CSLA News
Message from Michelle Legault, Executive Director
Dear Colleagues,
As we look ahead with purpose and optimism, I am pleased to share several important milestones for the CSLA in recent months. First, the Succession Task Force is busy seeking an Executive Director. We have also begun early planning for our 100th anniversary in 2034—a significant moment that will celebrate a century of leadership, advocacy, and design excellence in landscape architecture across Canada. This milestone offers an opportunity not only to reflect on our legacy, but to shape an ambitious and inclusive vision for the future of the profession. We were delighted to announce the 2026 College of Fellows and Awards of Excellence recipients. These individuals and projects represent the very best of our profession—demonstrating innovation, environmental stewardship, and meaningful contributions to communities nationwide. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the CSLA-APALA Congress in Halifax. landADAPT continues to thrive, with the release of the online climate course and the final educational webinars funded by NRCAN.
I also encourage you to join us at the 2026 CSLA–APALA Congress in Halifax. This year’s Congress promises to be an engaging platform for professional development, offering diverse sessions, inspiring speakers, and valuable networking opportunities with colleagues from across the country. Halifax itself provides a vibrant and historic setting—an ideal backdrop for both learning and connection.
Recipients of the 2026 Awards of Excellence
This year, 12 projects received a national award. The Landscape Carbon Benchmarking Study (City of Toronto) by DTAH was selected to receive the Jury’s Award of Excellence, which is given to one project annually which best demonstrates the CSLA’s vision — that of advancing the art, science, and practice of landscape architecture.
"These award-winning projects reflect current trends and challenges, while showcasing the strength of landscape architects in creating great places. Check out where we are as a profession and how we are creating positive impacts in today’s world."
-Carol Craig, Jury Chair
2026 Class of Fellows
The CSLA College of Fellows will welcome thirteen new members during the Investiture Ceremony to be held at the 2026 CSLA-APALA Congress in Halifax in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession.
Induction to the College of Fellows is the highest honour the CSLA bestows on its members. A jury of eight Fellows, representing regions across Canada, selected the new Fellows based on extensive submissions documenting each candidate’s contributions to the profession.
This is the Time for Landscape Architecture: 2026-2028 Strategic Plan
The CSLA's 2026-2028 Strategic Plan was approved at the AGM held on April 23, 2026.
"Global challenges — climate change, biodiversity loss, public health, urbanization, and social inequity—are interconnected and require interdisciplinary, design-based solutions. Landscape architects are uniquely positioned to lead this work.
The CSLA, in collaboration with its nine component associations, will strengthen the profession through advocacy, knowledge, governance, and tools that enable landscape architects to respond effectively and creatively to these challenges."
Sophie Beaudoin Elected CSLA President Elect
The CSLA is pleased to announce that Sophie Beaudoin has been elected by acclamation to the position of CSLA president-elect.
Explore Halifax at the 2026 CSLA-APALA Congress in June
It's not too late to register for the CSLA-APALA Congress from June 4-6, 2026 in Halifax. Explore Halifax by boat, bus, bike, and on foot with our selection of tours being offered this year at congress.
Learn more about congress programming and tours.
Message about IFLA Governance from Claude Potvin,, CSLA's IFLA delegate
"I am pleased to introduce the new IFLA Constitution and By-Laws which were approved at the online March 2026 World Council meeting. This follows a major corporate governance review, initiated in 2023 by the Corporate Governance Review Working Group. Following extensive consultation and feedback, the proposed governance model and constitution have been revised. As CSLA delegate to IFLA, I had the opportunity to participate in consultations on this subject. The enclosed letter from IFLA President, Bruno Marques, summarizes what has been adopted and outlines following steps. I am convinced that the new governance structure will significantly improve IFLA’s responsiveness, and efficiency in the context of our evolving profession and in the midst of global change."
All landADAPT Webinar Recordings Now Available
Thank you to all those who attended one or more events in the landADAPT webinar series, which ran between December 2024 and April 2026. Recordings of all 12 webinars are now available on the CSLA website, on YouTube and in the CSLA Resource Library. Catch up on the webinars you may have missed or share with colleagues who may be interested!
Landscapes | Paysages Spring 2026: Kinship
"For Indigenous peoples, the relationship between all beings is seen best through the lens of kinship – an interdependent and reciprocal familial relationship in which the building of life is the ultimate goal. ...Our hope for this issue was that we would inspire discussions how artistic expression, landscape design and creativity, and innovation could be drawn from relationships found in kinship with the earth."
– Niigaan Sinclair + Bob Somers, Guest Editors
Member News
In memoriam: Julie Mulligan
We saddened to announce the passing of Julie Mulligan on April 13, 2026.
Sheila Boudreau's Green Cities: How Green Infrastructure Helps Urban Centers Thrive
Sheila Boudreau's book for children on the importance of nature in cities was recently published by Owlkids Books and is for sale in Canada and internationally - in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Korea.
"I wanted to share inspiring stories about examples of great work around the world, and how youth can start to envision themselves as being part of this journey now and into the future."
LACF News
Upcoming Deadlines:
Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellowship: June 11, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET
2025 Annual Report
"Through the incredible hard work of our staff and our board, I am pleased to report to the membership that the business of LACF has continued to advance and grow this mission in 2025."
- Christine Abe, LACF President
Summary of the Decisions of the March 2026 LACF Board Meeting
- A Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Beverly A. Sanadalack Scholarship was approved.
- The Audited Financial Statements for 2025 were approved.
- A 2026-2030 Fundraising Strategy was approved.
Inaugural Beverly A. Sandalack Scholarship in Landscape Architecture to be Awarded in 2026
In collaboration with the LACF, University of Calgary Professor Beverly A. Sandalack has established the Beverly A. Sandalack Scholarship in Landscape Architecture. This scholarship, valued at $5,000 yearly, commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Master of Landscape Architecture Program at the University of Calgary and will be awarded to a student studying in this program.
"This award is intended to support students in the MLA program while acknowledging and encouraging excellence in scholarship and design. The program, now ten years old, and the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape are where I have spent much of my professional life, and establishing this scholarship allows me to give back and to support the next generation of leaders in landscape architecture."
- Dr. Beverly Sandalack
Partner news
AAPQ's 2026 PAYSAGES Magazine Released
Exploring the Links Between Landscape and the Economy
The Association des architectes paysagistes du Québec (AAPQ) is proud to announce the release of the 2026 edition of its annual magazine PAYSAGES, which this year is dedicated to the theme “Landscape and the Economy.” After addressing the ecological transition in 2023 and social issues in 2024, and following an anniversary edition in 2025 highlighting 60 years of the profession’s evolution, this new edition explores the close relationship between landscape and economy: how economic dynamics shape landscapes, and how, in turn, landscapes influence the choices, uses, and development trajectories of territories.
Continuing Education Opportunities from Envision Canada
Envision Canada would like to thank everyone who participated in their webinar on May 13 which introduced the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework and explored its application to landscape architecture projects. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please review the following opportunities:
- Upcoming ENV SP Credential Training (June 15–16, virtual)
This training is the ISI endorsed content that helps guide and equip professionals with the core knowledge required to use the Envision framework as a tool to improve the sustainability performance of infrastructure projects. This course will prepare you to take the self-paced online ISI exam to earn your ENV SP credential. - Municipal Procurement Workshop for Sustainable & Resilient Capital Project Delivery
This upcoming fall workshop, developed through the AssetAdapt+ initiative, will explore the integration of industry tools - such as the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework (Envision) and the Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee (PIEVC) Protocol – in capital project procurement documents to support sustainability, climate resilience, and equity outcomes. Sign up to receive more information once available.
2026 LAF Olmsted Scholars from Canadian Universities
The LAF Olmsted Scholars Program is a leadership recognition program for landscape architecture students recognizing one outstanding student from each accredited landscape architecture program in the U.S. and Canada. The CSLA congratulates this year's recipients from Canadian univeristies:
- Akum Emeka-Maduka, University of Manitoba
- Lara Kurosky, University of Toronto
- Stephen McCausland, University of Calgary
- Maëlis Sankou, University of Montreal
- Ramtin Shafaghati, University of Guelph
- Kevin Wong, University of British Columbia
- Emily Pham, University of Guelph
Call for Submissions: Éclos Capsule Collection
DesignTO and Cosentino are inviting Canadian designers to submit proposals for the 2026 Éclos Capsule Collection. Selected designs will be fabricated, professionally photographed, and exhibited inCanada and the U.S., offering a rare opportunity to bring new work to life. Selected designers receive a $1,000 CAD artist fee and showcases.
Deadline: May 22, 2026