In February, the VAASLA Executive Committee invited members to complete an online survey so that the leadership could learn more about the memberships' priorities and preferences moving forward. A total of 69 VAASLA members participated, representing about 25% of the total membership base. They hailed from all over the Commonwealth, with the majority calling Charlottesville, Richmond, or the Tidewater area home. Over 75% of respondents are licensed landscape architects, and 83% indicated that they are active members of ASLA. 43% of respondents expressed concern about the stability of the LA license in Virginia.

Promotion of the profession, continuing education opportunities, and legislative efforts were selected as the three highest priorities for VAASLA, with the VAASLA annual conference a close fourth. Social events/networking and membership recruitment were considered lower priorities. The most common write-in answers were public service/volunteerism and the promotion of the profession to high school students.

There was strong interest among respondents (77%) in attending the VAASLA annual conference, with spring was selected as the ideal time. Livable/walkable cities was the most recommended topic for future conferences, with stormwater and planning close behind. Site tours and health, safety, and welfare topics were also strong contenders. Climate change, historic preservation, and plants were lower priorities.

The majority of respondents indicated that they were interested in attending both educational and social events sponsored by their local VAASLA section, but were evenly split as to when these events should take place (weekday lunches, weekday evenings or weekends).

Nearly 60% of respondents indicated that they had never submitted a project for a state award, citing lack of time as the major hurdle. It was suggested that awarding a wide range of projects and firms each year might encourage more participation.

To those of you who completed the survey, the Executive Committee thanks you for your time and insight. Your feedback has and will continue to guide our decision making. For those of you who indicated an interest in learning more about VAASLA volunteer opportunities, we will be in touch shortly!

VA ASLA Membership Committee

 Every two years the Virginia ASLA honors distinguished projects in Landscape Architecture completed by our State's Members and Students.

The purpose of the VA ASLA 2015 Professional and Student Awards Program is: 

• to recognize Excellence, Exemplary Performance, and Significant Contributions within the landscape architecture profession of the Commonwealth of Virginia;
• to encourage the application of landscape architectural solutions to the issues, problems and opportunities challenging us today; and
• to provide a forum for the review and evaluation of work currently shaping our environment.

The award winning projects will be showcased at the 2015 VA-ASLA Fall Conference (September 19th in Blacksburg, VA) during a special awards evening event that will be open to all conference attendees. They will also be featured on the VA ASLA website and in the chapter's digital newsletter. Posters of the winning entries will be displayed over the conference weekend in Cowgill lobby, home of the Virginia Tech's College of Architecture and Urban Studies.

If you have any outstanding projects in the categories of General Design, Analysis and Planning, Residential Design, Communications, Research, and Community Service please submit your projects via our digital application process by June 1, 2015. Click here for complete details.

We look forward to your application,

VA ASLA Awards Committee

by National ASLA 

Thank you for making World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM) such a success! This April we reached nearly 4,000 posts with the hashtag #WLAM2015 in more than 30 countries. These posts introduced landscape architecture to approximately three million people worldwide. Submissions came from individuals, businesses big and small, and organizations across the globe, making WLAM a truly global celebration of the profession.

Because of the success of WLAM, ASLA wants to continue the "Designed by a Landscape Architect" social media campaign past April. This campaign is a great way to show off your work or the work of your firm. Please keep the "Designed by a Landscape Architect" cards and continue to use them on social media. Not only will ASLA frequently feature these posts, but anyone following the hashtag will see your work too!

However, because World Landscape Architecture Month is technically over, ASLA is going to transition from using #WLAM2015 to #ThisIsLandArch. Please use #ThisIsLandArch when you post any picture with the Designed by a Landscape Architect cards.

Please contact [email protected] for any questions about this campaign or how to participate.

SITES Update

• An update will be coming soon from Nancy Sommerville

Presidents Report-Nancy Sommerville

• National travel with highlights at LABASH held at California Polytechnic State University informing over 800 students 
• ASLA is currently working with other organizations including APA, CELA and CLARB to talk about jointly addressing issues including diversity, emerging professionals and student recruitment.

Program and Operations Report

• The LA Report is a new weekly news blast going out to ASLA members only.
• World Landscape Architecture Month Tag Board "Designed by a Landscape Architect" has been wildly successful.  Please continue the grass roots effort.

A joint Statement on Diversity, with CLARB and LAF, and the UN Global Compact were both approved.

Finance and Investments

• To report on finance and investment performance for the year ending December 31, 2014.  ASLA is in good financial shape for the year.  Most revenue is generated by the annual meeting.

• Increased net assets (net income) by $.8 million.
• Contributed $200,000 from the short-term reserve to the long-term reserve.

Center for Landscape Architecture

• Schematic Design is complete.  The Design Team is being led by Gensler and Olme van Sweden.  The goal will be LEED Platinum.
• Fundraising has reached 80% of the $1 million goal.  The BOT voted to raise the fundraising goal to $2 million.
  • 100% of Chapters have contributed.

ASLA Fund

• There has been a confidential grant.  An announcement will follow
• The DC Green Streets project headed by ASLA is rising on the list of projects to be funded through the DC Clean Water State Revolving Fund.  $1.2 million available for the project when granted.

Two Breakout Sessions were held to discuss current ASLA planning opportunities.

• Students and Emerging Professionals Discussion
• Strategic Priorities and Planning

The Board of Trustees prevailed over the Chapter Presidents in a challenge Kickball Game on the Mall Friday evening.  Score 3-0!

Garden Dialogues bring together patrons and designers to reveal the creative process, the give and take, and the collaboration that yields a great garden. Garden Dialogues provides unique opportunities for small groups to experience some of today's most beautiful gardens created by some of the most accomplished designers currently in practice. The settings are intimate - generally no more than 24-30 people; relaxed - most run 90 minutes, which provides ample opportunity to explore the garden and hear a lively, informative Dialogue; and exclusive - nearly every Dialogue destination is a private, residential garden.

Launched to critical acclaim in 2012, the program had become one of the most popular programs in TCLF's history, with most Dialogues sold out weeks in advance. In 2015, Dialogues will be held coast-to-coast, from March through October, at exceptional gardens designed by leading practitioners. Register now for Dialogues in your area.

Save the date for the Virginia Garden Dialogues for the weekend of June 27-28, 2015. More details will be available on the Cultural Landscape Foundation's website soon.

Resilient Virginia has launched! With leaders from government, the private sector, academia, and community organizations at the helm, this organization has started on its path of accelerating resiliency planning in Virginia communities.

 Resilient Virginia's focus is to INFORM the Commonwealth's diverse communities on the issues associated with community resilience. It is to EDUCATE residents about resilience concepts, and finally it is to ACTIVATE stakeholders to create sector-oriented action plans so that we are ready for changes in the climate, environment, and economy - whether those changes are natural or the result of human activity.

It is Resilient Virginia's VISION to ensure that adaptation to these challenges is made in a manner that provides for healthy, vibrant, and safe communities in which to live, work, and raise future generations.

Click here to learn more about Resilient Virginia.

The Cultural Landscape Foundation recently launched a What's Out There Washington, D.C. online guide. Compiling concise and original profiles of more than 75 landscapes in the nation's capital, a comprehensive narrative about the development of the District, and detailed biographies of the landscape architects and planners who have shaped these places, the interactive Guide is a rich and compelling resource for visitors and residents alike. 

Click here for more information.