American Society of Landscape Architects

Playbook for the Pyrocene by SWA This open-access guide distills complex fire science into clear, actionable strategies for adapting communities to a rapidly changing wildfire reality. Six rules-of-thumb and 20 design strategies help planners, landscape architects, and residents translate research into on-the-ground resilience. “Stunning visual execution… balancing aesthetic excellence with critical environmental advocacy.” —2025 Awards Jury Learn more about this award-winning project: https://bit.ly/48SQCrC Image credit: ASLA 2025 Professional Communications Honor Award. Playbook for the Pyrocene. SWA / SWA #aslaawards #thisislandscapearchitecture

In the Nordvest neighborhood of Copenhagen, Denmark, a derelict lawn in a social housing estate built in the 1950s has been transformed into a climate park designed to manage vast amounts of water. Grønningen-Bispeparken is a masterwork of multipurpose design: it protects the community from flooding while increasing biodiversity and providing social and play spaces. According to landscape architecture firm SLA, the 5-acre park is the city’s “most radical nature-based climate adaptation project to date.” In recognition of its forward-thinking nature, the park won this year’s International Rosa Barba Landscape Prize. “Grønningen-Bispeparken … encourages us all to get to work, adapting our cities to a changing climate, with the clarity of [its] design process and a concept that is replicable, plus an outcome that is both transformative and beautiful,” said Kate Orff, FASLA, chair of the prize jury and founder of SCAPE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DPC. Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT: https://bit.ly/44Prb7P Image credit: Grønningen-Bispeparken, Copenhagen, Denmark. SLA / SLA; Grønningen-Bispeparken, Copenhagen, Denmark. SLA / Mikkel Eye; Wood artwork by Kerstin Bergendal, with Efterland. Grønningen-Bispeparken, Copenhagen, Denmark. SLA / Kobenhavs Kommune

Help shape the future of landscape architecture education. The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) is revising its Accreditation Standards and is hosting virtual town halls to gather direct input from educators, students, practitioners, and ASLA Affiliate Groups. Your perspective is essential to this process. Town Halls (ET): • ASLA Affiliate Groups: Dec 10, 12–1:15 pm • Students & Emerging Professionals: Dec 10, 2–3:15 pm • Practitioners: Dec 11, 12–1:15 pm • Faculty: Dec 11, 2–3:15 pm Registration and more information: https://bit.ly/3YbG3tw

"Landscape management is not considered as glamorous as design, yet it’s critical to achieving design goals. And because landscapes are dynamic, living systems, management can often be quite creative — and represent a meaningful form of care and stewardship. Learn how planning for landscape management during the design phase helps ensure resilient, successful projects" — Jenna Webster, Larry Weaner Landscape Associates The ASLA Climate & Biodiversity Action Committee continues its webinar series: Biodiversity and Climate Action 101 for Landscape Architects. Register for the latest webinar — Cultivating Biodiverse Landscapes: Tools, Tips, and Mindset Shifts for Working with Living Ecosystems — on December 10 at 1 pm EST. Join Jenna; Bram Gunther, PLAN it WILD, and Suzette Lopane, ASLA, Westchester County. This webinar is free for ASLA members and $50 for non-members. It offers 1.0 PDH (LACES/HSW). Register today: https://bit.ly/49Og4j3 The webinar series is underwritten by Landscape Forms. Image credit: Crow’s Nest Research Center, Stafford, Virginia. LWLAdesign / Paul Fetters; Jenna Webster / LWLA

Dreaming of a career in landscape architecture but worried about the cost? The ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarship was established to help outstanding students remove financial barriers to a professional degree. Awards: • 1 winner receives $10,000 • Up to 4 runners-up receive $5,000 each • All recipients get free registration and a travel stipend to attend the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture. Deadline: February 1 Start your application today: https://bit.ly/3Rl4S3v Note: Priority is given to students demonstrating financial need and/or those from underrepresented backgrounds. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a LAAB-accredited undergraduate program. Non-baccalaureate MLA students are not eligible. Image credit: 2025 Council of Fellows Scholarship Winners / nobilephoto #LandscapeArchitecture

“Clearly quantifying the carbon footprints of projects based on objective data is the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions" — Radu Dicher, ASLA, SWA. The ASLA Climate & Biodiversity Action Committee has released a new resource for landscape architects: Evaluating the Climate Impacts of Projects Through BIM and Related Platforms Guidelines for Project Performance Data Takeoff The guidelines were written by: - Radu Dicher, ASLA, LFA, Firmwide BIM Manager, SWA Group - Eric Gilbey, ASLA, PLA, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Vectorworks - Matt Perotto, ASLA, OALA, CSLA, Senior Associate, Janet Rosenberg & Studio (JRS) This resource provides high-level direction on how to use a variety of typical BIM and “BIM-proxy” tools to evaluate the impacts of embodied carbon in projects. And in a more general sense, it presents methodologies for executing “quantity takeoffs” from projects. The guidelines provide options for different phases of the project lifecycle – from concept, schematic design, design development, to construction documentation. It outlines ways in which project data can provide outputs for embodied carbon assessments. Read more: https://bit.ly/4ovIPVh Image credit: Southern Gateway, Dallas, Texas / SWA

"Too often, designs with good intentions fail. They don't take into account space restrictions and practical ecological considerations. And they almost always don't take into account stewardship and monitoring. Learn how to work within the ecological boundaries of a site to create long-term survivability" — Bram Gunther, PLAN it WILD The ASLA Climate & Biodiversity Action Committee continues its webinar series: Biodiversity and Climate Action 101 for Landscape Architects. Register for the latest webinar — Cultivating Biodiverse Landscapes: Tools, Tips, and Mindset Shifts for Working with Living Ecosystems — on December 10 at 1 pm EST. Join Bram; Jenna Webster, Larry Weaner Landscape Associates; and Suzette Lopane, ASLA, Westchester County. This webinar is free for ASLA members and $50 for non-members. It offers 1.0 PDH (LACES/HSW). The webinar series is underwritten by Landscape Forms. Register today: https://bit.ly/3MxLzUG Image credit: Bram Gunther / PLAN it WILD; Pocket Forest, Mt. Kisco, NY; Pocket Forest, Meadow Park, Norfolk, CT; Pocket Forest, Tisdale School, Bridgeport, CT / Bram Gunther

Today, your donation to the ASLA Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $9,500 thanks to CIVITAS INC, Confluence, and Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects. All donors today will be entered to win a 3-day, expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Victor Stanley, with visits to the American Society of Landscape Architects Headquarters, Victor Stanley facilities, and a local LA-designed project. The first 100 donors will receive a Victor Stanley gift card for a Mark Kurlansky book giveaway. Thanks for your support! Make your Giving Tuesday donation today: https://lnkd.in/eCg6ZKJa

We have a limited vocabulary when trying to describe the beauty of landscapes, explained Kelly D. Norris, plantsman and artist, during an online discussion organized by the ASLA Climate & Biodiversity Action Committee. “We need to expand the language of aesthetics and create a pattern language. Designing landscapes is a process: It’s not just about the components of the design but about time; how landscapes change over time and be resilient.” The role of the designer is to “align aesthetic intent with ecology.” Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT: https://bit.ly/4plHC3N Image credit: A moisture gradient visible in Nachusa Grasslands, Franklin Grove, Illinois / Kelly D. Norris; The Romp, Three Oaks Garden in Des Moines, Iowa / Kelly D. Norris

The deadline for EDRA's 2026 Call for Programs has been extended to December 8. Submit proposals for papers, panels, workshops, posters, and more. Theme: Embracing Regional Sustainability: Networks for People and Places. Learn more & submit: https://lnkd.in/edFfJWZg Environmental Design Research Association #LandscapeArchitecture #EnvironmentalDesign