CSLA News
Robert N. Allsopp Receives the 2026 Governor General's Medal
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) is pleased to announce that Robert N. Allsopp will receive the Governor General’s Medal in Landscape Architecture. The Governor General’s Medal in Landscape Architecture (GGMLA) is the highest honour bestowed on a landscape architect by the CSLA.
According to the jury:
"Robert Allsopp’s contribution is exceptional in its depth, duration, breadth, and lasting influence.
He has helped shape important Canadian landscapes, expanded the boundaries of professional practice, strengthened the role of landscape architecture within the wider design professions, and influenced generations of practitioners and educators."
Our New Look
CSLA is debuting a new visual identity this fall, bringing a fresh look to the organization's logo and branding while staying connected to its established image. The updated logo retains the familiar CSLA icon, paired with a new typeface and brand elements that create a more consistent and contemporary look across our communications. Keep an eye out as we continue to roll it out over the coming weeks.
Calls for Submissions: 2027 Awards of Excellence
Submissions for the 2027 Awards of Excellence are now being accepted! The CSLA's Awards of Excellence recognize and promote excellence and communicate a strong awareness of the profession of landscape architecture to related professions, potential clients, and the general public.
Deadline: Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 4 pm ET
Read the full submission guidelines for information about eligibility, assessment, and how to apply.
CSLA's New Mailing Address
The CSLA has an updated mailing address and all mail can now be addressed to:
6324 145A Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta
T6H 4H9
Action Required: Contact Update for executive-director@csla-aapc.ca
In September we welcomed Megan Andre as CSLA's new Executive Director. Megan is reachable at executive-director@csla-aapc.ca. We recommend that you update the name associated with this email address in your email client to avoid confusion going forward.
- If you are using Gmail: Go to Google Contacts by clicking the contact icon from the right side panel in Gmail, search for executive-director@csla-aapc.ca (or Michelle Legault), click the Edit (pencil) icon, update the first and last name fields to Megan Andre, then click Save.
- If you are using Outlook in a web browser: Click the People icon (two silhouettes) on the left-side navigation panel, find the contact executive-director@csla-aapc.ca (or Michelle Legault) and double-click it, click the Edit button on the ribbon or card, update the First Name and Last Name fields to Megan Andre, then click Save.
If you are using Outlook from your desktop: Select the People / Contacts tab in the bottom-left or left navigation menu, Locate the contact executive-director@csla-aapc.ca (or Michelle Legault) and double-click to open the contact card, locate the Full Name field or click the Full Name... button, find the Display as field and update it to Megan Andre, then click Save & Close in the top-left corner.
If you are still seeing an outdated name after completing these steps, you should try clearing your browser's cache as a final step.
landADAPT Online Course: Participate in a Live Discussion
The self-paced landADAPT online course is now available! How to register for the course:
- Visit the Climate Risk Institute's Moodle platform to register or log in.
- Select the course: landADAPT (English) or ADAPTerre (French).
- Enroll.
Finish the course and receive a certificate for your continuing education requirements.
Join us for a live virtual discussion discussion on October 27 to reflect on your learning!
KEEP Program: Meet the Mentors
Looking for a mentor? Are you a Fellow interested in mentoring? KEEP is an informal mentorship program that aims to pair students, associates (interns), emerging practitioners, and mid-career professionals with Fellows.
Visit the page below to find out how to participate.
Strategic Missions & Advocacy
Landscape Architects at Adaptation Canada 2026
Landscape architects were well represented across the program at Adaptation Canada in Toronto last month (Sept 19-22). Hope Parnham, CSLA Manager of Advocacy and Strategic Affairs, joined two panels: one with members of the NRCan Adaptation Skills Working Group on building adaptation capacity, and one with an Atlantic Canadian team on interdisciplinary practice and the role of landscape architects in adaptation. Todd Fell (OALA, CERP) presented on biodiversity for resilience. Dr. Kearney Coupland (OALA, University of Guelph) took part in two panels, one on managed retreat and one on adaptation in the North. Dr. Douglas Robb (SAPL, University of Calgary) spoke about the power of storytelling. The landADAPT program was also featured in two poster presentations, one on professional development training and one presented by Sabrina Careri (MLA) on the case study series showcasing landscape architecture projects from across the country demonstrating adaptation in action.
The CSLA would like to congratulate ICLEI Canada for a successful event that supported collaboration and learning opportunities for everyone. Conferences like this are a valuable chance to connect in person, and the week was full of conversations that will carry forward into the work of the CSLA as we continue to make the case for leading with landscape in climate adaptation.
Supporting a stronger Canadian supply chain: CANspec
Across Canada's construction industry, the people who design, specify, build, and procure share a common frustration: the hardest part of sourcing a building product is often simply finding it. The market is full of capable Canadian manufacturers, suppliers, and fabricators—but until now there has been no single, structured way to search them by what their products actually are and do.
CANspec was built to close that gap.
CANspec was developed in collaboration with, and funded in part by, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC).
Member News
CSLA Fellow Appointed to CLARB Volunteer Leadership
Brad Smith, OALA, FCSLA, ASLA, was appointed to the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) board of directors and committees at its recent annual meeting. As Director-at-Large, he will bring more than 20 years of experience across practice, education and industry leadership.
Partner News
Hiring landscape architects? Post your vacancies free on IFLAHUB
IFLAHUB is expanding its Jobs Platform to create a dedicated global career hub for the landscape architecture profession. As part of this initial launch phase, the first 20 job postings submitted by 1 November 2026 will be published free of charge.
Whether you are looking for experienced project leads or promising new graduates, IFLAHUB helps connect your practice with candidates specifically within the landscape architecture profession.
Posting takes just a couple of minutes. A step-by-step guide on how to post a job opportunity on IFLAHUB is available here.
Host an LAF Ignite intern
The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) is inviting firms and organizations to host a paid summer internship through LAF Ignite, its multi-year scholarship, internship and mentorship program for Black and Indigenous landscape architecture students. Although not stated on the website, the CSLA has confirmed with LAF that Canadian firms are eligible to apply as internship providers, and students of Canadian Universities are eligible to apply to the program.
For firms and organizations
Ignite internships run 10 to 12 weeks, starting in May or June. Hosts must pay a living wage, offer meaningful work with broad exposure to their practice, and show a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through concrete actions such as policies, training or initiatives. LAF welcomes hosts from private practice, government, non-profits, parks and gardens, community organizations and industry. Students interview with hosts in January and February, and placements are confirmed by March.
Applications for Summer 2027 are due November 9.
The State of Canada's Cities Summit 2026
November 13, 2026
Each December, the Canadian Urban Institute brings together hundreds of urban professionals, policymakers, business leaders, community advocates, and academics at the State of Canada’s Cities Summit to assess the health of our cities and shape their future.
Call for Abstracts: Coastal Zone Canada 2027
Abstract submissions are now open for Coastal Zone Canada 2027, hosted at the University of Waterloo, June 11–14, 2027.
Under the conference theme Coastal Futures: Bridging Tradition and Technology, we invite submissions for:
- Research presentations
- Posters
- Performance or art displays
Deadline: November 1, 2026