Strategic Plan Report Card

What we will do: In conjunction with component associations, determine how to best support the advocacy, promotion and component member services. The CSLA to work closely with all components on supportive partnerships to advance their advocacy interests and be responsive to component associations whose professional governance may changes in their province or territory.

How we will do it: The CSLA will work in conjunction with the component association to evaluate the need for additional member services at a provincial level, and how they might best be delivered. This includes supporting regional or provincial issues, developing resources, providing staff, and building a strong national/provincial dialogue through our boards and committees. What our success will look like: Advocacy initiatives successfully maintained in jurisdictions with a modified governance model, integrated into CSLA systems but with regionality preserved, and the ability to provide resources which can be applied by other component associations.

Deadline: Dependent on adoption of professional governance acts in the provinces.

Update

• Leadership Group has been dedicated to addressing common challenges, such as policy development, staffing and member services.
• CSLA Board of Directors training plan was put in place, and the training was offered to all component associations and LACF, with ongoing targeted training, such as financial literacy training.
• CSLA enhanced the funding available in the Component Grant Program, and changed the program to allow for year-round applications, and widened the project eligibility criteria. Three applications received in 2023-2024.
• CSLA, LACF and component associations are collaborating on the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan through a new representative committee model.
• CSLA submitted a response letter to the BC Housing Policy Manual calling upon the BC Government to remove the statement in the report discouraging the involvement of qualified landscape architects, and to acknowledge the significant contributions of landscape architects in meeting several goals of the report.
• Michelle Legault, CSLA Executive Director, gave a business continuity planning workshop to component staff and leaders in September 2024, and supported the development of preparedness plans.
• CSLA funding was put in place to allow the CSLA Staff to travel to component events and support their governance, communications, and other initiatives.
• A SMART Goals Guide was developed for CSLA, LACF and the components.
• The CSLA has developed new resources to help component members with high school student recruitment opportunities including a “What is Landscape Architecture?” handout and a short video on adaptation related case study projects from across the country.
• CSLA assisted APALA with drafting various letters.
   

What we will do: Manage the CSLA’s resources in such a way as to minimize the society’s environmental footprint and increase our social footprint through strong governance and action on improving the ESG outcomes of our operations. The CSLA will establish an action plan with a goal of becoming carbon neutral, while developing a business model which can be voluntarily applied by landscape architects and their firms.

How we will do it: The CSLA will calculate, track and monitor its carbon footprint and develop strategies to become carbon neutral. What our success will look like: The CSLA will be carbon neutral, and have accompanying corporate policies in place.

Deadline: end of 2026

Update

• Climate Smart was hired, and staff were trained on how to collect information and report on a GHG inventory.
• Accounting for the 2022 GHG inventory was completed.
• CSLA changed reporting systems to be able to collect information seamlessly going forward.
• LP magazine has committed to switching to a recycled paper to significantly reduce the emissions associated with the magazine production.
• Accounting for the 2023 GHG inventory was completed, and improvements were brought to CSLA systems to streamline future inventories.
• CSLA developed a new website to provide resources for GHG reduction strategies for members, firms and component associations.
• LP magazine issued with Decarbonize Design theme. CSLA included an article on strategies for reducing emissions for businesses and organizations.

What we will do: To enhance the capacity of the CSLA we will increase our staff resources to enhance the work of our committees, increase our professional visibility at all levels, and to research and address issues directly related to the practice.

How we will do it: The CSLA will raise dues incrementally and review its operations budget to bring on additional staff/consultants as required.

What our success will look like: A full-time Manager of Advocacy/National Affairs in place by the beginning of 2023 to lead our issues-based advocacy initiatives, research, and political engagement activities.

Deadline: First quarter of 2023

Update

• Hope Parnham was hired as the Manager of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives in May 2023.
• Katherine Velluso hired as Officer, Awards and Honors in May 2024.
• Incremental dues and long-term budget plan in place to support new positions.
• Rebecca Riordon was hired as Communications Coordinator and Special Project Administrator in a 2-year contract position supported by funding under the NRCan LandADAPT program.

What we will do: Support education and the landscape architects of the future to ensure they are equipped with the tools to face the challenges of the profession. The CSLA will foster closer and mutually beneficial working relationships with the schools of landscape architecture, educators, academics, and students.

How we will do it: The CSLA will encourage student participation in CSLA activities to nurture a lifelong relationship between our future professionals and the association, develop a system to engage in regular dialogue with academics and the program’s administration, highlight the profession’s research ingenuity, its relationship to the practice, investigate practice-related research and contribute to attracting diverse students into the programs. The CSLA will also review its accreditation standards to ensure that they align with the practice.

What our success will look like: Greater diversity in Canada’s landscape architecture programs, enhanced relationship with greater collaboration between the schools, students and the CSLA, collaboration on research and communications related to landscape architecture, and a manual of accreditation standards which reflects the requirements of a relevant, ever-changing practice.

Deadline: Accreditation standard review: by end of 2023, other initiatives by 2026.

Update

• In June, 2023, the CSLA organized the Intersections Summit in Regina. This event brought together educators, practitioners, and students to deliberate on the CSLA’s key mission areas including Climate Adaptation, Reconciliation, and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI). The Summit fostered meaningful dialogue and spurred the creation of a community of practice committed to advancing these vital areas in landscape architecture practice, research, and education.
• CSLA committed funds and hired Stephanie Landregan to work with the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council and update the Manual of Accreditation Standards. A national consultation was held, and the standards were workshopped at the Intersections Task Force. The revised LAAC Manual of Accreditation Standards was released in October 2023.
• Intersections Task Force was established in November 2023 by the CSLA Board and its first meeting held in April 2024.
• A program of school visits by CSLA and LACF Board members was established and funded by the CSLA Board. These visits have now become a regular, scheduled activity of the CSLA.
• The CSLA conducted a survey of the members of the Intersections Task Force to identify key topics of interest for discussion and collaboration, and the preferred means for communications for the group. There is interest in planning another in person event.
• The CSLA is working to identify research partners to support initiatives related to the CSLA mission areas.
• A letter of support for the establishment of a BLA Program at Fanshawe College was approved in November 2024.

What we will do: The CSLA will operationalize the national Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, which, along with the LACF and all provincial, territorial and regional component associations, address awareness, education, resources and actions. The JEDI Operational Plan also supports the CSLA’s goals for reconciliation, and the actions called for in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

How we will do it: The CSLA, along with the LACF and component associations, will operationalize the JEDI Action Plan, with a focus on raising professional awareness, outreach to external stakeholders, focused community inclusion, on being accountable and collecting data, on building equitable practices, and on creating tools and offering training. The Reconciliation Advisory Committee will renew the Reconciliation Action Plan.

What our success will look like: The CSLA will feature tools and resources coordinated by a JEDI Committee and the Reconciliation Advisory Committee, yearly data and statistics allowing for monitoring of the profession, spaces for open communication and discussion on equity issues and established systems and policies to ensure a JEDI lens for all our professional associations.

Deadline: By end of 2025, and ongoing

Update

• A national committee was formed with representatives from CSLA, LACF and each component association.
• Several component associations formed justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion committees, working groups and task forces to address the issue on a provincial, territorial, and regional level.
• A national demographic survey was undertaken.
• CSLA, LACF and component associations have begun working on updated privacy policies.
• CSLA, LACF and component associations have begun collaborating on reviewing the codes of ethics used in our professional associations.
• A Guide to Land Acknowledgements was released, and its use formalized: https://www.csla-aapc.ca/mission-areas/csla-guide-land-acknowledgements
• An updated Reconciliation Advisory Committee action plan was approved by the CSLA Board of Directors.
• A logo was developed to brand justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the CSLA.
• In 2023, Candace Wasacase-Lafferty was awarded CSLA Honourary Membership: https://www.csla-aapc.ca/members/honorary-members
• CSLA Board of Directors Adopted the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a Framework for Action and Decision-Making: https://www.csla-aapc.ca/mission-areas/csla-adopts-undrip
• Recognition days were integrated into the CSLA Communications Strategy.
• A SMART Goals Guide was developed, and a motion approved by the Board to use SMART goals in all aspects of its operations, whenever possible.
• A series of Reconciliation Training workshops were offered to delegates at the 2024 CSLA-MALA Congress.
• ‘Courageous Conversation’, a series of workshop supporting conversations in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion were launched t the 2024 CSLA-MALA Congress, with rollouts throughout the year given virtually.

What we will do: With the celebration of the 90th anniversary of our founding, the CSLA will demonstrate the impact of the profession, both from a historic and future perspective, and show pride in our profession's accomplishments.

How we will do it: The CSLA will operationalize the 90th Anniversary Action Plan, which includes the themes of celebrating the past, reflecting on our role, and imagining the future, culminating in celebrations at the 2024 CSLA-MALA Congress in Winnipeg.

What our success will look like: Our success factors will include updated, interactive historic information on the CSLA, landscape architects approved as People of National Historic Significance, development of a database of significant cultural landscapes, and the celebration of contemporary landscape architects of the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s, with tools, experiences and events to highlight the impact and the scope of the profession.

Deadline: 2024

Update

• A 90th anniversary logo was approved and released.
• Launch of a historic timeline on the CSLA website.
• 2024 CSLA-MALA Congress themed on the origins of the profession and its future.
• CSLA-Board subsidized gala tickets at the 2024 CSLA-MALA Congress.
• Commemorative issue of LP magazine.
• Congress panel exploring the future of the profession.
• Series of videos on the history of the profession by Ron Williams produced and released.
• Linda LeGeyt’s Portraits of a Profession oral history interviews digitized and featured on CSLA website.

What we will do: The CSLA will implement the approved committee action plans, including (which include research, white papers, position papers, tool kits and other resources).

How we will do it: With the hiring of a Manager of Advocacy/National Affairs (see Strategic Priority #1.3) and delegating timely work to contractors, the CSLA will be on removing the burden of ‘producing’ tools and resources from our volunteers and engaging our volunteers in an advisory capacity. The CSLA will also build systems for ad hoc/advisory “scrums” and communities of practice to engage members with timely issues and provide CSLA with subject-matter expertise when responding to government briefs, roundtables and consultations.

What our success will look like: The CSLA will feature an array of pertinent, timely and concise tools and resources in each of our mission areas which will advance the issues related to the profession, and communities of practice where members have the opportunity to engage with, inform on and contribute to issues.

Deadline: 2026

Update

• A Guide to Land Acknowledgements was developed.
• CSLA addressed the issue of Ontario Place re-development in a letter to the Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
• CSLA provided support for The Niagara Foundation's position on the proposed redevelopment of the Rand Estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake by way of a letter to the Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister.
• CSLA provided support for the restoration of Centennial Garden in Ottawa's Rockcliffe Park.
• Launched a cultural landscapes collection.
• CSLA published “The Power of Mental Health and Well Being”, a white paper on how landscape architects impact public health through the stewardship of nature and the design of the built environment.
• CSLA commissioned a report on the State of the Profession.
• CSLA issued a statement on Canada’s housing crisis.
• CSLA issued a statement on the biodiversity crisis.
• CSLA established an “Artificial Intelligence” network and circulated a survey to understand the challenges and opportunities for the profession.
• Jane Welsh appointed CSLA representative as a peer reviewer for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund.
• Obtained NRCAN funding for LANDadapt, a climate education program, and put in place the program framework and staffing.
• Submitted a detailed response letter to Environment and Climate Change Canada regarding the National Biodiversity Strategy milestone document.
• CSLA participated on the advisory committee for the Open Urban Forests Establishing the First National View of Urban Forestry Geospatial Data in Canada, a centralised national hub for monitoring tree cover, tree planting, carbon storage, and long-term trends in urban forests.
• Landscape architecture is designated as a STEM discipline based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021) and this year, Canada has given priority to skilled STEM workers, offering a pathway for professionals to immigrate to Canada. CSLA prepare a web page and information on this initiative to support component and CSLA advocacy efforts.
• A joint Reconciliation Advisory Committee/Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee leadership summit was held to align action plans and prioritize the future work of the committees.
  A SMART Goals Guide was developed for the profession, adopted by the CSLA and by component associations and LACF.
• Hope Parnham is working with the Climate Risk Institute, participating in a steering committee along with planners, engineers and accountants to develop a professional competencies framework.
• landADAPT was funded by NRCAN in 2024 for two years, in the amount of $230,000. Landscape Architects Navigating and Designing for Adaptation, the new continuing education program to support building capacity through professional development opportunities for Canadian landscape architects, will address the target set for professions as described in the Canadian National Adaptation Strategy (NAS).
• The Cultural Landscapes Collection developed for the CSLA website, with a view to researching and adding additional sites on an ongoing basis to grow the collection.
• CSLA has acknowledged the Recognition Days in social media posts regularly. Highlighting applicable projects, practitioners and mission area themes as relevant for the applicable day.
• CoCA members have participated in national and international events including but not limited to the RAIC 2024 National Congress interdisciplinary panel for climate action (Whistler BC); IFLA Code Red for Earth (Sept 2024) World Congress (Instanbul, Turkey); Future Green Cities Conference in Utrecht (Sept 2024); CanU Forum: Divergence 2024 - panel on Urban Design for Sea Level Rise (Halifax NS October 2024).
• In collaboration with allied organizations including Canadian Wildlife Federation, David Suzuki Foundation (DSF), Ecological Design Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University and renowned author and environmental advocate Lorraine Johnson, the CSLA sent an open letter to municipal staff, elected officials and related associations in support of bylaw reform. The CSLA and DSF are cohosting an event on the same topic in November 2024.
  Azure Magazine has named the Bylaws for Biodiversity project one of six initiatives pushing the boundaries of sustainable design.
• The CoCA has established a collaboration with the ASLA Climate Network which is intended to improve shared access to resources and training opportunities for CSLA and ASLA members.
• Two CSLA members are participating in the National Horticulture Invasive Species Working Group, a two year term position.
• The CSLA developed a video to highlight climate adaptation case study projects.
• The CSLA has collaborated with RAIC to promote a workshop series on Life Cycle Assessments (embodied carbon) across the country and to encourage participation by CSLA members.
• CSLA established a website for AI related resources and training opportunities
• The CoCA Municipal Roundtable has been restructured to include a wider range of issues relating to public practice for landscape architects working in Canadian municipalities.

What we will do: The CSLA will build a communications strategy to actively engage with the federal government, targeting directors of agencies, ADMs, and senior bureaucrats to provide input from landscape architects on policy development, funding, and the inclusion of landscape architectural services. The CSLA will develop communications, data, and case studies demonstrating the value of the profession to all levels of government (federal, provincial/territorial, Indigenous, and municipal) and organizations.

How we will do it: The CSLA will undertake a research study on the value of the profession, evaluating both quantitative and qualitative data points and demonstrating the economic and societal impact of the profession, research and publish case studies to demonstrate the models for improved communities through landscape architecture and the result of federal investments in landscape architecture. We will monitor the federal standing committees, participate in strategic consultations, establish mechanisms to communicate the profession’s views and advice on issues of national concern and advocate for landscape architects to be listed on federal rosters. Furthermore, this objective will be integrated into the Board-approved CSLA Committee Action Plans.

What our success will look like: The CSLA will coordinate opportunities for landscape architects to speak on issues and contribute to policy discussions at all levels of government.

Deadline: 2026

Update

• CSLA made submissions to the Ministry of Finance budget consultation in 2023 and 2024.
• CSLA provided a detailed response and recommendations to enhance Canada’s 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy.
• CSLA responded to the National Adaptation Strategy.
• CSLA participates in the NRCan Adaptation Skills Working Group, a collaboration of national professional associations and climate change institutes.
• Members of the CoCA Working Group and CLS Committee participated in Standards Council of Canada advisory workshops on nature-based solutions for coastal protection, water quality and agriculture, as well as risk assessment for slope stabilization.
• Members of the CoCA Working Groups met with NRC researchers to discuss practical applications of their research on Urban Heat and Tree Canopy
• CSLA met with Infrastructure Canada to discuss the creation of a National Roster of Adaptation Experts for municipal green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
• Release of the State of the Profession Report in Fall 2024.
• CSLA CoCA and Working Group members have participated in national committees and working groups, including working groups for the Standards Council of Canada on coastal options appraisals, NbS for water quality, coastal adaptation toolkit, NbS for Agriculture, slope stabilization, NbS for erosion management and watershed-based flooding; NbS for water management, NbS for bioretention strategies.