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The CSLA is pleased to announce landADAPT: Landscape Architects Navigating and Designing for Adaptation, the new continuing education program to support building capacity through professional development opportunities for Canadian landscape architects.
landADAPT will address the target set for professions as described in the Canadian National Adaptation Strategy (NAS).
By 2027, 70% of the members of relevant professional associations (e.g., civil engineers, planners, landscape architects, accountants, and others) have the capacity to apply climate change adaptation tools and information and communicate the business case for adaptation measures to their clients or target audiences. (Government of Canada, National Adaptation Strategy, p. 29)
This project will enhance the capacity of landscape architects by developing tools and communication resources tailored specifically for the profession.
CSLA’s landADAPT program will include three main deliverables: a monthly webinar series, a series of climate change case studies, and a new online professional development course designed specifically for Canadian landscape architects.
Monthly Webinar Series
The CSLA will host up to 16 live-streamed webinar events over the next two years, starting in November 2024. The webinars will feature experts from across Canada and our global network who will highlight climate change challenges and opportunities and discuss design strategies for integrating climate adaptation into practice.
For more information on past and upcoming CSLA Educational Webinars:
Climate Change Case Studies
The CSLA will curate a series of Canadian case studies, spotlighting adaptive and resilient landscape architecture projects. Case studies will serve as educational tools, bolster CSLA's advocacy efforts, and empower our members to make the business case for adaptation measures to their clients and/or target audiences.
Thanks to the efforts of the dedicated volunteers of the CSLA Case Study Working Group, this work is already well underway. The CSLA recently developed an advocacy video to promote six adaptation projects that highlights the diverse range of work that Canadian landscape architects are engaged in. This video has already been presented to international audiences and continues to be a valuable advocacy tool.
Have you worked on a project that addresses a specific climate hazard or builds resilience through innovative design strategies? If so, we want to hear from you. Please register with the CSLA Good Grants Platform to submit a project using the Climate Case Study Collection Template submission form.
Online Professional Development Course
The CSLA will prepare and deliver a new online professional development (asynchronous) course to provide our members the latest in climate data, risk assessments, and adaptation strategies to support their practice. The course will include modules catered to landscape architects at various career stages.
The landADAPT program presents an exciting new opportunity for the CSLA to support members’ professional development and to enhance advocacy work on climate action in landscape architecture practice and research.
For more information on the landADAPT program, to share relevant resources, or to make recommendations for webinar speakers, please contact Hope Parnham at advocacy@csla-aapc.ca
Supported by Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program.
Further reading: Summary of the State of Professional Workforce Knowledge and Skills to Action Climate Change Adaptation Survey (2023)