CSLA News
2025 CSLA-OALA Congress Registration is Now Open!
Join us from June 5-7, 2025 in Ottawa for the CSLA-OALA Congress.
This year's event features keynote speakers Marc Hallé and Bianca Wylie, a trade show, a selection of tours every day to explore the nation's capital, a College of Fellows investiture ceremony, educational opportunities, and much more!
Learn more about congress programming
Students: Remember to apply to the Student Travel Grant Program by April 10th.
Michael Magnan Acclaimed as CSLA President-Elect
The CSLA is excited to announce that Michael Magnan has been named CSLA President-Elect.
Here are a few words from Michael's statement of intent:
"This next chapter, as President of the CSLA, represents an exciting opportunity to further serve the profession at a pivotal time. [...] I believe deeply in the potential of landscape architecture to lead on critical issues like climate adaptation and the creation of meaningful, sustainable public spaces. Serving as CSLA President would be an honor and a chance to champion our profession as we collectively shape a sustainable and resilient future."
Claude Cormier Honoured with Governor General’s Medal at Rideau Hall
The Governor General's Medal in Landscape Architecture was posthumously presented to Claude Cormier by Governor General Mary Simon in a ceremony at Rideau Hall on February 13. Receiving the award on his behalf were CCxA Co-Presidents Marc Hallé and Sophie Beaudoin.
Images: MS Anne-Marie Brisson, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2024 and MS Louis Dubé, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2024
Claude Potvin, AAPQ, FCSLA, Appointed CSLA IFLA Delegate for a Three-Year Mandate
In February, the CSLA Board appointed former CSLA President Claude Potvin to the role of IFLA Delegate for a three year mandate. The Board was impressed with Claude's ongoing volunteerism with the IFLA and his knowledge of the Spanish language will help the CSLA further contribute to the IFLA Americas discussions. Learn more about Claude.
CSLA's Cultural Landscapes Legacy Collection Adds New Sites
From Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park to the Grand Concourse Walkway Network in the St. John's area, the Cultural Landscapes Legacy Collection has grown to include four more sites that have made a lasting impact.
To learn more about how you can contribute to the protection of Canadian legacy landscapes, RAIC and Parks Canada are offering the following on-demand course available in both English and French: Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada: Integrating Accessibility.
landADAPT March Webinar
Register now for the upcoming landADAPT series webinar on March 27th: Parks in Action with Fadi Masoud.
Did you miss last month's webinar? Visit our webinar archive to find recordings of past events.
Call for Submissions: Landscapes | Paysages Fall 2025
Natural Capital: Accounting for Landscape Architecture
Queries/Drafts due date: May 16, 2025
Final Copy due date: July 14, 2025
For this issue of Landscape|Paysages, guest edited by Rasmus Astrup, design principal of the renowned Danish landscape studio SLA, we ask contributors to share the insights, tools, data and inspiration used to integrate natural capital into their projects and practice. We want to demystify the economic processes that guide many landscape projects, and create a practical “handbook” to equip the profession with effective arguments and information, making the strongest case for green, adaptive, livable and biodiversity-focused solutions.
Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council Grants Full Six-Year Accreditation to the University of Calgary
In January, 2025, the LAAC granted the University of Calgary Landscape Architecture Program a full six-year accreditation, with two recommendations regarding the program's autonomy, and faculty recruitment.
- LAAC Recommendation 1. The Landscape Architecture Program should have a distinct program administrator with full autonomy, that does not have responsibility to other programs, and should be designated at a level that allows participation in higher-level administrative discussions. This would strengthen the MLA program, the Planning program, and reinforce the overall objectives of the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL).
- LAAC Recommendation 2. Recruiting more full-time faculty with landscape architecture credentials should be a priority to help build momentum in the undergraduate program and strengthen the MLA program. Efforts should continue to increase faculty diversity and integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion principles into the program. With the undergraduate program reaching a full complement by 2026, which will include landscape and architecture streams, a priority needs to be placed on this landscape specific recruitment.
Learn more about the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Council
Did You Know that operating revenues for landscape architecture firms increased from $380 million in 2013 to $746 million in 2021? 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
Next month, join us for a discussion on Parks, Gentrification, and Justice: Spotlight on Homeless Encampments in Toronto’s Allan Gardens.
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.
Join the Roster of Climate and Biodiversity Champions
The CSLA is building a Roster of Climate and Biodiversity Champions—a network of dedicated volunteer members with the passion, expertise, and vision to contribute to initiatives addressing climate change and biodiversity. This initiative aligns with the mission of the newly formalized Committee on Climate and Biodiversity, to drive meaningful change through advocacy, professional development, and innovative practice.
Does your firm/company use the Canadian Landscape Standard (CLS)?
If so, please add your name to the growing list of associations, companies, firms and individuals who are endorsers of the CLS. By doing so, you are demonstrating that your firm or company designs, builds and maintains according to a nationally recognized standard.
To join the growing list of endorsers, please contact Rebecca at coordinator@csla-aapc.ca with the full name as you would like it to appear in the CLS.
Survey: Are you involved in Infrastructure Adaptation projects?
Infrastructure adaptation involves reimagining existing transportation systems—such as ports, rivers, railways, and roads—to serve multiple community needs beyond their original purposes. By transforming these linear infrastructures, we can enhance urban livability, promote environmental sustainability, and foster economic growth. Your expertise is crucial to ongoing research on this subject. Please take a moment to complete a brief 15-question (5 minute) survey designed to gather insights from landscape architects like you.
For more information, or if you have additional feedback to provide, feel free to contact Anya Domlesky, ASLA. Anya is an urban designer and landscape architect currently the Director of Research at SWA Group. Anya's research on infrastructure adaptation is supported by the Landscape Architecture Foundation.
Current Volunteer Opportunities with the CSLA
CSLA Seeks AALA, AAPQ Representatives and Student Intern for Landscapes | Paysages Editorial Board
The CSLA is seeking to fill the following roles on the Landscapes | Paysages Editorial Board:
The members of the L|P Editorial Board are intended to represent the CSLA Board of Directors, the landscape architecture academic community, and the CSLA provincial, regional, and territorial constituent associations.
Follow the above links to learn more and find out how to apply.
Landscape Architecture Continuing Education Standards (LA CES) Committee
The CSLA is looking for one volunteer representative for the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education Standards Committee (LA CES) Application Review Committee.
LA CES is administered through the collaboration of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA – which provides staffing and overhead); the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA); the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA); the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB); the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB); and the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF).
Member News
What Makes Design Inclusive or Exclusive?
OALA's J.E.D.I. Committee is hosting a panel on the ways in which design influences inclusivity or exclusivity through our representation, the way we work, engage with our stakeholders, and the programs and policies that drive design. Join to hear from Black design professionals who will provide their perspectives on the issue.
March 5, 2025 (6:00-8:30 PM) at 55 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto
Winners of the 2024 Sustainable Communities Awards Celebrated
In January, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) announced the winners of the 2024 Sustainable Communities Awards, celebrating the most innovative sustainable initiatives across Canada. The winning municipalities were celebrated at the 2025 Sustainable Communities Conference in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Congratulations to our colleagues whose work was recognized!
LACF News
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
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New Online Courses from RAIC in 2025
RAIC is offering the following new courses. Click to learn more:
- HR Essentials for Architects
Spring: Mar. 26 – Apr. 30, 2025
Fall: Sept. 17 – Oct 22, 2025 - Financial Management for Architects
Spring: Apr. 7 – Jun. 9, 2025
Fall: Sept. 15 – Nov. 17, 2025
RAIC 2025 Conference on Architecture
We’re proud to support the RAIC 2025 Conference on Architecture, which will take place June 1-4 in Montréal, QC, organized by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). Canada’s architectural community will unite to learn and discuss ways to improve our built environment.
2025 Toronto Urban Design Awards: Call for Entries Now Open
Submissions are now being accepted for the 2025 Toronto Urban Design Awards. The call for entries deadline is April 14 at 12 p.m. (noon). The awards recognize the significant contribution that architects, landscape architects, urban designers, artists, design students and city builders make to the look and livability of our city. Project entry details and program information is available at www.toronto.ca/tuda
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Call for Submissions: Cool Gardens design competition
Presented by Storefront Manitoba, Cool Gardens is a design competition and curated public exhibition of contemporary garden installations that takes place in various locations across Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
For over 10 years, Cool Gardens has commissioned temporary installations by architects, landscape architects, designers, and artists that instigate curiosity and play, while promoting public engagement with designed landscapes.