CSLA News
MESSAGE FROM CSLA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MICHELLE LEGAULT
Dear Colleagues,
Here's wishing everyone a great start to the Fall season, and hoping that this time of year will not be characterized by the floods, the storms and the fires we have experienced of late. These weather events reinforce the importance of our profession in adapting and mitigating to these global changes.
Many of you know that I am not a landscape architect by training - my degrees are in history, and my work experience in public administration - but my 11 years working at with you has cultivated a deep conviction for the power of landscape architecture to make a better future for us all. Not only because of the type of work that you do, but HOW you do your work: with respect, with collaboration, with an astounding technical knowledge, and, most of all, a heaping dose of creativity. I see all those traits in the CSLA and LACF Boards of Directors, our committees, our task forces, and at our Congress.
Thank you for all that you do, and know that the Board and the staff of the CSLA: myself as Executive Director, Hope Parnham (Manager of Advocacy and Strategic Affairs), and Katherine Velluso (Communications Coordinator), are here to serve, and do all we can to advance this great profession.
Michelle Legault
CSLA is Calling for Nominations for the 2024 Governor General's Medal
The Governor General's Medal in Landscape Architecture (GGMLA) is the highest honor bestowed on a landscape architect by the CSLA.
The medal is intended to honor exceptional landscape architects whose lifetime achievements and contributions to the profession have had a unique and lasting impact on Canadian society.
Click the link below to read more about eligibility, assessment criteria, and how to submit your nomination.
Deadline: Thursday, February 1st, 2024 at 4 pm EDT
Check out the Highlights of the 2023-26 Strategic Plan
Read the full Strategic Plan here
Member News
In memoriam: David Tomlinson
We are saddened to announce the passing of David Tomlinson, on September 8, 2023.
In memoriam: Richard Moore
We are saddened to announce the passing of Richard (Rick) Moore, on August 5, 2023.
Studio Problématique: Teaching and learning optimism in landscape architecture studios across Canada
In 2022, nine professors at seven institutions participated in an experiment which brought together ninety-five participating students who collectively prepared designs for twenty-one different sites across the country. In light of all of the challenges Canadian communities currently face, the design studio was guided by a lens of optimism.
"... We overcame perceived geographical and time barriers through the online teaching tools we gained over the pandemic... The experiment [taught] us that optimism is found in framing perceptions, preparing for the worst yet hoping for the best, experiencing space with all five senses, finding great precedents, dreaming big, believing in partnerships, asking for help, demonstrating humility, and practicing what we preach."
- Heather Braiden, University of Montreal
Read more about the 2022 Studio Problématique
INTERVIEW WITH COLLEEN MERCER CLARKE
In the interview, Colleen Mercer Clarke talks to us about the challenges and opportunities that landscape architects are facing today.
Dr. Mercer Clarke is an interdisciplinary scientist and landscape architect specializing in advancing resilience through the delivery of useful science on climate change to communities, business and governments.
New book: Life & Legacy of a Volunteer: True Tales of Teamwork, Trials, and Triumphs leading to Real Change by Ken Hoyle
LIFE & LEGACY OF A VOLUNTEER provides ten tips for volunteer organizations and ten for volunteers based upon 20 real-life experiences over 60 years of a dedicated volunteer.
LACF News
Students! Get your applications in before the fall deadlines for LACF Scholarships and Grants
LACF will offer over $35,000 in scholarships and $5,000 in research grants to Canadian landscape architecture students in 2023-24. Ph.D. students are eligible for research grants valued up to $10,000 each.
Check out the attached poster to learn more about each scholarship/grant, including the eligibility criteria and the application deadlines.
New edition: 
Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture in Canada (Third edition)
By James Taylor
An updated 3rd edition of this book documents the practice of the profession of landscape architecture in Canada. This book is a must for:
- students in landscape architecture
- candidates for the LARE
- landscape architects in practice
Thanks to the generosity of James Taylor, all profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation.
Partner News
We’re supporting the RAIC Congress on Architecture 2023!
The RAIC Congress on Architecture is back for 2023 and is happening in-person for the first time on October 2-3 in Whistler, BC. We’re proud to be supporting this event as a sponsor/exhibitor.
You can join this special gathering that takes place in recognition of World Architecture Day (the first Monday of October) and is focused on the theme of Climate Action and Architecture. The events are as follows:
- RAIC Congress on Architecture | October 2, 2023, 9:00am - 4:30pm, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
- RAIC Congress World Architecture Day Reception | October 2, 2023, 6:30pm – 10:00pm, Audain Art Museum
- Low Carbon Education Workshop | October 3, 2023, 9:00am - 4:30pm, Fairmont Chateau Whistler
For full details About Congress 2023, please see the Congress website. Space is limited in these events - register today!
IFLA World Congress 2023 is just a month away!
Emergent Interaction is a call to action: Bolder problem-solving designs are needed in the future as many habitats face increasingly dire effects of climate change, social inequality and biodiversity loss.
The IFLA World Congress offers a unique platform for borderless collaboration — to empower our professions’ range of competencies, novel approaches and potential to help address these urgent issues – globally and locally.
Last day to register is September 14.
Other News
5th Urban Economy Forum + 59th ISOCARP World Planning Congress
You are invited this 10-13 October in Toronto to explore and discuss opportunities to support Climate-responsive Planning for Equitable Places & Communities.
CSLA members can use this discount code (CSLA25) to get 25% off registration fees.