CSLA News
Message from Michelle Legault, CSLA Executive Director
Dear colleagues,
The start of a new year always bring with it a sense of renewed motivation, optimism and hope. Despite the challenges, be they global, local, or in our email, the start of a new calendar always reminds me of a quote from the wise Miss Stacy in Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables: Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet. I always admired how Anne Shirley learned from her mistakes to make a better future for herself. The CSLA continues to work on making a better future for landscape architecture and, as such, we have many objectives and challenges in 2025, including landADAPT, an exciting Congress in Ottawa, and more. I hope you are feeling as optimistic as we are about this fresh year. Stay tuned to learn more about what the CSLA is doing to help this inspiring profession address the challenges that lay ahead in 2025.
Michelle
Projects From the Era of the Great Depression: Third Installment in the Landscape Architecture in Canada Video Series Available to Watch Now
In this third installment in the series celebrating the history of the profession, Ron Williams takes us through projects from the era of the Great Depression in Canada.
2025 Recognition Awards Nominations Close February 4th
The CSLA invites nominations for the 2025 Recognition Awards. The deadline to submit nominations is February 4th at 4 pm ET.
The award categories include:
- Schwabenbauer Award for Service to the CSLA
- Community Service Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Teaching Award
- Emerging Professional Award
Discover the Cultural Landscapes Legacy Collection
The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) is thrilled to begin 2025 by launching the Cultural Landscapes Legacy Collection, a celebration of the leadership, innovation, and vision of landscape architects and their clients.
Each project in the collection tells a story—of its creation, the role of the landscape architect, and the profound benefits these landscapes have provided both in their time and today.
Past CSLA President Vincent Asselin Appointed to Order of Canada
The CSLA is proud to announce that Vincent Asselin, former two-time CSLA president and current CSLA Delegate to IFLA, was named a Member of the Order of Canada. Bravo, Vincent! We are very proud of all you have accomplished!
CSLA's landADAPT Receives Funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program
Canada's federal government has announced over $4.5 million in funding for nine projects in southern Ontario or with a national reach under Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP). As a funding recipient, CSLA's landADAPT program is among the projects aiming to enhance knowledge and skills among professionals, businesses and communities to adapt to a changing climate, through the development and delivery of tools, resources and training.
“We are grateful to Natural Resources Canada for their support of our landADAPT program, which empowers Canadian landscape architects with the tools and knowledge needed to address the pressing challenges of climate change. This investment recognizes the vital role of landscape architects in designing resilient, adaptive communities and advancing Canada’s climate goals,” says CSLA Executive Director Michelle Legault.
landADAPT Webinar: Climate Positive Design: Going Beyond Neutral
Wednesday, February 19, 2:00 ET
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 event will be held in English with translation services provided.
If you missed the last landADAPT webinar, all webinars are archived on the CSLA website.
Register See All Upcoming Webinars Webinar Archive
Share Your Input: Help Build Climate-Resilient Trails
Does your organization contribute to trail building, maintenance, and / or sustainability? If so, your input can help shape the future of Canada’s trail networks.
Canada’s national trail system plays an important role in building a sustainable future for the country’s natural environment. Trans Canada Trail is building a climate resilient trails framework that will help trail organizations, managers, and funders enhance the climate resilience of trail networks and support community sustainability.
Please complete the brief survey linked below to share your perspective and help Trans Canada Trail gather information for this vital program.
LAAC Update
At its December meeting, the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council approved a full, six-year accreditation to the University of British Columbia's Master of Landscape Architecture program.
CSLA Student Travel Grant to Attend LaBASH 2025
The CSLA is pleased to announce that the Student Travel Grant Program was extended to support applications of students wishing to attend LaBASH 2025 at the University of Guelph. The deadline to submit your request for a travel grant of up to $1,000 is 1 March. Download the form here.
Did You Know that Landscape Architecture is a Gender-Balanced Profession? 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.
Planning a new public square in Pierrefonds-Roxboro : A landscape architecture competition is now open
A multidisciplinary landscape architecture competition has been launched for the development of a public square in the Montreal borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro.
The call for proposals, which is open nationally and even internationally, will close on February 25, 2025, at noon.
Member News
Vlan Paysage Wins Two Awards
Parliament Hill Escarpment, Ottawa, and Habitations Saint-Michel Nord, Montreal, projects by AAPQ member firm Vlan Paysage, are both winners of the 2024 Chicago Anthenaeum and European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies International Architecture Awards. The projects were selected from over 850 entries from some 50 countries.
LACF News
Join us in Celebrating our National and Regional Scholars!
LACF is proud to announce this year's scholarship recipients, including:
- Connor Budd, recipient of the Frederick Gage Todd National Scholarship
- Claire Heidenreich, recipient of the Walter H. Kehm National Scholarship
- Rielle Ettawacappo, recipient of the Peter Jacobs Indigenous Scholarship
- Jordan Green, recipient of the BC2 Indigenous Scholarship
- The 2024 LACF regional scholars, and
the Maglin and Lemay scholars.
On February 6th, 2025 at 2 pm ET, join in virtually to meet the future leaders of our profession, the LACF national and regional scholars, as well as the Maglin and Lemay scholars.
This year's scholars will be announced soon!
Don't forget to save this link to your calendar. We hope to see you there!
Use this link to join the Zoom event
Final Research Report from Robert N. Allsopp Urban Design Fellow Kristina Zalite
During the 2024 Robert Allsopp Fellowship, Kristina Zalite (MBCSLA, settler of European ancestry) studied approaches to settler-decolonization as well as approaches to ecological restoration to seek ways to augment planting plans for greater plant success. The study is situated in the Lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, səlilwətaɬ, W̱SÁNEĆ, Stó:lō, Kwantlen, and Semiahmoo peoples. The study includes an interpretive strategy and ethnographic research informed by the Relational approaches of Opaskwayak Cree Scholar Shawn Wilson and Māori Scholar Linda Tuhiwai Smith. Methods included in-depth conversations with settler and indigenous allied professionals. Study findings include “Intentional Planting Design” principles that center around nurturing plant allies and plant relations; situating the site locally, culturally, and ecologically; and designing for principles of time, production, and regeneration. A collaborative pilot project is underway with the non-profit Co:Here Housing Foundation and the Urban Food Forest Foundation to apply the findings.
More LACF-Funded Research Reports
The following grant-supported research projects have been completed and can be viewed on the LACF website:
- Van Thi Diep submitted a final report for Reclaiming the Passive Voice: Stories of Women Who Leave Landscape Architecture, which was also presented virtually in November.
- Tasnim Ferdous completed the project Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilient Shorelines.
- Liam Doyle finished work on Clarifying the Relationship Between Plant Provenance and Native Insect Pollinator Communities.
Partner News
Show the World What You Have Accomplished! Enter the 2025 AZ Awards!
AZURE is thrilled to invite submissions to the 15th anniversary edition of the AZ Awards, the international competition recognizing excellence and innovation in 31 categories across 10 major architecture and design fields.
The AZ Awards provides unparalleled global exposure and recognition. Entering the AZ Awards means more than just the possibility of winning—it’s an opportunity for architects and designers to be seen, be celebrated, and make their mark in the global design community. It’s a launchpad for careers and ideas for emerging talents and established firms alike.
NOTE: Association members receive a 15% discount on the entry fee with the code SPECIAL15 at checkout.
Don’t wait any longer. See the details and submit your best work for an opportunity to step into the global spotlight and elevate your profile!
Les Jardins de Métis prepares for 100th anniversary milestone
As Les Jardins de Métis approaches its 100th anniversary milestone in 2026, it will begin various transitions as it enters a new chapter.
A new general manager will take office in March 2025 and will be accompanied in the transition by Alexander Reford, general manager of Les Jardins since 1995, to ensure consistency in operations as well as the overall strategic vision.