CSLA News
Message from Michelle Legault, CSLA Executive Director
Dear Colleagues, The CSLA-MALA Congress was held two weeks ago in Winnipeg, where we gathered the profession's award recipients, leadership, Fellows, students and practitioners at every career level. The event featured three days of tours, panels, keynote speakers, receptions, educational sessions and workshops, all crowned by an awards gala to celebrate the CSLA's 90 years. It was truly a magical event which demonstrated the promise for the future of this profession and how landscape architects can lead us to a better tomorrow.
During this Indigenous History Month, let us pause to consider how landscape architecture can shape our world for the better and make it happen. If I have learned one thing in my years working at CSLA, it's that landscape architects are equipped with the tools to develop creative and collaborative solutions for complex, seemingly impossible challenges.
Michelle
CSLA and MALA Bestow Honorary Memberships on the Hon. Murray Sinclair and Niigaan Sinclair
The Hon. Murray Sinclair and Niigaan Sinclair received their honorary memberships from MALA and CSLA during the CSLA-MALA Congress in Winnipeg on May 31st, 2024. Learn more
Katherine Velluso appointed Officer, Awards and Honors
As of last month, Katherine has accepted the position of Officer, Awards and Honors.
The Officer, Awards and Honors, provides administrative and governance support to the CSLA’s awards and honors programs, the LACF’s grants and scholarships programs, and supports the planning of the yearly CSLA Congress. The role is directly linked to the core objectives of the CSLA to advocate for and promote the profession and elevate the profession by celebrating the achievements of landscape architects.
Her new email address will be awards@csla-aapc.ca.
Government of Canada releases Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy
Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy: Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss in Canada outlines a comprehensive roadmap for conserving and enhancing biodiversity across the country. The CSLA is dedicated to supporting and advancing the goals of the 2030 Nature Strategy and we will continue to advocate for policies and practices that promote biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development.
Announcing the 2024 Class of Fellows
The CSLA College of Fellows welcomed ten new members during an Investiture Ceremony that was held at the 2024 CSLA-MALA Congress in Winnipeg in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession.
CSLA Announces the Recipients of the 2024 Awards of Excellence
The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) announced the recipients of the 2024 Awards of Excellence. This year, 15 projects received a national award. Sea2City Design Challenge by PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc. + Mithun is Awarded the Jury's Award of Excellence, which is given to one project annually which best demonstrates the CSLA's vision - of advancing the art, science, and practice of landscape architecture.
Summary of the Decisions of the May, 2024, CSLA Board Meeting
1. Cynthia Girling's contributions to the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council were recognized by the Board with their thanks.
2. Joanne Moran was approved as Chair of the Finance and Risk Management Committee until the 2025 Annual General Meeting.
3. A two-year, $230,000 funding agreement with NRCAN for LANDadapt, a program of climate adaptation education, was approved to be delivered by CSLA.
4. Revisions to the Board Manual were approved.
5. Revisions to the Communications Strategy were approved.
6. Revisions to the Committee Manual were approved.
7. A Donations Policy was adopted.
8. A component grant request from MALA was approved.
9. A joint letter of municipal bylaws for biodiversity was approved, in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, the David Suzuki Foundation, and environmental advocate Lorraine Johnson.
Several issues were also discussed and advanced, such as: future training needs for CSLA board members, standard form contracts' use in the profession, CSLA representation at component AGMs, improvements to the Awards of Excellence program, checking in on the progress of the Strategic Plan, and updates from staff, the Executive Committee and committee chairs.
LACF News
Final report now available for LACF Grant: Native Plant Procurement in the Landscape Industry
The report 'Native Plant Procurement in the Landscape Industry' summarizes findings from three focus group discussions held in December of 2023, as well as two landscape project case studies that demonstrate creative alternatives to procurement. Through this compilation of multi-sector perspectives on improving native plant supply issues, the findings highlight both significant challenges and opportunities in several areas pertinent to landscape architects including contracts, policy and funding, certification, and education.
Much of the discussion on how landscape architects’ could begin to make change focused on contracts and specs–being more precise and creative about how we draw these up; changing the consulting model so growers are early partners in design either through more use of contract grow models, or even as part of the design team as another consultant; educating ourselves and educating clients; and advocating for more support / funding for industry wide improvements.
The intent of this report is to support the betterment of our work while advancing the profession’s response to the biodiversity crisis through education and advocacy. One of the most exciting takeaways however was the enthusiasm amongst participants (and others), for ongoing cross-sector communication and knowledge exchange to tackle these challenges in a meaningful way!
Member News
In memoriam: Professor John “Jack” D. Milliken, OALA – Emeritus, FCSLA
April 26, 1935 – June 8, 2024
The Landscape Architecture program in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development is saddened to hear of the passing of retired Professor, John D. “Jack” Milliken, who died June 8, 2024, in his 90th year. Jack was a faculty member at the University of Guelph from 1965 until his retirement in 1993. He was credited for establishing the Master of Landscape Architecture program at Guelph in 1974. Jack Milliken was inducted into the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects College of Fellows in 1980 and the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects as OALA Emeritus in 1994.
Component News
Call for Proposals: 2024 OALA Conference
On October 17-18, 2024, join the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) for our 2024 annual conference in Niagara Falls. This year’s theme, Ripple Effect, will explore how all actions, no matter how small, can have great and lasting impacts on the well-being of our communities. The call for proposals has been extended! Submit your proposal by June 30, 2024.
Other News
Climate literacy courses now publicly available!
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Public Service Climate Literacy suite is now publicly accessible. These courses were authored by national climate leaders and share a vision for a pathway to a resilient, net-zero Canada.
Applying Climate Literacy Foundations:
Spearheaded by Dr. Sarah Burch from the University of Waterloo, this course offers an overview of core climate change science, and solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the coming impacts. It covers critical areas such as key impacts on biodiversity, health, food, and water, and how climate governance challenges us to work together over time. (3 hours)
Contributing to a Net-zero Canada: Dr. James Meadowcroft from Carleton University authored this course, which delves into the heart of the climate crisis. Participants will explore the energy transition, solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across Canadian sectors and regions, and the policy and governance that will facilitate Canada’s net-zero future. (2 hours)
Adapting to a Changing Climate in Canada: Under the guidance of Dr. Robin Cox from Royal Roads University, this course offers insights into climate impacts and crucial terminology for understanding adaptation and resilience. It provides a toolkit of adaptation actions and offers an in-depth exploration of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy. (2 hours)