CSLA News
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Message from Michelle Legault, CSLA Executive Director
Dear colleagues,
The past few months have brought many upheavals that could affect us both personally and professionally. I think it’s important to remind ourselves that the profession of landscape architecture should transcend politics and, at its core, serve the land and the people. The CSLA Board, Committees and Staff are committed to ensuring we do so.
The CSLA is actively monitoring the ongoing trade dispute, policy changes relating to interprovincial trade and professional mobility, and the upcoming federal election. The Board of Directors met to discuss our ongoing response and we remain committed to keeping members informed and supported.
Through the tariff impact survey conducted in early March, we learned that members appreciated the opportunity to share their experiences and offered valuable suggestions. One such opportunity identified was the creation of a shared resource listing Canadian suppliers and manufacturers - you can learn more in this bulletin.
Additionally, our commitment to federal advocacy remains strong. Check out our election toolkit and use it to stay informed, engaged, and active in the democratic process.
Thank you for your continued trust and commitment to the CSLA community. As always, it is a pleasure and an honor to serve you.
Michelle
Join us at the 2025 CSLA-OALA Congress
Registration is open for the 2025 CSLA-OALA Congress in Ottawa! From June 5-7 at the Rogers Centre (formerly the Shaw Centre), join us for 2 ½ days of fascinating keynotes, scenic tours, and countless CE opportunities.
STUDENTS! Remember to apply to the Student Travel Grant Program by April 10th.
April is World Landscape Architecture Month!
Each April, we celebrate World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM) – an opportunity to raise awareness about the profession and recognize how landscape architects shape healthy, resilient, and beautiful communities.
Find out how we're celebrating and how you can join in:
CSLA Advocacy in Action: What You Need to Know
As the political and economic landscape shifts, the CSLA is working to ensure landscape architects have the tools they need to navigate change and influence policy.
Here's how you can engage in three key advocacy initiatives happening right now:
- Federal Election 2025 – Visit the Election Toolkit for ideas, tips, and resources to help amplify your voice this election season.
- Tariffs and US-Canada Trade Disruptions – Take a moment to complete our updated survey.
- New CSLA Canadian Suppliers List Initiative – To contribute to the list or suggest suppliers in your region, complete the trade disruption survey (above) and indicate your interest.
Summary of Decisions of the March 2025 CSLA Board Meeting
- A contract with the Climate Risk Institute was approved to design an online course for landADAPT.
- The College of Fellows KEEP Program: Knowledge and Experience Exchange and Partnership was approved and will be launched at the College of Fellows Business Meeting.
- Two Honorary Memberships were approved and an announcement will follow.
- Catherine Berris was appointed Co-Chair of the Climate and Biodiversity Committee and the Board thanked Jane Welsh for her service as chair.
- Bev Sandalack was appointed as academic representative on the LAAC and the Board thanked Jean Trottier for his service on the LAAC.
- Doug Shearer was appointed to the LACES Application Review Committee and the Board thanked Matt Sloan for his service on the LACES Application Review Committee.
- Jane Welsh was appointed as Chair of the Finance and Risk Management Committee and the Board thanked Joanne Moran for her service as Chair of the Finance and Risk Management Committee.
- Six Recognition Awards were approved and an announcement will follow.
- The GHG Emissions inventory will be undertaken in-house from now on and the staff are instructed to craft a proposal for carbon offsets.
Beverly Sandalack named to Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council
The CSLA Board of Directors unanimously approved Dr. Bev Sandalack's appointment to the LAAC as Academic Representative.
Jane Welsh Appointed as Chair of the Finance and Risk Management Committee
The CSLA Board of Directors unanimously approved Jane Welsh's appointment as board Chair of the Finance and Risk Management Committee.
IFLA Update
CSLA is a member of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), and in this capacity recently received a comprehensive letter from its president regarding IFLA's accomplishments and objectives. To learn more about IFLA initiatives, read the letter here:
Upcoming landADAPT webinar:
From Risk to Resilience: Indigenous Alternatives to Climate Risk Assessment in Canada
Thursday, April 17 at 2:00 ET
This session delves into the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and climate risk assessment, challenging conventional approaches that focus narrowly on infrastructure while overlooking the broader social-ecological system. Co-authors Janna Wale and Brett Huson will discuss From Risk to Resilience: Indigenous Alternatives to Climate Risk Assessment in Canada. This special report rethinks how risk is defined and assessed. This conversation will explore how integrating Indigenous perspectives can lead to more effective, holistic resilience strategies that address climate risks and strengthen cultural and ecological continuity for future generations. Note: This event will be held in English with French translation services provided.
Did You Know? Understanding Indigenous history and incorporation of Indigenous perspectives into landscape design is a key principle in the practice.
Findings from the State of the Profession Report
In autumn, the CSLA released a report on the state of the profession of landscape architecture by Winnipeg-Based Firm InterGroup Consultants. For more findings, read the report.
Join the CSLA's Municipal Roundtable
Are you a landscape architect working for a Canadian municipality? If so, we invite you to participate in the CSLA's Municipal Roundtable. Formed in 2019, the Municipal Roundtable has been a valuable platform for landscape architects working across Canadian municipalities to come together for monthly presentations and discussions on climate change and adaptation. And starting this fall, we have broadened our scope to explore a wider range of topics that are crucial to public practice landscape architecture.
Interested in joining? To register, simply complete this short survey. We look forward to your involvement in shaping the future of landscape architecture in Canadian municipalities.
Member News
Basterfield & Associates Project Featured in TIME Magazine's World's Greatest Places of 2025
Since reopening in May, 2024, the Canadian Canoe Museum has drawn international attention. Located along the scenic shores of Little Lake in Peterborough, the new museum has earned a spot on TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places to Visit in 2025.
Basterfield & Associates, also based out of Peterborough, provided landscape architectural and site design services for this exciting new museum.
LACF News
Upcoming Deadlines:
Frederick Gage Todd Scholarship: May 1st 2025 (new deadline)
Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellowship: May 1st 2025
LACF Presents 2025 Research Grant Recipients
Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation (LACF) is pleased to announce the recipients of funding in the 2025 Research Grants Program in support of research, communication and scholarship. This year, 9 awards were approved by the National Jury.
"These in-depth explorations and research projects will advance our collective knowledge and inspire future stewardship and leadership in the discipline of Landscape Architecture." - Marilyn Gould, SALA, CSLA, Chair, LACF Grants Committee
Meet the 2025 Research Grant recipients
Reminder: 2025 LACF Annual Members' Meeting
The Annual Members' Meeting will be held virtually on April 23rd, at 2 pm ET.
Attendance by Proxy: If you are unable to attend the meeting, please download the LACF Proxy Form and return it to the Executive Director (lacf-fapc@csla-aapc.ca).
LACF Raises Frederick Gage Todd Scholarship to $15,000
We are thrilled to announce that, as of 2025, we’ve reached our goal of fully endowing the Frederick Gage Todd Scholarship, thanks to the generosity of all of our Ten for Todd supporters and others who contributed.
Our next goal is to increase the scholarship value to $25,000, making it the premier Canadian scholarship for landscape architecture students. To kickstart this effort, Bill DeLuca has pledged a multi-year commitment of $5,000 annually for the next five years. This generous contribution will raise the scholarship value to $15,000 for the next five years.
Vincent Asselin Appointed Chair of LACF Fundraising Committee
Former LACF President Vincent Asselin will serve as LACF's Chair of Fundraising for a three year term. The Board of Directors thanks Vincent for taking on this important role for the Foundation. He will serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors and contribute to developing fundraising strategies. Thank you, Vincent!
More LACF-Funded Research Reports
The following grant-supported research projects have been completed and can be viewed on the LACF website:
- Corey Dawson submitted a final report for Using River Builder as a tool for riverscape design and flood risk management: A case study for Sackville River in Bedford, Nova Scotia.
- Stephen Hews completed the project Towards a Wild Anthropocene: Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Habitat Restoration.
Partner News
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards 2025
The GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards celebrates the excellence and the talent of creative professionals and firms who have distinguished themselves through exemplary practice. This prestigious international competition recognizes excellence across seven disciplines:
Architecture | Interior Design | Real Estate & Construction | Product Design | Landscape & Territories | Branding & Communication Design | Art & Photography
Submission deadline: May 1, 2025
Submit your project on the competition portal: GPDA.design
CSLA members get 10% off submission fees with promo code: CSLA-GPD18
Attend the RAIC Expo on Architecture for Free
Meet more than 50 vendors from across Canada offering top-notch services to architects at the RAIC Expo on Architecture. The RAIC is opening its tradeshow floor to the public, as part of its 2025 Conference on Architecture.
When: June 2, from 1-5 pm
Where: Hotel Bonaventure Montréal
RSVP to attend the FREE Expo
2025 RAIC Conference on Architecture is taking place from June 1-4 at the Hotel Bonaventure Montréal, and will bring together hundreds of architectural professionals, faculty and industry leaders from across Canada and abroad.
The Art of Leadership Women
Elevate your leadership with The Art of Leadership Women conference, returning to Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto! Develop your leaders, engage your talent, and build high-performing teams.
Use the code CSLA45 and save $50 per pass or $100 per pass for groups of 5+.
New Category for the 2025 Toronto Urban Design Awards
The new Public Art category in the Toronto Urban Design Awards will recognize projects site-specific works, whether permanent or temporary, that engage the public, integrate seamlessly into their surroundings and enhance the city’s identity and quality of life.
Submission deadline: April 14, 2025 at noon
Oberlander Prize Forum | Soak it Up: Combating Climate Change with Landscape Architecture
Mar 17 - May 31, 2025
The “sponge cities” concept for addressing climate change accelerated urban flooding championed by the Beijing-based landscape architect Kongjian Yu, the most recent winner of the Cornelia Hahn Oberlander International Landscape Architecture Prize, is the inspiration for Soak It Up, a global summit about combatting climate change with landscape architecture – organized by The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) and with generous support from PlayCore.
Turning the Tide Conference
The third Turning the Tide conference circles from Aruba to Prince Edward Island in June 2025 and promises to shift the discussion surrounding climate change on islands. Presentations, workshops, and experiential learning sessions will take place on topics such as urban design, climate change education, health, reconciliation, and the role of cultural knowledge in addressing the climate emergency.
Registration is now open and early bird tickets are available until April 15.
Visit the conference website for keynote speaker announcements, and more details over the next few months, and to get in touch with any questions:
IUCN Call for Young Changemakers
IUCN is searching for the next generation of young innovators leading the way in nature conservation and sustainability!
The IUCN World Conservation Congress Changemakers brings together young innovators and visionary leaders who are developing and implementing cutting-edge solutions to biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development challenges in their communities. Selected changemakers will join global leaders, experts, and practitioners at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 to showcase their transformative initiatives, exchange ideas, and drive impactful action for a nature-positive future. Participants will have the unique opportunity to present their entrepreneurial solutions to influential decision-makers from the private sector, government, and civil society.
Deadline: April 27, 2025