CSLA News
Message from Michelle Legault, CSLA Executive Director
Dear Colleagues,
Happy new year! January is always a time of reflection and renewal for me, and this January has me pondering the CSLA's work on reconciliation, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. I consider myself privileged to be able to do this kind of work, and I am mindful that advancing the profession is a marathon, not a sprint. Moving the needle can seem slow, but the keys to success, in my experience, are ensuring that your leadership understands the importance of the work (which they do!), and is committed to integrating it into the organization's budget, systems and operations on an ongoing and sustained basis (which they also do!). The CSLA currently maintains two committees who work on these issues: the Reconciliation Advisory Committee, and the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. I invite you to review and reflect on the work of these committees, including: resource pages, a Guide to Land Acknowledgements, themed LP magazines, and more.
The work of the two aforementioned committees is also supported by work in other CSLA committees. For example, reconciliation, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion are now a consideration for accreditation thanks to the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council, our College of Fellows Executive Committee is working on a mentorship program, and concepts of climate justice are being explored by the Committee on Climate Adaptation. In 2024, the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Reconciliation Committee will launch "Courageous Conversations" (an open, safe discussion platform), training on reconciliation, a glossary and inclusive language guide, a guide to using SMART goals to measure our success, and much more! Stay tuned for these announcements via our eblasts and bulletin, and thank you, colleagues, for contributing to the discussion, volunteering your time, and participating in these initiatives.
Only by working together can we move that needle.
Michelle
Reminders for Upcoming Deadlines!
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2024 Awards of Excellence Program Call for SubmissionsDeadline: Thursday, January 25th, 2024 at 4 pm ET |
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2024 Governor General's Medal Call for NominationsDeadline: Thursday, February 1st, 2024 at 4 pm EDT |
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2024 Recognition Awards Call for NominationsDeadline: February 1st 2024 at 4 pm ET. |
Celebrating the Past | Imagining the Future: CSLA Celebrates its 90th Anniversary in 2024
Join us this year in celebrating the founding of the CSLA 90 years ago in 1934!
We will be celebrating throughout 2024 with several initiatives planned by the CSLA’s 90th Anniversary Task Force.
Read more about how we are celebrating
CSLA 2022 GHG Inventory
The CSLA is proud to announce that we have successfully completed a certified greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for our 2022 operations and activities. Our carbon footprint for the 2022 calendar year was 176.46 tCO2e, with a breakdown as follows:
- 93.2% paper consumption of producing L|P magazine
- 4.6% transportation and accommodations (note: no national Congress was held in 2022)
- 2.1% home offices of staff (heat and electricity)
- 0.1% other
For comparison, 176.46 tCO2e is equivalent to the consumption of 399 barrels of oil, or the energy used by 41.3 Canadian homes in one year.
The CSLA is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and to be a carbon neutral organization by 2026. As such we have taken immediate steps to reduce the emissions associated with L|P magazine production by switching to a recycled paper in the coming year. We also plan to assess the most sustainable modes of travel when in-person meetings are most appropriate for conducting the business of the association or when representatives of the association are invited to participate in events.
While we anticipate that our carbon footprint for 2023 will indicate an increase over that of 2022 (due to travel associated with the 2023 Congress), we are looking forward to continuing to take the necessary steps towards reducing our impact in 2024. We will also be promoting resources and tools for you to do the same in your practice and in your projects over the coming year.
Artificial Intelligence in Landscape Architecture
The CSLA would like to thank everyone who participated in our recent survey on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Landscape Architecture. We received an outstanding 411 responses, which is more than any recent survey the CSLA has conducted.
The high response rate speaks to the importance of the topic and the interest our members have in participating in future discussions on how AI is affecting landscape architecture practice, education, and research. Over 34% of respondents indicated that they are currently applying AI in their practice and/or research, most commonly in the form of language processing (grammar and editing) and generative AI (generating data, text, image, or video). Based on the initial review of the responses, AI appears to be saving landscape architects time and money, while skepticism on accuracy remains high, and tools and resources for learning these new skills are limited.
The CSLA will provide a more in-depth report on the results of this survey and will be scheduling the first meeting of the CSLA's AI Network in the coming months. Stay tuned!
If you missed out on signing up for the AI Network, please sign up here and your name will be added to the mailing list.
Call for Volunteers for the CSLA Committee on Human Health and Well-Being
Are you interested in volunteering with the CSLA and joining colleagues for a national conversation about the role of landscape architecture in contributing to human health and well-being?
The CSLA is calling for volunteers to join the committee for a three year mandate, or members who would be willing to help support specific initiatives the committee is working on.
The Objectives of Committee are to:
- advocate for and build awareness of the relationship between landscape architecture and health;
- create and promote resources for members; and
- develop formal, long-lasting partnerships with allied professions.
The CSLA’s Nature Note is an example of a recent initiative led by current Committee members. Other topics currently being explored include: Aging and Design, Landscapes and Long-term Care, and Landscapes for Teenagers.
If you are interested, please send your CV to Hope Parnham, Manager of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives, at advocacy@csla-aapc.ca, and indicate how you would like to participate (committee or volunteer for specific initiatives). The Committee will review the applicants and will be in touch within 6-8 weeks.
Member News
In memoriam: Jack Walker
Edwin John Walker, affectionately known as Jack to all who knew and loved him, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 1, 2023, in Regina, SK at the age of 91 years.
Liat Margolis from the University of Toronto recognized as an Outstanding Administrator in the 2024 CELA Awards
The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) has announced its 2024 Annual Award Winners. This year, the CELA Awards Committee has identified thirteen awardees who exhibit excellence in teaching, research, creativity, and design innovation. The CELA awards serve to not only recognize these individuals, but also to inspire us, elevate our standards, and build this growing community of educators.
Liat Margolis is Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. She previously served as the Director of the Master of Landscape Architecture Program and the Associate Dean of Research for the Faculty. She is the founding Director of the Green Roof Innovation Testing Laboratory (GRIT Lab) – an interdisciplinary research initiative that brings together the fields of landscape architecture, biology, forestry, and engineering to evaluate and green infrastructure technologies and industry practices. She is also one of the co-founders of Nikibii Dwadina Giigwag, an Indigenous youth employment and mentorship program.
LACF News
Submit your application for the 2024 Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellowship
The Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellowship is intended to provide a practicing mid-career landscape architect, whose work and exploratory interests are in urban design, with funds for research or pursuing a specific area of inquiry over a five-to-six-month sabbatical.
The objective of the Fellowship is to provide an equal opportunity for research, gaining new perspectives, and “re-charging the battery” - something that is usually afforded to tenured university academics.
We are now accepting applications for the 2024 fellowship. Read more about the fellowship and how to apply below.
Deadline: May 2nd 2024, 4pm ET
Submit your application for the 2024 Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellowship
The Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellowship is intended to provide a practicing mid-career landscape architect, whose work and exploratory interests are in urban design, with funds for research or pursuing a specific area of inquiry over a five-to-six-month sabbatical.
The objective of the Fellowship is to provide an equal opportunity for research, gaining new perspectives, and “re-charging the battery” - something that is usually afforded to tenured university academics.
We are now accepting applications for the 2024 fellowship. Read more about the fellowship and how to apply below.
Deadline: May 2nd 2024, 4pm ET
Announcing the 2023 National and Regional Scholarship Recipients
LACF is proud to announce this year's scholarship recipients, including:
- Margot Kopache, recipient of the 2023 Frederick Gage Todd National Scholarship
- Announcing the recipient of the Peter Jacobs Indigenous Scholarship and the BC2 Indigenous Scholarship for 2023, Jordan Cantafio
- The 2023 LACF regional scholars
LACF believes that these students are our future leaders.
2023 LACF Scholars Recognition Event
Join us on February 7th 2024 from 11:30-1 pm ET via zoom to meet LACF's 2023 scholars.
Click the here to access the zoom meeting
Join us for our 2024 Annual Members' Meeting
Date: May 1, 2024
Time: 11 am ET
Location: by videoconference
LACF Members are invited to vote in the Annual Meeting. LACF Members include individuals, firms, or organizations that have donated $100 or more to LACF in the calendar year 2023. Firms and organizations have one vote at the Annual Meeting.
According to LACF bylaws, you may vote via proxy at the Annual Meeting of LACF Members by assigning your proxy to a Member who is attending the meeting.
LACF is Proud to Announce New Scholarships Funded by Maglin and Lemay
LACF would like to thank Maglin Site Furniture for committing $40,000 per year for the next five years to support eight new Maglin Scholarships in landscape architecture programs at the following schools:
- Dalhousie University
- Université de Montréal
- University of Toronto
- University of Guelph (BLA and MLA)
- University of Manitoba
- University of Calgary
- University of British Columbia
These $5,000 scholarships are awarded to one outstanding student studying landscape architecture each year, beginning in 2023. Applicants need to demonstrate excellence in their studies and are nominated by the Faculty.
Thank you to Maglin Site Furniture on behalf of the students of landscape architecture and LACF!
Lemay and LACF have also established a new scholarship of $2,000 per year for the next five years, beginning in 2023. The scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student of landscape architecture studying in an accredited landscape architecture program in Ontario. The scholarship will be awarded to the University of Toronto's MLA, then the University of Guelph's Guelph's BLA and MLA programs on a rotating basis. Applicants need to be outstanding students and are nominated by the Faculty.
Thank you to Lemay on behalf of Ontario's landscape architecture students and the LACF!.
Partner News
2024 RAIC Conference on Architecture
The RAIC 2024 Conference on Architecture is taking place May 14 to 18, 2024 in-person at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre in Vancouver, BC.
The program is tailored for professional and educational success and features high-quality learning opportunities that include interactive content, innovative ideas, and engaging discussions. Participants at all career phases will gain insights, inspiration, and ideas for practical application.
Other News
NCC Urban Design Challenge 2024: Student Ideas Competition for the National Capital Region
Students, this is your moment to shine! Unleash your creativity and share your visionary ideas for the Park District of LeBreton Flats. Located 1.5 km from Parliament Hill in the western downtown core of Canada’s capital city, this10-hectare site stretches from the Bayview LRT Station in the west to Nepean Inlet and the aqueduct in the east.
Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Collaborate through New Tree Planting Initiative
The Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announce that FCM’s Green Municipal Fund will contribute to Canada’s efforts to plant two billion trees through a new Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative, designed for communities across the country.
Catherine Berris: What about the trees in B.C. communities as density increases?
Opinion: New legislation will transform single-family neighbourhoods, but unless zoning regulations consider trees, the default is insufficient space to grow large, healthy trees.
Present at Azure’s Human/Nature Conference in November 2024
Azure want your proposal for an hour-long CEU accredited session at our in-person 2024 conference in Toronto, Canada! Sessions will address the intersection of design and climate change and aim for solution-oriented strategies for mitigation and resilience.
Wanted: Peer reviewers for the Green Municipal Fund
Do you have technical and financial expertise in innovative climate solutions related to adaptation, community efficiency financing, community building retrofits, or sustainable affordable housing? Do you want to help support progress in these sectors within Canadian municipalities?
The Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is adding experts to its roster of peer reviewers. As a peer reviewer, you will receive professional fees to evaluate funding applications submitted by Canadian municipalities, their partners and community non-profits. This is a unique opportunity to see what innovative communities are working on nationwide.
THE CALL FOR ENTRIES OF THE 17th EDITION of the GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards
The international GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards celebrate the excellence and talent of designers, offering them professional recognition and prestigious visibility.
Register before February 1st to benefit from the reduced rate. You will then have until April 1, 2024 to complete your registration.