Pathfinder is a web-based application allows registered users to estimate the carbon footprint and time to carbon neutral for landscape projects based on site design and management. It may be used for projects in the design phase or already completed projects. The only required inputs are project type, site boundaries, and percentage of impervious and pervious surface; however, supplying more information will result in a more accurate estimate. Users enter project type, define site boundaries, and supply the site’s percentage of pervious and impervious surface. Users may then enter detailed information about their project regarding materials and site features like paving; walls, curbs, and headers; fences and gates; site elements; drainage and irrigation; subsurface elements, and mulch and soil. Users may then enter information on carbon sinks including wetlands, trees, lawn, and shrubs. Finally, users may enter information on maintenance including gas- and electric-powered equipment and fertilizer. The output is the Climate Positive Design Scorecard, which includes estimated years to carbon neutral for the project, amount of carbon sequestered and net impact over time up to 100 years, and embodied carbon profile. The site also provides design suggestions to help designers reduce the carbon footprint in the design phase.
CSLA Resource Library
Welcome to the CSLA Resource Library! Explore a wide range of landscape architecture-related research, reports, tools, videos and more—searchable by keyword, topic or type.
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Pathfinder Methodology Report
2024 – White Paper

Climate Positive Design
Pathfinder is a web-based application allows registered users to estimate the carbon footprint and time to carbon neutral for landscape projects based on site design and management. All you need to know about the metrics behind the tool, Pathfinder, how it works, further research needed, and how the Climate Positive Design Challenge was established.
Pathfinder User Guide
2024 – White Paper

Climate Positive Design
Pathfinder is a web-based application allows registered users to estimate the carbon footprint and time to carbon neutral for landscape projects based on site design and management. This is your guide to: Understand how to meet the Climate Positive Design Challenge, Learn about related tools and suggested use, and Explore each step and feature in Pathfinder 3.0.
PATHWAYS TO RECONCILIATION: Cities respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
2016 – White Paper

FCM
Cities respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. This guide captures the journey on the pathways to reconciliation. It is a tool meant to help share, sustain and grow our efforts. Reconciliation is truly a national process that will require tremendous efforts by all Canadians―and across all orders of government.
Playbook for the Pyrocene
2019 – Tool

SWA
Historically, wildfire planning has been largely focused on two scales: site-scale solutions to hardening houses and yards, and large-scale, macro shifts in fire regimes. In response, “Playbook for the Pyrocene” focuses on community-scale solutions, synthesizing concepts from a range of related disciplines including ecology, fire science, forestry, land use planning, emergency management, and indigenous stewardship. Among the book’s findings are six broad guidelines and 20 applied strategies to reduce wildfire risk at a community scale—presented in an illustrated guide intended for a broad audience without specialized expertise. An additional appendix serves as a more comprehensive repository of topical resources, guidelines, best practices, and empirical research related to each strategy.
Practice Guide for Advancing Climate Equity in Coastal Climate Change Adaptation
2024 – White Paper

NRCan
Climate equity is an approach that applies an equity framework to how we experience, understand, and respond to climate change. It ensures the equitable distribution of climate protection efforts and reduces the unequal burdens created by climate change. The Practical Guide to Promoting Climate Equity in Coastal Climate Change Adaptation is a tool developed by the SHIFT Collaborative for Natural Resources Canada's Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CCRC) Program to support practitioners in developing more inclusive and equitable climate projects. Craig, K., Klein, K. & Aixin, L. (2024). Practical guide to promoting climate equity in coastal climate change adaptation. 46.
Resilient, Transformative and Sustainable: A Positive Approach to a Changing Future
2016 – Position Paper

CSLA/AAPC
The CSLA believes that by working across environmental and cultural systems, landscape architects are uniquely positioned to engage professions, industries and governments in new alliances better equipped to innovatively address complex social and ecological problems and to fully express the opportunities inherent in principles of equity, sustainability, resiliency and democracy.
Scaling Up Our Carbon Conscience
2023 – Webinar

LAF
To help address the climate crisis, Christopher developed the Carbon Conscience tool, which can be used by designers, planners, municipalities, and others to create spaces with reduced carbon impacts in mind. The tool builds on previous research as part of an effort to produce verifiable information that can be used in project planning and design phases to show how landscapes, architecture, and planning can work together toward a sustainable future. Presented at the Landscape Architecture Foundation's Innovation + Leadership Symposium on June 15, 2023.
Smart Policies for a Changing Climate
2017 – White Paper

ASLA
Climate change is intensifying the negative impacts of standard development practices and putting people and communities at risk. We need a new paradigm for building and enhancing communities that works in tandem with natural systems and considers the needs of all. To meet that goal, ASLA’s interdisciplinary Blue Ribbon Panel on Climate Change and Resilience identified the following core principles, key planning and design strategies, and public policies that will promote healthy, climate-smart, and resilient communities.
Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada
2010 – Tool

Canada's Historic Places
The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada is the first-ever pan-Canadian benchmark for heritage conservation practice in this country. It offers results-oriented guidance for sound decision-making when planning for, intervening on and using historic places. This document establishes a consistent, pan-Canadian set of conservation principles and guidelines that will be useful to anyone with an interest in conserving Canada's historic places.
The adaptation primers* Primer 1: Canada's Changing Climate
2018 – White Paper

CSLA/AAPC
The Adaptation Primers are just that – introductory books that provide basic information on the most complex challenge facing decision-makers in this first half of the 21st century. Primer One summarizes current science on climate change, and what it means for Canada.
The adaptation primers* Primer 2: Preparing for Change
2018 – White Paper

CSLA/AAPC
The Adaptation Primers are just that – introductory books that provide basic information on the most complex challenge facing decision-makers in this first half of the 21st century. Primer Two focuses on framing policy and planning approaches to mitigation and adaptation with special emphasis on building resilience, designing for positive transformation, and ensuring sustainability in ecosystems and societies.