt, Past President

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Day 1: September 8th, Radisson Hotel, Salt Lake City

Kicking off the conference with a hearty breakfast at the general session where you will have time to catch up with colleagues. Keynote speaker Mark Johnson and other sessions will provide Continuing Education Credits to fulfill your requirement for licensure and the Vendor Expo will provide access to over 30 expert consultants, manufacturers, and suppliers.

Day 2: September 9th, Salt Lake City Public Library Main Branch

The educational sessions will begin with a quiz intended to diagnosis your design-business acumen; helping you choose which breakout sessions to focus on attending. Specific sessions will include classes on various aspects of the business of design including:

Sales - Sessions on the advantages of specialization, marketing and pricing models.
Administration - Sessions on contracts, healthy work environment & design business accounting.
Operations - Project management, teaming models and design process’.

Lunch will be provided and enjoyed on the courtyard.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to grow your business acumen. Whether you want to start your own firm someday, raise the bar with your current practice, or learn how to be a more valuable team player, this year’s ASLA UT conference will provide a lot of fun and growth opportunities for all!

ASLA UT ANNUAL CONFERENCE

KEYNOTE SPEAKER - MARK W. JOHNSON, FASLA

Mark Johnson graduated from Utah State in 1975, extending his internship at Maas and Grassli in Ogden into full employment. He later moved to Jones and Jones, where he was both an exhibit designer and leader of river and watershed planning efforts. Following a year of european travels, he graduated from Harvard University in Urban Design in 1982. He moved to Denver in 1983 and became co-founder of Civitas.

Civitas has grown into a nationally prominent firm in the design of public spaces and infill redevelopment. Founded with the mission "To Engage People with Nature in Cities", Civitas has gone on to projects across the US, Canada and in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The mission has become even more relevant and needed following the lessons of the Covid pandemic.

Mark is also a co-founder and current chair of the CEO Rountable, an informal group of 25 firm leaders who have been meeting bi-annualy for more than 25 years. The group exists to share the challenges to landscape architecture as a profession. Over the years the Roundtable has taken on topics including education, best practices, the identity and positioning of the profession, and, notably, business issues related to sustaining high impact national and global practices.

Mark is a frequent lecturer at universities, ASLA, ULI, the UK Landscape Institute, the Salus Network and the International Academy of Desgn and Health. He was previously Chair of the Editorial Committee of Landscape Architecture Magazine and later Harvard Design Magazine; Chair of the ASLA Committee on Policy; and current Treasurer of the Van Alen Institute, New York.

Member Spotlight

Tyler Smithson, Chair Awards and Membership Committee

Rob Hussey

ASLA Utah Member, Arch Nexus

What led you to landscape architecture?

UW-Madison had an LA program and no Arch program, which is a big part of the reason I tried it initially, but realized very quickly how interesting I found the subject matter to be. It sounds so obvious now, but the idea that outdoor spaces are designed specifically to evoke certain feelings and accommodate a particular experience or activity really resonated with me. Almost like learning another language, suddenly I was able to understand why some places that I had traveled to felt so impactful or special – the thought of being able to create those types of places was (and is) very exciting to me. I was also attracted to the combination of art and science, and that Landscape Architecture is can be an “outdoor activity” by nature.

· What is your favorite part of your practice?

So far, I have really enjoyed putting thought into and designing ways to combine beautiful design with ecological functions (particularly stormwater management/water conservation), I am excited to continue learning and to implement those ideas. I have learned over the last couple years how important it is for an LA to advocate for environmentally sensitive design on all projects.

· What is your favorite hobby?

Mountain biking in the summer, skiing in the winter. Skiing if I had to choose one.

· What do you find inspiring?

Landscape Architects are uniquely positioned to face the challenges we are facing as urban areas continue to grow and more stress is put on existing infrastructure (both green and gray) and the ecosystems we’re a part of. We will need to play an important role in future development to reverse existing issues and contribute to solutions.

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

Learn More About Our Sponsors

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR or Corporate Partner

ASLA UTAH APRIL 2022 NEWSLETTER

April 29, 2022 by ASLA Utah

ASLA UTAH APRIL 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

LA’s GIRLS NIGHT OUT - RAIN BIRD
Tuesday, May 17th, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Cactus & Tropicals, 12252 Draper Gate Drive, Draper Space limited to 25 - RSVP HERE

VICTOR STANLEY Live Virtual Learning Event 1.0 PDH (pending)
Thursday, May 12th, 12:00pm Instructor: Shawn T. Kelly, PLA, FASLA
REGISTER HERE

2022 ACEC Build Business Summit, May 12-13 Conference Center at Miller Campus 9750 S 300 W, Sandy ASLA UT gets member rate. More info: HERE

SAVE THE DATE!! ASLA Utah Annual Conference
September 8th & 9th
More Detail Coming Soon!

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS! ASLA UT Executive Committee Open Positions: Pres. Elect, Secretary, VP of Marketing/Visibility, VP of Membership. Contact: Jake Powell, jake.powell@usu.edu

CALL FOR ENTRIES ASLA Utah Professional Awards Entries due 5:00 pm Friday, June 24. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

Spring is such a wonderful time in Utah! It is so refreshing to finally see the early season bloomers that don’t mind a few inches of snow and an overnight freeze, the variety of flowering trees and shrubs showing off vibrant pinks, whites, reds, and yellows, and the array of greens set off by emerging conifer trees and grasses of all kinds.

As landscape architects we are so fortunate to have projects that allow us to get out of the office and into the field to see our design work either becoming a reality or coming back to life after a winter of dormancy; to be able to design with plant materials and create spaces that can have such a profound impact on our human senses, through all of the seasons; to be able to engage the environments that make Utah such a special place.

In recognition of Frederick Law Olmsted’s 200th birthday and the profession of landscape architecture, Red Butte Gardens hosted a celebration of Olmsted’s influence here in Utah. David Hart, AIA Fellow, provided a history of the Utah Capitol building dating back to the late 1700s and into the 1800s and the involvement of John Olmstead in the development of the master plan for the capitol building site. David’s presentation also highlighted the changes made to Olmsted’s master plan by German architect Richard Kletting and the efforts to implement many of Olmsted’s early ideas back into the renovation of the site and the construction of new buildings. Cynthia Bee provided a presentation on Frederick Law Olmsted’s notable projects, writings, and career moves, as well as his influence on her work designing residential landscapes. This event was well attended and it was a great opportunity to showcase the profession of landscape architecture.

The executive- and sub-committees have been busy this month with celebrations for World Landscape Architecture Month and Fredrick Law Olmsted’s 200th birthday, organizing our call for professional awards nominees, and the USU student awards. In addition, we have made a call for nominees for the upcoming 2022 ballot. There are several positions open on the executive committee and plenty of opportunities to become a part of a subcommittee. Please consider adding your name to the ballot, or nominating someone that you feel would make a good addition to the Utah chapter.

Here is a look at what is happening nationally at ASLA:

Chapter Presidents Committee (CPC)

The spring CPC meetings are being held virtually on April 28th and 29th. The agenda for the spring meetings includes a variety of topics such as government affairs, an update on ASLA national from CEO Torey Carter-Conneen, ASLA presidential candidate speeches and questions, climate action committee, membership update, chapter strategic planning and discussion workshop, membership dues, and membership discussion workshop. The CPC meetings are sure to be information packed and will be attended by Utah chapter leadership.

Government Affairs Take Action - Olmsted Proclamation Introduced in Congress

This year, April 26 marks the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted, the founder of American landscape architecture. To recognize this occasion and raise public awareness of the profession, ASLA urges you to ask your congressional representatives for their support on H. Res. 1013. This proclamation will not only recognize Olmsted for his many contributions, it will also help to educate the public on landscape architecture’s historical and present significance. It will serve as a reminder of the impact that design choices invariably have on community, opportunity, and equity. It only takes a moment to send a letter to your legislator. Take action today!

Honors and Awards Student Awards Call for Entries - Each year, the ASLA Student Awards honor the best in landscape architecture from around the globe. Submissions are welcome in General Design, Residential Design, Analysis and Planning, Urban Design, Communications, Research, Student Community Service Award, and the Student Collaboration Award. Award recipients receive featured coverage in Landscape Architecture Magazine, the magazine of ASLA, and in many other design and construction industry and general-interest media. Award recipients, and their clients will be honored at the awards presentation ceremony during the 2022 ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture in San Francisco.

· Entry Registration Fees Due: Friday, May 13 by 11:59 pm PST. · Submission Deadline: Friday, May 23 by 11:59 pm PST

Professional Practice ASLA Affinity Partner Webinar: Land Kit - May 3, 2022, 11:00pm - INFO HERE
Join ASLA for a presentation to learn how Land Kit can help you create workflows that will speed up your 3D Modeling, Design, and Visualization processes and develop more efficient and fluid workflows. Chris Landau will present the features and opportunities offered by the landscape plugin Land Kit. Speaker: Chris Landau, Affiliate ASLA, Principal, LANDAU Design+Technology

Thank you to all of our sponsors and members for your continued support of the ASLA Utah Chapter. We appreciate all that you do and look forward to seeing you all at upcoming events.

Adam Castor, ASLA Chapter President

WLAM Service Project

Aaron Johnson, VP of Visibility & Public Affairs

Hello! I hope everyone is having a great World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM)! As this month wraps up I wanted to give an update on how the Utah ASLA Chapter shared/celebrated the profession of landscape architecture.

On April 23rd (day after Earth Day) we joined the Taylorsville City and their Parks and Recreation Committee to plant over 350 native/water wise plants in a local Labrum Park in Taylorsville. The goal of the project was to identify areas where traditional turf grass could be replaced with water wise/native plant material while creating an identity for Taylorsville parks and educating residents on how to create water wise landscapes in their own yards. The project began as an idea back in 2019 and after a Covid-19 delay funding was secured by Taylorsville City and the Landscape Leadership Grant from the Jordan Valley Water Conservation District. Over the past year members of the community and Taylorsville Parks and Recreation Committee donated their time after work and on weekends to dig up grass, lay path edging, move dirt, pull weeds, install irrigation, and lay weed barrier fabric. All of which culminated in the April 23rd Loving Labrum Park activity where we battled the weather and uncertainty to create a beautiful place for residents to come and learn about our environment.

Live Earth sponsored the event by providing refreshments and donating their product to use on the plants! We were lucky enough to have the weather cooperate with us and only sprinkle on us for a few minutes (despite the predicted weather all week). Amazingly, we had close to 35-40 volunteers to come help! An amazing turn out considering the weather. This crew of amazing volunteers consisted of Taylorsville residents, Utah ASLA members, elected officials, youth council members, and anyone who drove by and wanted to help. Families of all ages helping, friends and neighbors, and new friends all joined together to sweat, work, laugh, and get muddy to help the community they loved. It was an amazing experience and one that I will not soon forget.

Thanks to all those who came and gave their support and volunteered their time! Huge thank you to Live Earth for sponsoring the event! As we go forward trying to make this world a better place, please remember, that change/impact begins with a simple idea. Anyone can make a difference.

USU LAEP Awards Banquet

Adam Castor, ASLA UT President

On Friday, April 15th the LAEP department at Utah State University held their annual awards banquet at the Logan Country Club where faculty and students were recognized for their outstanding work and achievements in landscape architecture. I had the opportunity to travel up to Logan to present the ASLA student awards, but I was invited to come up ahead of the banquet to visit the sophomore Analysis and Design studio and to sit in for the Friday speaker series featuring Billy Fleming. It was great to engage with the students and to see the team project that they were collaborating and working on, which would make an incredible improvement to the campus on the east side of the Fine Arts building.

The awards banquet was well attended by both faculty and students, as well as our Executive Director Jenny Sonntag and members from the Advancement Board. On behalf of the ASLA Utah chapter, I would like to congratulate all of the award nominees and winners. Here are the awards that were presented at the awards banquet:

Outstanding Sophomore: Mary Claire Jennings

Outstanding Junior: Corinne Bahr and Braya Robbins

Senior Faculty Medal: Hannah Hanks and Cooper Parson

Outstanding 1st Year Grad: Addison Martin

Outstanding 2nd Year Grad: Sam Johnson

Graduate Student Faculty Medal: Katelynn Hall and Lloyd Sutton

Outstanding Faculty Award: Todd Johnson

Olmsted Scholar Nominees: Nairobi Jimenez (undergraduate) and Lloyd Sutton (graduate)

Outstanding Students – every single LAEP student

ASLA Honor Award: Lloyd Sutton (graduate)

ASLA Merit Award: Derek Jenson (graduate)

ASLA Honor Award: Hallee Kinikin (undergraduate)

ASLA Honor Award: Nairobi Jimenez (undergraduate)

ASLA Honor Award: Nikki Holbrook (undergraduate)

*An Homage to Frederick Law Olmsted on the Occasion of his 200th Birthday*

**Michael Timmons, Professor Emeritus, USU LAEP**

It is a fool’s errand to attempt to convey the enormity of Olmsted in a brief essay, let alone in a course of landscape history. Sadly, those few lectures suffered by most landscape architects during their college education forms the extent of our awareness of his contributions. We know the story of Central Park; we can list a handful of his notable projects; we are aware of his letter to the NYC Board of Park Commissioners in 1858, offering his resignation as park designer and signed Messrs Olmsted and Vaux, Landscape Architects, which we take to be the first use of that title and the “birth of our profession”. We are also likely familiar with his poetic words outlining our profession first penned in Walks and Talks of an American Farmer in England, 1850, and later repeated in his letter to the Board of Commissioners of Central Park, May 20, 1858, upon his appointment as Architect-in-Chief:

“What artist so noble as he who, with far-reaching conception of beauty and designing power, sketches the outlines, writes the colors, and directs the shadows, of a picture so great that Nature shall be employed upon it for generations, before the work he has arranged for her shall realize his intentions!”

But to scratch beneath the surface is to gain an appreciation of a remarkable human being. My own discovery and fascination with Olmsted began with a move to Massachusetts to begin my professional career, and later, graduate studies. So often I would find myself wandering the paths of Boston’s Emerald Necklace, entranced by the vision and artistry of the man who had sculpted and planted this landscape a century earlier. My good fortune to enroll in a graduate school elective course at Harvard, 50 years ago was, I have to say, transformative. The course was entitled “Frederick Law Olmsted and the American Environmental Tradition”, and was taught by noted Olmsted scholar Albert Fein, who had published his book by the same title earlier that year.

Fein wove together the biographical threads of a career so unpredictable, it would defy the imagination of a most creative writer of fiction. From civil engineering apprentice, to clerk in a dry-goods store, to cabin boy on a steamer to China; from farmer to journalist to editor/co-owner of Putnam’s Monthly and co-founder of The Nation (the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the United States); from author of numerous works chronicling his travels through England and the antebellum southern slave states, including The Cotton Kingdom, to designer and Architect-in-Chief of Central Park; from Executive Secretary of the pre-cursor of the Red Cross (US Sanitary Commission) serving Union Forces in the Civil War, to authoring the report of the Yosemite Commission to the Governor of California, outlining the purpose and value of what would later become Yosemite National Park; and from designing some 100 parks, to establishing an office with his two sons that would create over 6,000 planned/designed landscapes across North America. But perhaps more profound than this tangible chronology was the set of environmental and social values he infused into the fledgling profession that grew from his efforts. Fein’s course jolted me into a realization that Olmsted was about far more than creating pastoral landscape scenes.

One wonders, with his practical take on politics and ability to succeed in the face of extreme political bickering, what role he may have played if he were present among us today? Would his skill and savvy have been able to navigate the great rift that so bitterly divides us?

Public Lands and Open Space

As I walk the trails system above my home in Logan with my dog, (not coincidentally named Olmsted), I gaze across the valley reflecting on past, present, and future. While I enjoy a network of public parks and open spaces that would have been unimaginable in 1822, I wonder at the same time if we are forward-focused enough.

I note in the recent Earth Day issue of the Salt Lake Tribune, that Utah lost an estimated 713 square miles of natural and agricultural open space between 1982 and 2017 to development and urban sprawl driven by record levels of population growth. The article observes that nationally, a new study tallies a total of 68,000 square miles of vanished open spaces over that same time … larger than the entire land mass of the State of Florida. Olmsted would be urging us to be proactive in encouraging smart growth and preserving space for our grandchildren. He would be saddened at the deterioration of our national parks due to underfunding, and outraged at the push by our representatives to privatize public lands.

Global Environment

The catastrophic threat to our global environment would have been beyond his wildest nightmare, but the sustainable practices he followed, had they been embraced, may have prevented us from reaching our present situation. Olmsted would ask how a humankind so advanced that we can explore the solar system and look down on planet earth 1,000 miles below from a satellite window, allow our home to succumb to a spiral of self destruction? Indeed, the man who envisioned converting a landfill in Manhattan into a verdant green-lung serving 1.7 million souls would be urging us to forgo short-term comforts, suck it up, and move forward posthaste to salvage our very future.

Social Reform

To Olmsted, creating parks and open space was not an end in and of itself, but a means of improving quality of life for urban dwellers, particularly the poor:

“It is one great purpose of the Park to supply to the hundreds of thousands of tired workers, who have no opportunity to spend their summers in the country, a specimen of God's handiwork that shall be to them, inexpensively, what a month or two in the White Mountains or the Adirondacks is, at great cost, to those in easier circumstances.”

Prior to Central Park, Olmsted made journeys through the South, writing detailed commentary on general industry and life style. His keen observations and vivid descriptions of inhumane and unjust treatment of enslaved blacks were printed in journals in the largely oblivious northern states, and eventually bound as a series of books raising awareness of the cruel practice of slavery. Promoting a clear message that black lives mattered, would he think about continuing racial inequality 120 years after his own death?

Medical Care

In 1862, driven by a sense of moral obligation, he took a leave from ongoing work with Central Park to offer his services as Secretary of the US Sanitary Commission. His accounts from the battlefield detailing the horrific conditions being suffered by severely wounded and ailing troops, cried out for the provision of humane treatment and advances in scientific medicine. More broadly, he urged a greater responsibility of government and society in general to address issues of public health. What would he have said about a health care system 160 years later which, despite our great wealth as a nation, still cannot provide universal health care for all?

War

Serving the Union forces during the Civil War, he spoke of atrocities of war that should be unthinkable in 2022. What would a man who questioned how Northern and Southern brothers could be killing each other in 1862 think to see Russian troops slaughtering Ukranian brothers, sisters, and children 160 years later?

“The possession of arbitrary power has always, the world over, tended irresistibly to destroy humane sensibility, magnanimity, and truth”

On this, the bicentennial of his birth, I would encourage every landscape architect to venture on a pilgrimage to more fully understand the importance and relevance of his Olmsted’s work to our contemporary world and practice. A personal visit to some of his masterworks is unequaled as a means of gaining an appreciation of his true genius. A few years ago, I was privileged to undertake a brief internship at the Olmsted Center for Historic Landscape Preservation at Fairsted, Olmsted’s home and office in Brookline, Massachusetts, and now the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site. Sitting at my desk in what was his bedroom, looking out the window at the Olmsted elm which had been planted around 1810 and around which he had designed his own domestic landscape, I could quite literally sense his spirit.

If you are unable to undertake a physical pilgrimage, I encourage reading either from his own works, or the excellent biography by Rybczynski, A Clearing in the Distance. For a jump start, I’d suggest a visit to the National Association for Olmsted Parks website at https://www.olmsted.org/the-olmsted-legacy/frederick-law-olmsted-sr and the website of the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site https://www.nps.gov/frla/index.htm.

Lastly, consider how we, as landscape architects of the 21st Century, can pay homage to the wisdom of our founder 200 years after his birth. Are we promoting the well being of all levels of society through our work? Are we truly embodying sustainability in everything we do … every choice of materials from plant pallet to hardscape embodying low carbon footprint? Are we raising our voices, imbued with the wisdom and moral compass of Olmsted, to fight for the protection of our public lands, and to create democratic green spaces in the face of ever-increasing urbanization/suburbanization of our world?

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support in 2021 and look forward to working with you in 2022!! Renew your Sponsorship Here

Learn More About Our Sponsors

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR or Corporate Partner

ASLA UTAH MARCH 2022 NEWSLETTER

March 30, 2022 by ASLA Utah

ASLA UTAH MARCH 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE!! ASLA Utah Annual Conference
September 8th & 9th
More Detail Coming Soon!

WORLD LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MONTH
Saturday, April 23rd, 9am-10:30am
T.John Labrum Memorial Park, 6020 S 1900 W. Taylorsville RSVP HERE

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS! ASLA UT Executive Committee Open Positions: Pres. Elect, Secretary, VP of Marketing/Visibility, VP of Membership. Contact: Jake Powell, jake.powell@usu.edu

CALL FOR ENTRIES ASLA Utah Professional Awards Entries due 5:00 pm Friday, June 24. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

Greetings ASLA Utah,

I hope that this finds you all doing well and enjoying some time outside in this nice spring weather that we have had. It’s hard to believe that we’re already at the end of March, but with World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM) and the celebration of Frederick Law Olmsted’s 200th birthday coming up in April, we’re looking forward to some opportunities to get outside again and celebrate landscape architecture.

Also, there is an opportunity to meet up at Red Butte Garden in April for a bicentennial celebration of Frederick Law Olmsted, America’s foremost landscape architect. Spend an evening learning about Olmsted’s consequential design imprint on America’s landscape, as well as his numerous contributions as an author and conservationist. This event will also feature lectures from AIA Fellow, David L. Hart, and Cynthia Bee, award-winning public speaker and sustainable landscape expert.

Student Awards. On Tuesday the annual student awards jury was held for Honor and Merit awards. I was fortunate to be asked to participate on this jury again, along with David Anderson and David Evans from the USU LAEP department, Hailey Wall from LOCI, and Kyle Funk from Loft 6/4. This year there were two nominees from the graduate program: Lloyd Sutton and Derek Johnson; and three senior nominees from the undergraduate program: Hallee Kinikin, Nairoby Jemenez, and Nikki Holbrook. All of the nominees were required to submit a two-minute video and their portfolio, which were all very well done. It is great to see the amazing quality of work that is coming out of the LAEP graduate and undergraduate programs, and I am looking forward to presenting the awards at the awards banquet on April 15th in Logan.

Now for some ASLA National News:

APRIL IS WORLD LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MONTH! For #WLAM2022, we explore: What is landscape architecture? What does landscape architecture mean to you? ASLA invites you to post your answers on your social media channels throughout the month of April. And since this year, on April 26th, we’ll celebrate Frederick Law Olmsted’s 200th birthday feel free to incorporate his legacy into your answer. By the end of April, ASLA National will identify the top five posts based on the number of Likes and Comments, but make sure you tag your post with the hashtag #WLAM2022 so it can be tracked. All details and images can be found at: https://www.asla.org/WLAM2022

NEW ASLA iAdvocate 101 – Amplifying Your Voice. Do you want to learn more about making your voice heard with legislators on Capitol Hill or in your State Legislature? Do you have questions about ASLA’s iAdvocate network or just want to learn more about our indispensable grassroots technology? If so, please join the ASLA Government Affairs team for a webinar – ASLA iAdvocate 101 – on Wednesday, April 6, at 1:00 pm MST. The government affairs team will discuss the why and what of our grassroots advocacy system, and who can join iAdvocate. The team will also address how chapters can use the iAdvocate for state grassroots campaigns. All ASLA members are invited to join. REGISTER HERE

Member Discounts. Did you know ASLA has a bunch of discounts available for members to help with their practice/office needs? Our affinity partnerships provide member discounts for things like practice insurance, home and auto insurance, medical insurance group rates for small business/sole-proprietors, cyber insurance, discounts for purchases from Office Depot/Office Max (download the membership card from our page) and more. All can be viewed here after you login on asla.org. Members that take advantage of these offers can pay their membership dues on the savings alone.

State Government Affairs As of March 14, thirty-seven states are convened for legislative session. ASLA staff is tracking 180 occupational licensing bills. The State Government Affairs team continues to work closely with several chapters on legislative advocacy initiatives. More information on state licensure and legislation can be found HERE

The State Government Affairs team joined CLARB to host a quarterly Web Licensure Summit on Thursday, March 10. Nearly 60 individuals received a report on recent legislative activity and heard an update on CLARB's Uniform Standard recommendation. The web summit also provided information on the newly launched Women of Color Licensure Advancement Program.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me or anyone on the executive committee with questions or thoughts.

Cheers! Adam Castor, Chapter President

World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM)

Aaron Johnson, VP of Visibility & Public Affairs

World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM) is here! Every year in April National ASLA, in conjunction with the state chapters, launches a large media campaign to promote the profession of Landscape Architecture through social media, community interaction, print media, interviews and volunteer activities. The Utah Chapter of ASLA is excited to participate and we have a great plan to promote our wonderful profession!

This year for WLAM we will provide a series of Instagram posts and stories highlighting the history of landscape architecture in Utah and its affect on our communities. We will showcase a few projects that have helped create amazing spaces dedicated to improving our lives. The beauty and importance of our profession is not only the impact it has on our environment but the impact it has on the people who interact with it every day.

History has shown that the Utah Chapter of ASLA loves and prioritizes opportunities to serve the community. Last year we helped clean up a section of the Jordan River by the Tracy Aviary and had a great turn out. This year for the WLAM service opportunity we will be assisting the Taylorsville Parks and Recreation Committee in their Loving Labrum Park activity. The Parks and Rec Committee have been volunteering nights and weekends to remove an underused portion of grass and create an educational garden of water-wise and native plants. The goal of the project is to inspire residents of Taylorsville to remove their wasteful grass and conserve water by planting native plants at their own homes. We will be planting over 300 plants in a previously underused area of a great park in a wonderful community.

Winter Social

We kicked off 2022 with the Winter Social event on Thursday March 10th. It was really good to meet in-person and catch up with some of our sponsors and members again, we can’t thank you all enough for the support that you provide to the Chapter. For those sponsors and members that weren’t able to make it, we missed you and hopefully we’ll see you in April.

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support in 2021 and look forward to working with you in 2022!! Renew your Sponsorship Here

Learn More About Our Sponsors

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR or Corporate Partner

ASLA UTAH FEBUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

February 28, 2022 by ASLA Utah

ASLA UTAH FEBRUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE!! ASLA Utah Annual Conference
September 8th & 9th
More Detail Coming Soon!

WINTER SOCIALASLA Utah Annual Conference
Thursday, March 10th, 6:30pm
ASLA UT Office, 280 S 400 W RSVP HERE

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

Hello ASLA Utah Chapter Members!

I hope you are all doing well and staying busy. Each month ASLA sends CPC News and Leadership Express to its chapter presidents, which helps keep us up to date on current events happening at the national level and within other state chapters. There is an incredible amount of information that is provided by ASLA about a lot of things going on, too much to share in our newsletter. But in the spirit of sharing information and keeping you all up to date, here are a few notable topics from the February CPC News and Leadership Express:

Honors and Awards: Accepting Entries for the ASLA Professional and Student Awards. Submissions are now open for the ASLA 2022 Professional and Student Awards! Each year, the ASLA Professional Awards honor the best in landscape architecture from around the globe. At the same time, the ASLA Student Awards give us a glimpse into the profession’s future. Recipients receive coverage in Landscape Architecture Magazine and are honored at the awards presentation ceremony during the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture in San Francisco, November 11-14, 2022.

Highlights: On February 1, ASLA kicked off its Black History Month celebration with the Black Landscape Architects Network (BlackLAN). This year, ASLA's celebration of Black History Month is dedicated to the BlackLAN and the advancements made within the organization over just the last year.

Development and Strategic Partners: The ASLA Fund is raising money for ASLA’s inaugural Minecraft Design Camps to take place in underserved high schools around the country in conjunction with ASLA Chapters. You can sponsor a school to participate in these camps here.

Public Relations, Communications, and Marketing: A video of the ASLA 2030 Vision presentation at the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture by immediate past ASLA President Tom Mroz, FASLA, and ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen, along with the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan with milestones, was publicly released and incorporated into the About ASLA section and home page of ASLA.org. For future reference, please go to About ASLA to review and share the 2030 Vision and 2022-2024 Strategic Plan with milestones.

Landscape Architecture Magazine: Landscape Architecture Magazine Online’s website design refresh is scheduled to debut in April, World Landscape Architecture Month. When complete, the emphasis will be on making the magazine’s extensive online content mobile friendly and easier to find and share, as well as introducing and testing new features in anticipation of the 2023 launch of the new LAM Online.

Government Affairs: As of Monday, February 14, forty-five states were convened for legislative session. Staff is tracking 165 occupational licensing bills. The state government affairs team has worked closely with several chapters on legislative advocacy initiatives.

State Government Affairs is also working closely with the Idaho/Wyoming Chapter to voice concerns on the creation of a combined landscape architecture and architecture board. This newly created combined board would provide unequal representation, giving architects sole regulatory authority over landscape architect’s best interests.

Recently, the White House unveiled the Guidebook to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – a roadmap to funding available under the law, which informs the public about what to apply for, who to contact, and available funding. ASLA also informed members about a series of training webinars on all the types of infrastructure funding available.

Professional Practice: On February 1, ASLA hosted The Year to Achieve: How to Grow Your Business with Bill Truby Achievements, ASLA’s newest affinity partnership. The webinar recording is now available in the ASLA Online Learning Library. ASLA members have access to a special discount for Truby Achievements leadership training courses, which can be found on ASLA's member benefits page under Affinity Partnerships.

Mentorship Program: ASLA’s Mentorship Program has a total of 174 active relationships, in addition to 46 that have already been completed. Additional mentors are still needed for the mentorship program. To register, please enroll here. Emerging professionals are now invited to enroll in the program as an added member benefit.

Here at Home

· March 10th – Winter Social. Always a good time to catch up with other landscape architects and an opportunity to thank our sponsors for all that they do for our chapter. I hope to see you all there.

· April – World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM)

· September 8th – 9th – ASLA UT Annual Conference. I’m looking forward to meeting in person again at this year’s conference. Seth is compiling a meaningful agenda of topics and speakers, and the venue should provide a great experience for a two-day format. More details and information to come on that as well.

As always, please reach out with any questions, concerns, ideas, or you are interested in volunteering for a subcommittee position. Despite the political and social issues that we’re currently experiencing, it’s a good time to be a landscape architect and it’s a fun experience to be a part of the chapter executive and sub committees. We have a lot going on and welcome anyone interested in helping us meet our objectives.

Cheers! Adam Castor, Chapter President

World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM)

Aaron Johnson, VP of Visibility/Public Affairs

It’s that time of the year again! World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM) is coming soon in April. Every year in April National ASLA, in conjunction with the state chapters, launches a large media campaign to promote the profession of Landscape Architecture through social media, community interaction, print media, interviews and volunteer activities. The goal is to promote and showcase the importance of Landscape Architecture to government and elected officials, private developers and most importantly the public. I’m sure many of us have been asked the “What is landscape architecture exactly?... or… Can you mow my lawn?”, though these are great questions and a start they don’t quite encompass the dynamic capabilities our profession provides to our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. WLAM is our chance to provide a platform to spread the how important the profession of Landscape Architecture is to our built environments.

The Utah ASLA Chapter is proud to be a part of this movement and prioritize participating each year. In years past there has been an opportunity for each chapter to “takeover” the National ASLA Instagram page with projects and events that are happening locally in Utah. This year, however, there will not be an Instagram takeover rather a concentrated effort to reach our communities and local residents that make Utah so unique. To reach many individuals and families, the Utah ASLA Chapter will still be utilizing a variety of media platforms to showcase our great profession. To help us accomplish this goal we are asking for help from you! We are looking for unique, inspiring, beautiful, and meaningful landscape architecture projects that have made your communities one of a kind. Doesn’t have to be a park, it could be anything in our landscape or urban communities that have created a sense of place for you and your loved ones. Please reach out to me, Aaron Johnson, to submit, share ideas and for ways to get involved with WLAM 2022.

Please email a2ron1991@gmail.com to help promote the profession of Landscape Architecture

ASLA Utah 2022 Annual Conference

Seth Bockholt, Past President

The Business of Design

The ASLA UT 2022 Conference held September 8th and 9th on ‘The Business of Design’ will offer attendees education opportunities on the ins and outs of working in, starting, and running a design business. You will have the opportunity to learn from local business leaders in architecture, engineering, and landscape architecture highlighted with an insightful Key-Note address from Mark Johnson FASLA, founder of CIVITAS.
The conference will kick off with breakfast at the general session where you will have plenty of time to catch up with colleagues. Later, sessions will provide attendees Continuing Education Credits to fulfill their requirement for licensure and the Vendor EXPO will provide access to over 40 expert consultants, manufacturers, and suppliers.

The educational sessions will kick off on the morning of September 8th and begin with a quiz intended to diagnosis your design-business acumen; helping you choose which breakout sessions to focus on attending. Specific sessions will include classes on various aspects of the business of design including:

Sales - Sessions on the advantages of specialization, marketing and pricing models.
Administration - Sessions on contracts, healthy work environment & design business accounting.
Operations - Project management, teaming models and design process’.

Lunch will be provided during the session and Vendor EXPO and the first day will be capped off with a Principals Roundtable and questions and answer period.

Day two of the ASLA UT 2002 Conference September 9th, join your colleagues for breakfast at the Vendor EXPO and stay to visit with over 40 sponsoring manufacturers, suppliers, and consulting experts. Simple sessions will be held on the nuances of working with various client types such as Private Developers, Contractors on alternative delivery models, Government departments as well as sub consulting with architects and engineering firms. The conference will culminate with an inspiring keynote address by Mark Johnson, FASLA founder of CIVITAS.

Save the date! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to grow your business acumen. Whether you want to start your own firm someday, raise the bar with your current practice, or learn how to be a more valuable team player, this year’s ASLA UT conference will provide a lot of fun and growth opportunities for all!

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support in 2021 and look forward to working with you in 2022!! Renew your Sponsorship Here

Learn More About Our Sponsors

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR or Corporate Partner

ASLA UTAH JANUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

January 30, 2022 by ASLA Utah

ASLA UTAH JANUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE!! ASLA Utah Annual Conference
September 8th & 9th
More Detail Coming Soon!

LAEP Speaker Series
Friday, February 25th, 3:30pm
More Info: Click Here

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

I will admit that when two snowstorms in quick succession rolled through Utah in December and left deep snow across the Wasatch Front, I couldn’t help feeling hopeful that maybe it was the start of a series of winter storms that would help relieve the drought conditions in Utah and across the western United States. Unfortunately that hasn’t materialized yet, as we have just experienced another dry January here in Utah. But with our wettest months still to come I remain hopeful that our water conditions will improve over the coming months. In the meantime, I intend to continue pursuing ways to plan and design thoughtful communities and landscapes that reduce water consumption.

At the Chapter President’s Council meetings in Nashville last year, Seth Bockholt and I were able to connect with several chapter presidents from the other “four-corners” states. Over the past recent years Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico have all experienced similar drought conditions, record high summer temperatures, wild fires, population growth, and increasing demand on water resources. Naturally, these climate and population issues often became the topic of conversation at the CPC meetings and as a result, the four-corners chapter presidents are currently working on an opportunity for a virtual meet-and-greet and to organize discussions about the environmental issues we are facing, and what landscape architects are doing or what landscape architects can do to help address these issues through design and advocacy.

The idea of an annual intermountain region meeting/conference between the four corners chapters, as well as Idaho and Montana, has also been floated as a way to bring together members of these chapters around these critical issues. As these networking opportunities continue to evolve, it would be great to be able highlight projects and studies that Utah landscape architects have worked on, or are currently working on, that include climate positive design measures to address and mitigate climate change. If any of our members across the state have projects that could be shared and perhaps featured in a monthly newsletter, please reach out.

Stayed tuned for more details and updates on our collaboration with the four corners chapters, as well as our upcoming events: the winter social in March, World Landscape Architecture Month in April, and the 2022 annual conference.

Cheers!

Adam Castor, Chapter President

The Utah ASLA Memorial Scholarship

Aaron Johnson, VP of Visibility/Public Affairs & Geoff Ellis, Memorial Fund Chair

Over the past 50 years the Utah ASLA Memorial fund has been used to provide opportunities where previously there had been none. It has influenced landscape architecture in Utah, as well as helping to grow the profession on a national scale. Funds have been used in the construction of the ASLA National headquarters in Washington DC, and most recently it has provided a way for students to learn and grow in the profession.

Created in the memories of Happ Young and Karsten Hansen, pillars of the landscape architecture community in Utah, the purpose of the fund was defined as providing visibility for the profession and benefits to the general community in Utah. The Memorial Scholarship was established in 2012 for students in the LAEP Department at USU, with the first award granted in 2013.

Recent Scholarship Recipents:

2021/22 Logan Hall, MLA in prog.

2020/21 Saul Karamesines MsBRP in prog

Past Recipients:

2019-2020 - Survier Castillo 2018-2019 Patricia Beckert B+MLA in progress 2017-2018 Drew Hill - B+MLA 2016-2017 Emmeline Zenger - BLA '17 2015-2016 Hailey Wall - BLA '16 2014-2015 Sam Taylor - BLA '15 2013-2014 Kim Cloward Drown - MLA, '14

The Utah Chapter of ASLA recognizes the ever growing importance of the Memorial Scholarship within our community and is dedicated to helping it grow. 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.

To reach our goals we are excited to announce new opportunities for funding provided by our amazing sponsors and members, please reach out to Jenny Sonntag (uaslaexecutivedirector@gmail.com) to learn more! In addition, the Utah ASLA website will feature a brief history of the scholarship, highlight the past winners of the scholarship, and provide information on how members and sponsors can donate to the Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Go to: (utahasla.org/memorial-fund) for more information.

This fund has been touching the lives of students and the community for over 50 years! 2018 scholarship recipient Patricia Beckert said it best, “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.”

ASLA Utah Member Spotlight

Tyler Smithson, Membership Committee Chair

Brenda Wadsworth

Langvardt Design Group

ASLA UT: Why did you choose Landscape Architecture as your profession?

Brenda: I love being outside and I love design. When I was about 10 years old I drew up a design for our family farm in Hurricane, Utah; I created a ‘Vacation Village!’ I try not to think about what it would be worth today if it had been built.

ASLA UT: Tell us about your educational background and any past professional experience.

Brenda: I majored in Urban Planning at the University of Utah, at the time it was the closest program to ‘pre-architecture’. I didn’t know Landscape Architecture was a thing. As a planning intern I worked for a private economic analysis firm who teamed up with Landmark Design on a project in Flaming Gorge. Meeting Jan Striefel was absolutely inspiring. From talking to her and seeing her work I knew I wanted to be a landscape architect. But I was already on the ‘Planner Track.’ I worked for the state of Utah in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget on rural land use issues—federal and state land coordination policies— for a few years. It’s pretty divisive stuff. I have a few good stories about the old ‘Sagebrush Rebellion Ranchers’ and what was happening at the time the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was designated. I wanted to get as far away as I could from western land use planning and policy, so I went to grad school in Syracuse, New York. SUNY college of Environmental Science and Forestry has a great Landscape Architecture program. Before starting, I spent a year in AmeriCorps working on a neighborhood revitalization initiative. I also had a baby! Attending grad school in landscape architecture with an infant is not a choice I’d recommend to a friend.

ASLA UT: How do you currently practice Landscape Architecture?

Brenda: HAHA! Probably like everyone else right now, I careen from deadline to deadline, hope I don’t make too many mistakes, and hope at least some of what we are doing turns out ok. That’s why it’s so important to have scheduled moments—like our conferences—to connect, learn, and remind ourselves that what we do is powerful and important.

ASLA UT: What project have you been involved in that you take great accomplishment in and why?

Brenda: One of the first residential projects I did on my own was super fulfilling. It was on the ‘urban-wildland interface’ in California. It was early in the ‘green design’ movement (which was ridiculous—it’s what we do anyway, right?) So the client was on board with harvesting water, planting native, attracting wildlife, and preserving the native oaks. Visiting the site a year later and seeing everything functioning, filling in, blooming, (although native plants are a challenge!) and best of all: birds, insects, and critters showing up! was a proud parent moment.

The Church of the Holy Family image was sourced from http://www.pamelaburtonco.com/projects/church-of-the-holy-f amily/.

ASLA UT: What is a project outside your design influence that impacted you greatly and inspires you?

Brenda: There are so many. I love ‘vernacular’ spaces like the warm urbanism of East Los Angeles. I aspire to create flexible and engaging public spaces where good things can happen. I had the chance to tour Pamela Burton’s Church of the Holy Family in Agoura Hills, California and hear her speak about it. SUBLIME.

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support in 2021 and look forward to working with you in 2022!! Renew your Sponsorship Here

Learn More About Our Sponsors

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR or Corporate Partner

ASLA UTAH DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

December 30, 2021 by ASLA Utah

ASLA UTAH DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

ASLA Utah Sponsor Thank You Dinner Thursday, January 27th, 6:30pm-9:00pm *Recent covid test or vaccination card required :) RSVP HERE

UNLA Green Conference Jan. 18, 19, 20, via Zoom 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Jan. 25, 26, in-person Conference & Trade Show
Mountain America Expo Center, Sandy, UT **Come Visit ASLA Utah’s Booth! RESISTER HERE

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

Adam Castor, ASLA Chapter President

The Utah ASLA Memorial Scholarship

Aaron Johnson, VP Visibility & Public Affairs, & Geoff Ellis, Memorial Fund Chair

The recipients to date have been:

2021-2022 Logan Hall - MLA in progress 2020-2021 Saul Karamesines - MsBRP in progress 2018-2019 Patricia Beckert - B+MLA in progress 2017-2018 Drew Hill - B+MLA 2016-2017 Emmeline Zenger - BLA '17

2015-2016 Hailey Wall - BLA '16 2014-2015 Sam Taylor - BLA '15 2013-2014 Kim Cloward Drown - MLA, '14

Go to: (utahasla.org/memorial-fund) for more information.

LAM - Landscape Architecture Magazine

Seth Bockholt, Past President

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support in 2021 and look forward to working with you in 2022!! Renew your Sponsorship Here

Learn More About Our Sponsors

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR or Corporate Partner

ASLA UTAH NOVEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

November 29, 2021 by ASLA Utah

ASLA UTAH NOVEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

ASLA Utah Sponsor Thank You Dinner Thursday, January 27th, 6:30pm-9:00pm ASLA Utah Offices 280 S 400 W, Salt Lake City **Space is limited so RSVP ASAP HERE

The LAEP Charrette January 24-28 Location: South Salt Lake City To participate please take this short survey by January 12th

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

Greetings ASLA Utah!

This is my first newsletter as president of the Utah chapter and I am super excited about things that are currently happening within the chapter, and things that we can look forward to as we close out 2021 and roll into 2022.

For those of you who may not know who I am, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. For those of you that do know me, cheers! I graduated from Utah State University with a BLA in 2002 following two years at the University of Utah in the pre-professional architecture program and two years at Snow College on a football scholarship. My career in Landscape Architecture has taken my family and me through multi-disciplinary offices in Carbondale, CO and Park City, UT; an engineering firm in Spanish Fork, UT; an architecture firm in Salt Lake City and now currently with Langvardt Design Group’s office in Salt Lake City. There may have also been a few years of nursery management and landscape construction mixed in as well.

This almost 20-year journey has provided me with opportunities to work with so many great landscape architects and planners, as well as other allied professionals, contractors, and owners on a multitude of public- and private-sector projects. It has also reinforced my belief that landscape architects can, and should, play a vital role in the design process for projects of all kinds, particularly those that have significant community and climate implications. We deserve a seat at the table.

As we transition into our new chapter committee roles for the upcoming year, it was an honor to represent the Utah Chapter with Seth Bockholt at the Chapter President’s Council (CPC) meetings ahead of the annual ASLA conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

The CPC meetings were attended by upwards of 85 chapter presidents and presidents-elect from across the country, and it was great to meet and network with many of them. Over the course of a full day and a half, some of the notable topics presented included uniform licensure standards by CLARB, the recently unveiled ASLA strategic plan by Tom Mroz (ASLA President) and Torey Carter-Conneen (ASLA CEO), government affairs updates, the process of creating each month’s Landscape Architecture Magazine by Jennifer Reut (Editor-In-Chief), and the Climate Action Committee. It was an exciting time in Nashville and I am looking forward to seeing the ASLA Utah chapter align itself with some of the endeavors and issues that ASLA is taking on at the national level.

I would also like to take this opportunity to give a special thank you to our executive director and our out-going committee members for all that they have done for the chapter and the time that they have been willing to put in for the benefit of our profession, and to our new in-coming committee members for their willingness to join and help serve our chapter members. We have a really great executive committee and there are a variety of subcommittee positions needing to be filled. If you are interested in participating as a subcommittee chair or as part of a subcommittee, I would encourage you to reach out to me or anyone on the executive committee for more information.

Thank you all for your help in advancing the LA profession! — Adam Castor

New Executive Committee Member

**JAKE POWELL, PRESIDENT ELECT**

UASLA: Why did you choose Landscape Architecture as your profession?

JAKE: My connection to the profession of landscape architecture began with a realization that the world around me was a product of intentional and unintentional decisions, designs, plans, and systems. A second, similar related realization was that future decisions, designs, plans, and systems would further shape the future of the environment I would live in and rely on. I decided that I wanted a career where I had a part in making the decisions, developing the plans, and envisioning the systems for a better world, no matter the scale. I felt then, and still feel now, that the legacy, training, and skills developed within the profession of landscape architecture makes the profession uniquely poised to tackle the challenges facing our species. Throughout my life I was taught and felt an obligation to leave the places I interact with better than I found them. The profession of landscape architecture has allowed me the opportunity to make that ethos my daily work, and I have considered myself lucky every day since.

UASLA: Tell us about your educational background and any past professional experience.

JAKE: I graduated with a BLA from Utah State University and worked at Jack Johnson Company before going back to graduate school at Penn State. While at Penn State I studied in the Center for Watershed Stewardship and eventually graduated with a Master’s of Science in Landscape Architecture. I returned to Utah ready to tackle the west’s water issues and worked as a watershed coordinator on the Weber River. In that position I developed watershed plans, designed and implemented stream restoration projects, and worked across disciplines to try to improve the Weber River watershed. While working on the Weber, I had a crazy idea that I wanted to help young people gain experience working on public lands. So I changed jobs and took a position as the intermountain west director of a youth conservation corp. The experience was powerful and introduced me to the world of collaborative land management, recreation infrastructure design and planning, and partnership building. I currently work as a Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP) Extension Specialist at Utah State University. It is literally my dream job and I wake up every day overwhelmed that I get to do what I do!

UASLA: How do you presently practice Landscape Architecture?

JAKE: The LAEP Extension Specialist position entails both teaching within the department as well as working across the state to develop programs, assist in projects, and help share the great work happening in the LAEP Department with the state. I have an opportunity to work with students in our studio courses and graduate students to help communities and organizations develop conceptual ideas and designs for a variety of different projects. I tend to spend most of my time working on projects that focus on water conservation and recreational infrastructure which is a fun way to utilize my previous career experience. I also developed and maintain several online educational programs that provide community members access to information about construction site storm water management, residential design, and trail stewardship.

UASLA: What project have you been involved in that you take great accomplishment in and why?

JAKE: One project that was transformative for me was my leadership role in developing a watershed plan for the Weber River. I was lucky to work for almost two years with an amazing team of biologists, planners, agricultural producers, and other stakeholders to identify watershed scale issues and the developing a strategic approach to addressing them. I learned so much about what my skills could bring to such a process and the potential that planners and designers can add to addressing complicated geo-spatial, ecological issues. Seeing the transformative power of a process on a group of stakeholders and the subsequent relationships, understanding, and direction the plan provided was so fulfilling and exciting.

**UASLA: What is a project outside your design influence that impacted you greatly and inspires you?**

JAKE: I have always loved spaces that adjust our perception through the experiential qualities of the site. When I was a teen my family made a pilgrimage to Washington DC. I will never forget my experience at the Vietnam Memorial. The simple, solemn representation of that event in history stood in stark contrast to other monuments I had experienced that day. I was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of names etched into the stone and I remember watching my father and mother seek for names of acquaintances and friends they personally lost as a result of the war. I didn’t know much about the Vietnam war, but I could feel the tremendous weight of a nation’s grief as the black granite slabs towered over me. The feelings that space created were powerful enough to move even an obnoxious teenage kid. In graduate school I was able to study the symbolism and design strategies and techniques that inspired such powerful feelings. My study culminated with a visit to the space again, now with new eyes and understanding. I was further impressed as I stood in that memorial over 15 years later and observed how such a complicated and powerful story could be conveyed through the physical design of a space. The Vietnam memorial remains one of the spaces that impacted my appreciation for the power of a space to teach, inspire, and communicate meaning in subtle and elegant ways.

UASLA: What are your top three goals that you would like to accomplish while serving on the ExCom Board?

JAKE: Expand the relevance and benefits of the ASLA to partner organizations as well as current and potential members not currently affiliated with the ASLA Enhance the capacity for the ASLA to advocate for the profession within the state’s legislative and legal frameworks. Connect the needs of the Utah’s landscape architecture professionals back to the resources and efforts of the landscape architecture program at Utah State University

Live to Cycle - Cycle to Live

Boyd Reschke, Secretary

There are events and choices we make in life that truly change the course of our lives for the better. Two of mine were more processes than events. First was my decision to make a career change and get a degree in Landscape Architecture from Utah State University. The other happened while attending USU when, in 2008, I decided to enroll in a cycling class, which consisted of weekly bike rides. I had a mountain bike, but one week decided to go with the road bike group, not realizing how much faster road bikes were and that there was no way I could keep up with them. Finally admitting defeat, I waved them on and told them I would ride back to campus on my own. Once I tried out a road bike, I was hooked and was able to buy a barely used Orbea Orca (brand and model). Since then, I have put thousands of miles on that bike, riding several Century (100 mile) rides and a couple of 140-mile rides from Delta, Utah to the University of Utah. I can state unequivocally that cycling has made my life better, both physically and mentally.

I suspect there are many of you who have already discovered the joy of riding, but for those who have not, a great thing about cycling is that just about anyone can do it. Don’t worry about how far or fast you can or cannot ride, or if you have the latest and greatest gear, just get out and try it. I remember when I first started riding, I came home exhausted and proudly announced to my wife that I had just ridden twelve miles and being the great sport that she is, she acted impressed. As I continued to ride, I found that I could ride farther, faster, and longer. I have come to truly love the sport and how it has improved my life over the years. I remember an acquaintance scoffed at my exercising, stating that we are all going to die sometime, and I told him that I’m not afraid of dying, but of living a miserable, unhealthy existence if I didn’t exercise.

The value of exercise is undisputed, but most important is that it be done consistently. 30 minutes daily is of greater benefit than 3 hours once a week. It is good to vary exercise, and if we find it fun and enjoyable, it is more likely that we will continue to do it. That is what I love about cycling, I find it fun, exhilarating and enjoy being outside, passing through the many beautiful places around us. I remember many years ago reading an article outlining a vision for miles and miles of connected bike and walking trails throughout the Wasatch Front. It was exciting to think about the possibility, but I wondered if I would ever live long enough to see it come to pass. Now here we are some 30+ years later living that dream, thanks in large part to many Landscape Architects.

I live right by the Jordan River Parkway in Riverton. In the summer, I ride on it nearly every day, amazed at how far it allows me to go without the conflict and risk of vehicular traffic. I work in Kaysville and have ridden the 43 miles numerous times almost completely on a trail. I can ride from my house to Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon on the Jordan River Parkway, crossing over I-15 to the Murdock Canal trail, then to the Provo River Trail, 36 miles each way, completely on trails…it truly is incredible! I am grateful to all those who have made this possible and I hope that someone in the know, will write an article on how it all came to be.

“Just do it!”

There are many online articles listing the benefits of cycling, so if you need encouragement to take up the sport, look them up, but more importantly, just DO IT. It doesn’t matter if it is road cycling, mountain biking, or gravel riding, just DO IT and see for yourself how it can change your life.

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah 2021 Sponsors & Corporate Partners

Learn More About Our Sponsors

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR or Corporate Partner

ASLA UTAH OCTOBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

October 28, 2021 by ASLA Utah

Annual Awards Banquet Slideshow

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ASLA UTAH OCTOBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lucky Dog Recreation Lunch & Learn Tuesday, Nov. 16th, Noon ASLA SLC Offices REGISTER HERE

Leadership Express

Seth Bockholt, Chapter President

Greetings everyone!

The Awards dinner went well, and as I said at the mic that night it was good to gather in 3D again. We had about 50 in attendance and the night went on without much issue. It was fantastic to see the awards and hear a little from the teams that are creating our local precedent for what great landscape architecture is. Congratulations to Loft 6/4 and Loci for sweeping the awards this year! Such amazing people and such inspiring work! The highlight of the evening for me was meeting new people. I spoke with a few new faces during cocktail hour and I was deeply inspired to see the next generation of landscape designers and landscape architects. They seem to be keyed into the issues we face today, and I look forward to seeing what they create.

We are three weeks from our National Conference in Nashville Tennessee. This is the first time I will be privileged enough to attend one of these in person and represent our chapter. I am especially looking forward to touring all the great works of Landscape Architecture in Nashville and then slipping away to make a little side trip down to Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg. I am sure to be inspired to plan our chapters 2022 conference when I return.

Alas, this is my final newsletter as President of ASLA Utah. I want to welcome Adam Castor into office. Adam has been a rock to our Executive Committee, and he will now preside over the Board as I know he will do very well. Finally, I invite all members to participate in the dialogues and actions required to progress our practice in this State. There is much to do.

Change will not come from one but from all!

Seth Bockholt, ASLA

ASLA Utah is honored to announce 2021 Landscape Architecture Awards

A huge round of applause goes out to all the firms who submitted projects to this year’s awards but did not receive recognition! For those firms who have been patiently waiting for projects to be photo ready, please summarize your project and submit for the 2022 ASLA Utah awards. Next year’s awards banquet is sure to be amazing!

The Merit Award for General Design:

Loci for the The Beach Club at SoDa Row in Daybreak, Utah

The Merit Award for General Design:

Loft 6/4 for the Dixie Tech Campus in St. George, Utah

The Merit Award for General Design:

Loft 6/4 for the Yard at Canyon Park Tech Center in Orem, Utah

Residential Design Award - The Honor Award:

Loci for the Ranch House in Mount Pleasant, Utah

Awards Banquet

Tyler Smithson, Awards Committee Chair

On October 15, 2021 ASLA Utah celebrated the annual Awards Banquet in style. Featuring two sets from the swinging gypsy jazz band called the Red Rock Hot Club, ASLA’s first gathering in over a year and half was a grand success. Guest made their way to the Prairie Style “Clubhouse on South Temple” built in 1913, via a covered porch with beautiful wood inlay detail and stained-glass accents. Beyond the threshold and inside the lobby, a one-of-a-kind antique piano which had recently been returned to the lower forty-eight via an extended residency in Hawai’i. Just down the hall, an extraordinary drawing room that was converted into a bar that served cocktails with views of an outdoor patio with wavy stained-glass doors. Downstairs, lied the heart of the Photo Collective Studio (PCS) where an extensive collection of analog cameras graces handmaid bookshelves where a darkroom with revolving door to prevent outside light. This provides a stunning contrast to the historic purpose of the literary club; however, seems relevant as the PCS serves as community resource for photographers, film professionals, and other artists. This was so much fun its destined to become an annual tradition - plan on attending next year!

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah 2021 Sponsors & Corporate Partners

Learn More About Our Sponsors

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR or Corporate Partner

ASLA UTAH SEPTEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

September 30, 2021 by ASLA Utah

ASLA UTAH SEPTEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

ASLA Utah Professional Awards Dinner Friday, October 15th, 5:30pm-9:30pm BUY TICKETS HERE

Hanover Architectural Products

Lunch & Learn Tuesday, October 26th, Noon ASLA SLC Offices REGISTER HERE

Lucky Dog Recreation Lunch & Learn

Tuesday, Nov. 16th, Noon ASLA SLC Offices REGISTER HERE

Leadership Express

Seth Bockholt, Chapter President

What are the choices we make today that will best help create a better tomorrow?

When I see the work, you are all doing I get inspired and feel positive that our future is going to be brighter than ever before. I see so many talented Landscape Architects, Designers and Student work latterly. You’re all busy designing the human habitat of tomorrow, and I am loving what I see! I know its not easy, so what are the choices that we make every day at work that will help us create that vision of a better tomorrow?

The biggest projects and the sometimes-small ones that have the biggest impacts on our communities require us to work with other disciplines, lots of stakeholders and all sorts of tradespeople to realize the vision. So, I submit that the main choices you make are choices on how to treat those people working next to you. We decide today how we will live today. And tomorrow how we will live tomorrow. We need to make these choices every day.

Let’s choose to never say a negative word about each other.

Let’s choose to be patient when there is misunderstanding.

Let’s choose to speak clearly about a need without complaining.

Let’s choose to be concerned each other’s success more than our own.

And most of all: Let’s celebrate our victories!

Come join me and all your ASLA colleagues at the awards dinner to celebrate the victories those among us have had over this past year.

Choose to register for this years Awards Dinner at the Historic Ladies Literary Club Clubhouse at 850 South Temple October 15th from 5:30 -9:30.

See you there! Seth Bockholt, ASLA

Award Dinner October 15, 2021

Tyler Smithson, Awards Committee Chair

Come celebrate excellence in Landscape Architecture at the The Clubhouse (formerly know as the historic Ladies Literary Club Clubhouse) for the 2021 ASLA Awards Banquet! Once referred as “…the best building in Salt Lake City that nobody has ever heard of. It’s like finding a Rembrandt in your attic.”[i] This building has survived over 110 years on South Temple as an icon of early 20th century architectural style.

On October 15th we will be connecting old with new as we bring swinging gypsy jazz band Red Rock Hot Club to the stage. Invite your significant other or bring a friend because this will be an outstanding evening with catered dinner/bar, awards presentation, photo booth, and dancing. For more information about the venue check out https://clubhouseslc.com/history. Special thanks to Confluence Products for Sponsoring this years Awards Banquet. To Purchase Tickets: CLICK HERE

New Executive Committee Member

**THOMAS EDDINGTON, VP of ADVOCACY**

UASLA: Why did you choose Landscape Architecture as your profession?

THOMAS: I have a strong interest in design and integrating the built world into the natural world. This profession relates nicely with my planning background as well.

UASLA: Tell us about your educational background and any past professional experience.

THOMAS: I received my BA degree from the University of Illinois along with a BA in planning. My MA in planning is from the University of Pennsylvania. I currently have a consulting firm, Integrated Planning and Design LLC, but have had the privilege to work in local government in the midwest and as Planning Director in Park City in addition to private consulting work on the east coast, New Jersey.

UASLA: How do you presently practice Landscape Architecture?

THOMAS: I offer planning and landscape architecture services by way of my firm Integrated Planning and Design, LLC.

UASLA: What project have you been involved in that you take great accomplishment in and why?

THOMAS: The projects in the Wasatch Back, Park City and Hideout in particular. Ensuring quality design and development standards for some of the new neighborhoods bing planned has been very rewarding.

UASLA: What is a project outside your design influence that impacted you greatly and inspires you?

**THOMAS:** A few: the Oglethorpe Plan in Savannah GA, Ryoan-ji in Kyoto, Japan and the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, Spain.

UASLA: What are your top three goals that you would like to accomplish while serving on the ExCom Board?

THOMAS: 1. Improved coordination with APA and AIA. 2. Expand collaboration with private enterprises in UT 3. Active membership

Park(ing) Day 2021

Aaron Johnson, VP of Visibility and Public Affairs

Park(ing) Day was AMAZING! On Friday September 17th, the Utah Chapter of ASLA participated in the annual Park(ing) Day activities at the SoHo Food Park near the city center in Holladay. We had a great turn out and had a fun time connecting with the residents and fellow professionals who showed up to support the event. The theme this year was centered on our lovable furry friends and bringing awareness to their lack of representation the public space that makes up our cities. Thank you to all that brought their pets to come say hi! We had a quite a few dogs and even a cat come to get some treats!

Wanted to give a big thank you to all those who participated and help set up this event. Specifically, SoHo Food Park for allowing us to use one of their parking spaces, Landscape Forms for bringing tables and chairs, Lucky Dog Recreation for providing the snacks and fake fire hydrant for the dogs, Tri City Nursery loaning us some trees and shrubs for the day, and Biograss for donating the turf grass to cover the parking stalls. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the Executive Committee donating their time and effort to help grow the profession of landscape architecture, and the Executive Committee would be nothing without Jenny Sonntag, thanks for all you do!!

Finally, thank you to all our wonderful ASLA Members and fellow professionals who help make our world better every day!

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah 2021 Sponsors & Corporate Partners

Learn More About Our Sponsors

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR or Corporate Partner

ASLA UTAH AUGUST 2021 NEWSLETTER

August 31, 2021 by ASLA Utah

ASLA UTAH AUGUST 2021 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Parking Day 2021 Friday, September 17th More info soon!

Hanover Architectural Products Lunch & Learn Tuesday, October 26th, Noon ASLA SLC Offices REGISTER HERE

ASLA Utah Professional Awards Dinner & Dancing *Save the Date: Friday, October 15th, 5:00pm*

Lucky Dog Recreation Lunch & Learn Tuesday, Nov. 16th, Noon ASLA SLC Offices REGISTER HERE

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Leadership Express

Seth Bockholt, Chapter President

Seth Bockholt, PLA ASLA

There is a lot of fun activities coming up for us in the next couple months. We are reviving ASLA UT Parking day after our brief hiatus and the awards banquet in October is going to be a load of fun with a live band. You’ll learn more about the details those events within this newsletter. Here I would like to let you know what I have been thinking for next year’s annual conference and ask for your input and feedback if anything jumps out to you.

- I am thinking that it would be nice to hold our 2022 conference at a place that will allow us to be outside in nature and nearby recreational opportunities. More of a ‘Retreat’ than a ‘Conference; Along those lines a place that offers the opportunity to make a weekend of it if you choose, with overnight options nearby but not too far for those who choose to commute in for a single day.

- Given that the venue could be outdoors, I think it would be nice to hold the conference later in the summer or early fall. When temperatures are a little cooler and kids are back in school. Maybe in one of the canyons along the Wasatch Front. Maybe in or around Moab. I have reached out to two places so far, and both seem interested in hosting us.

- There are a couple directions the emphasis of the conference might go towards. One being on ‘The business of landscape architecture’. With speakers and breakouts focused on running a design business. With topics ranging from marketing to team building and the financial aspects of the business. The other topic is the “Ethics” with speakers and breakouts focused on the two ethical guidelines ASLA members have committed to following. The “ASLA Code of Environmental and Business Ethics”. Maybe these topics overlap in some regards, and we could look at them both.

Please reach out to me if you have any thoughts or ideas for next year’s conference whether they build on this outline or critique it. I want to hear from you if you have an opinion either way. My email is seth@bockholtla.com and my mobile is 801.602.9951.

Thank you all for being a member of our society and enjoy reading the rest of the newsletter!

Seth Bockholt, President ASLA UT Chapter.

2021 ALSA UT Election Results

President Elect
Jake Powell

Trustee
Bryce Ward

VP of Professional Development
Cameron Blakely

VP of Advocacy
Thomas Eddington

Jake Powell

Bryce Ward

Cameron Blakley

Thomas Eddington

2021 ALSA Amplify

Adam Castor, President Elect

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On August 24th and 25th, ASLA National held a two-day online webinar called Amplify, which focused on state licensure and climate change advocacy. “Advocate. Be Seen. Be Heard.” was the theme for this educational webinar. Each ASLA chapter was invited to register up to ten executive committee members to tune in and hear from some very notable speakers on the importance Landscape Architects advocating for the value of state licensure and our role in addressing climate change through design.

Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 2.39.13 PM.png — Keynote:Tory Carter-Conneen CEO, ARPL

Day number one kicked off with an inspiring introduction from Keynote Speaker Torey Carter-Conneen, ASLA’s new CEO, which was followed by a presentation on the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL). The ARPL is an advocacy group for licensed professions that are relied upon for protecting the public’s health, safety, and well-being which includes, among others, landscape architecture, civil engineering, land surveyors, and architecture. In addition to advocating for licensed professionals, the ARPL also strives to educate policy makers and the general public on the importance of professional licensure and high standards of education, examination, and experience. Oxford Economics was commissioned by the ARPL to complete a research study on the impacts of professional licensing, which resulted in the recently published Oxford Report. The findings of this report will be used by the ARPL as a resource in educating policy makers that are debating legislation on the regulation, or deregulation, of professional licensing. It’s nice to know that the profession of landscape architecture has a nationwide advocate that recognizes the importance of professional licensure and the education, examination, and experience needed to obtain licensure. More information on the ARPL and the Oxford Report can be found at www.responsiblelicensing.com.

The threat of licensure deregulation is real. Perhaps not in Utah or in other states right now, but as state legislative sessions come and go, so too do bills that have the potential to strip landscape architects of our title and/or our ability to practice as a licensed professional. Why? The most common arguments are based on free trade, the “right to work”, and the overlap of practice between architects, engineers, landscape architects, as well as landscape designers and landscape contractors. As recently as 2017, the state of Illinois experienced a serious threat of deregulation of the state’s Landscape Architect Title Act. As one of only three states with a Title Act, the ASLA Illinois Chapter (ILASLA) decided to pursue a Practice Act while facing deregulation of the Title Act. Throughout 2018 ILASLA hired a lobbyist, negotiated with allied professionals and the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, and ultimately drafted and brought to the legislation a Practice Act bill. In 2019, due to Covid-19, the legislative session was abruptly ended without a vote on the Practice Act, and in 2020 the Title Act was repealed through a sunset law. In early 2021, through an intense advocacy effort and securing two bill sponsors, ILASLA negotiated a new Title Act bill which was introduced during the spring legislative session. The bill passed through the House and the Senate and was signed into law by the Governor on August 6, 2021. The successful passing of the new Title Act in Virginia validates the importance of landscape architects engaging state legislators and representatives, developing alliances with other design professionals, and educating the public on the services that we provide as licensed professionals. Without it, we may experience the Saga of Licensure in Utah.

Screen Shot 2021-08-31 at 2.45.20 PM.png — Day 2: COP26

A collection of countries under the United Nations is gathering in November 2021 for the 26th global climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland with the common goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.

Day number two shifted the focus to climate change and the role landscape architects can have as advocates for addressing it, as well as leading the way in climate positive design. The first presentation covered COP26, or Conference of the Parties. This collection of countries under the United Nations is gathering in November 2021 for the 26th global climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland with the common goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. The United Nations has set some lofty Sustainable Development Goals in order to achieve the global warming limit and to build global consensus through shared understanding. The International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) and ASLA National are both taking an active role in COP26 and the Climate Action Committee through media campaigns, press releases, and event collaborations. Landscape architects are uniquely educated and qualified to address climate change and global warming, and these two organizations are actively advocating for our profession at the international level. More information can be found at www.ukcop26.org, www.iflaworld.com, and www.asla.org.

Following the COP26 presentation, we heard case studies from Virginia and Sacramento, California in which landscape architects are actively advocating and designing for climate change. Similar to Illinois, the profession of landscape architecture in the state of Virginia has been up for deregulation three times over the past decade. Through an effort to engage and educate their policy makers, senators and delegates were invited to attend the Chesapeake Bay conference on sea level rise and flooding, during which the work of landscape architects providing nature-based solutions to coastal design and resiliency was presented. This effort was but one of many ways that landscape architects in Virginia have stepped up to defend and maintain their licensure, and as a result landscape architects are now heavily involved in coastal design, tree preservation, and master planning projects at the state level. In California, the CCASLA is a statewide advocacy council comprised of the four California ASLA chapters. The CCASLA is involved in drafting statewide climate change response strategies, as well as the 2021 State Adaptation Strategy and the Natural Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. Landscape architects in California are providing climate positive design on projects funded by the state, they’re recommending sustainable sites initiatives, and they’re sharing resources, information, and opportunities. This involvement at the state level is having a big impact on landscape architects providing direct feedback on statewide strategies and plans that feed future licensure legislation. The presentation concluded with additional opportunities where landscape architects are advocating and designing for climate change including the US Forest Service, a board member for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, and a city council member.

As landscape architects we are uniquely educated, we take a rigorous exam to become licensed professionals, and we have working experiences that are extensive. We also have an obligation to defend the legislation that regulates our profession and we have an obligation to lend our collective knowledge to projects that can have global implications. We must reach out and engage our elected officials, our district representatives, and our state legislators and we must all strive for climate positive design. A closing quote from the 2021 ASLA Amplify webinar: “You all need to be prepared to defend this every single year. It’s not going away.”

Adam Castor, RLA, Utah ASLA President-Elect

Park(ing) Day 2021

Aaron Johnson, VP of Visibility and Public Affairs

Screen Shot 2021-08-30 at 6.22.53 PM.png — It’s that time of the year again! **PARK(ing) DAY!**

On Friday, September 17th, cities and organizations across the world will be showcasing how the public space in our communities can be better utilized. For those who are not familiar, Parking Day started as a guerilla art project in 2005 by Rebar. Its goal is to temporarily repurpose street parking spaces and convert them into tiny parks and places for art, play, and activism. By activating a single parking space, Parking day reclaims the spaces previously dedicated to the car and gives it back to the larger community.

This year the Utah ASLA Chapter is happy to announce that we will be participating in Parking Day in person. We will be prioritizing and will be following all COVID-19 health protocols to create a healthy and safe space to engage with each other. We recognize the importance of taking back our public space to provide adequate space for the community to gather in a safe way, that has never been more apparent then in this last year. Utah ASLA will use this opportunity to engage in the community and create a memorable experience where previously thought impossible!

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah 2021 Sponsors & Corporate Partners

Learn More About Our Sponsors

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR or Corporate Partner

ASLA UTAH JUNE/JULY 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Early Bird Discount Ends July 31st Don’t miss out - REGISTER NOW!! ASLA Utah Annual Conference 2022 September 8th & 9th, Salt Lake City, Utah

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

ASLA Utah Annual Conference

ASLA UT ANNUAL CONFERENCE

KEYNOTE SPEAKER - MARK W. JOHNSON, FASLA

Member Spotlight

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

ASLA UTAH APRIL 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

WLAM Service Project

USU LAEP Awards Banquet

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support in 2021 and look forward to working with you in 2022!! Renew your Sponsorship Here

ASLA UTAH MARCH 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM)

Winter Social

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support in 2021 and look forward to working with you in 2022!! Renew your Sponsorship Here

ASLA UTAH FEBRUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM)

Aaron Johnson, VP of Visibility/Public Affairs

ASLA Utah 2022 Annual Conference

Seth Bockholt, Past President

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support in 2021 and look forward to working with you in 2022!! Renew your Sponsorship Here

ASLA UTAH JANUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

The Utah ASLA Memorial Scholarship

Aaron Johnson, VP of Visibility/Public Affairs & Geoff Ellis, Memorial Fund Chair

ASLA Utah Member Spotlight

Tyler Smithson, Membership Committee Chair

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support in 2021 and look forward to working with you in 2022!! Renew your Sponsorship Here

ASLA UTAH DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

The Utah ASLA Memorial Scholarship

Aaron Johnson, VP Visibility & Public Affairs, & Geoff Ellis, Memorial Fund Chair

LAM - Landscape Architecture Magazine

Seth Bockholt, Past President

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah Sponsors & Corporate Partners for their Support in 2021 and look forward to working with you in 2022!! Renew your Sponsorship Here

ASLA UTAH NOVEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership Express

Adam Castor, Chapter President

Live to Cycle - Cycle to Live

Boyd Reschke, Secretary

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah 2021 Sponsors & Corporate Partners

Annual Awards Banquet Slideshow

ASLA UTAH OCTOBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership Express

Seth Bockholt, Chapter President

ASLA Utah is honored to announce 2021 Landscape Architecture Awards

The Merit Award for General Design:

Loci for the The Beach Club at SoDa Row in Daybreak, Utah

The Merit Award for General Design:

Loft 6/4 for the Dixie Tech Campus in St. George, Utah

The Merit Award for General Design:

Loft 6/4 for the Yard at Canyon Park Tech Center in Orem, Utah

Residential Design Award - The Honor Award:

Loci for the Ranch House in Mount Pleasant, Utah

Awards Banquet

Tyler Smithson, Awards Committee Chair

Special Thanks to ASLA Utah 2021 Sponsors & Corporate Partners

ASLA UTAH SEPTEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Leadership Express

Seth Bockholt, Chapter President

Award Dinner October 15, 2021

Early Bird Discount Ends July 31st Don’t miss out - REGISTER NOW!! ASLA Utah Annual Conference 2022
September 8th & 9th, Salt Lake City, Utah

President Elect
Jake Powell

Trustee
Bryce Ward

VP of Professional Development
Cameron Blakely

VP of Advocacy
Thomas Eddington