CSLA Resource Library

Eco v6 is a model that uses tree measurements and other data to estimate ecosystem services and structural characteristics of the urban or rural forest. Eco is a complete package that provides: Sampling and data collection protocols - For plot-based sample projects, total population estimates and standard error of estimates are calculated based on sampling protocols. For complete inventories, eco calculates values for each tree. Flexible data collection options – Use the mobile data collection system with web-enabled smartphones, tablets or traditional paper sheets. Automated processing - A central computing engine that makes estimates of the forest effects based on peer-reviewed scientific equations to predict environmental and economic benefits. Reports - Summary reports that include charts, tables and a written report.

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. 

Our world is grappling with complex challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and socioeconomic inequality. Those that plan, design, and engineering our communities and ecosystems have a pivotal role in shaping solutions that promote future resilience. In this webinar, internationally recognized landscape architect Pamela Conrad will share insights into addressing these crises through tangible approaches. She will introduce Pathfinder 3.0, Climate Positive Design Toolkit strategies, and highlight project examples emphasizing Nature-based Solutions. This session offers tools and guidance for integrating ecological, social, and economic benefits into projects while contributing to global efforts to combat climate and biodiversity challenges.

How do we halve the emissions of the built environment this decade?  How can landscape architects, architects, planners and engineers be agents of mitigation and systems change?  Kelly Alvarez Doran speaks to the unique agency and advocacy landscape architects and designers have to address the challenges we face, sharing recent work focused on low-carbon, climate adaptive design approaches to landscape and public infrastructure.

Joanna Eyquem discusses progress and examples of efforts to mainstream consideration of nature-based solutions, ranging from strategic approaches and technical guidance, to integration in municipal management and financial reporting.

Covering every Canadian treaty from 1763 to the present, the Yellowhead Institute's Treaty Map aims to challenge the commonly held view of treaties as land surrenders and offers a comprehensive, interactive learning and teaching tool, grounded in Indigenous perspectives of treaties.

Use this interactive web map to find nurseries and stores specializing in native plants across Canada. This web map is created and maintained by Network of Nature developers and volunteers. This map was last updated to the best of our abilities in early 2024. 

Canada’s current provincial and national risk assessment frameworks focus predominantly on the built environment and infrastructure, neglecting the more extensive social-ecological system. This narrow focus fails to capture the full extent of climate risks or contexts, particularly those affecting Indigenous communities, and excludes the social and political structures that compound risk within Indigenous communities. While Canada is grappling with applying a standard risk assessment framework, Indigenous communities, nationally and globally, are deeply concerned that such limited understandings of “risk” could contribute to neglecting climate impacts within the larger ecosystems. 

The goal of these guidelines is to make it easier for landscape architects to more effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions from project design and construction. Sections cover seven key design principles and 18 areas of specification. These guidelines are written for landscape architects and designers, specifiers, contractors, manufacturers, and leaders in our discipline and industry who want to cut emissions and increase carbon sequestration faster. They are thematic and condensed to provide a “CliffsNotes” overview of best practices.

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.

This guide offers a phase-by-phase structure to decarbonize design through big ideas, strategies, and best practices. It is high-level, offering approaches that can be implemented regardless of project type, scope, and scale. The guide offers decarbonization opportunities for: Project kickoff, Schematic design, Design development, Construction documents, Construction administration, Operations and maintenance 

"Landscape architects need to better understand how local and state governments and developers calculate economic benefits and make go or no-go decisions on projects. This guide will help ASLA members: Understand the economic and financial context in which public and private clients operate; Become familiar with basic economic language and better communicate with clients about economic benefits; Show the benefits of using nature-based solutions in different types and sizes of projects"