Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore Donald Williams listens to Margaret Jean McKee, an ancestor of Frederick Law Olmsted, after the famous landscape architect was inducted into the Connecticut Hall of Fame at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
Photo Credit: State of Connecticut

 

Dozens of landscape architects took in nearly seven hours of training at CTASLA's "Designing Sustainable Landscapes" program at Audubon Greenwich in September.
Photo Credit: Daniel Mond

CTASLA members filled 150 feet of wall space in the State Legislative Office Building in Hartford with an exhibit to promote the profession during National Landscape Architecture month in April.

Kyle Slocum, ASLA, of The S/L/A/M Collaborative, meets with University of Connecticut students for a tour of the firm's office and a look at ongoing design projects as part of CTASLA's support of the UConn student chapter.

The Connecticut Chapter of ASLA maintained its tradition of providing high quality, high value continuing education programs in support of landscape architects, landscape designers and allied professionals. Topics such as Concrete 101, Understanding Soils: The Foundation for Success, Designing Sustainable Landscapes "?u Residential and Beyond, and Moving Forward: Green Infrastructure Permitting, Policies, and Design attracted hundreds of learners and provided over 23 PDH/HSW.

The twice-yearly magazine, The Connecticut Landscape Architect, was mailed to nearly 2,000 readers, while the increasingly popular Annual highlighted an amazing 26 award-winning projects by member firms. Bold and appealing, this volume has been seen in many offices and desks across the state by members. Frederick Law Olmsted was voted into the Connecticut Hall of Fame this year. CTASLA has been pushing for this honor for native son and "Father of Landscape Architecture" for many years. The website (www.olmstedlegacytrail.com/frederick-law-olmsted), dedicated to his legacy in Connecticut, was also called out as a great resource in a regional paper, which spiked views. Annually, dedicated members hang over 150 feet of posters at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford during "Landscape Architecture Month" (April). This year posters featured landscape architects' contributions to Complete Streets, the value and meaning of licensing, as well as award-winning projects by chapter members. Again, CTASLA was fortunate enough to be able to award $5,000 in scholarships to two worthy students from the University of Rhode Island and Cornell University in the name of Karen Shopis-Fox. And involvement with the student chapter and the University of Connecticut has been gaining momentum with the continued enthusiasm of the UConn Ambassador Committee. Portfolio reviews, office visits and professional lectures and mentoring continue because of the support of outstanding members.

The ever-watchful advocacy committee kept close tabs on the state and public utilities as they launched "Enhanced Tree Trimming," which created uproar in several communities as street trees were removed in favor of power lines. Several members spoke at public hearings and the chapter wrote letters expressing concern over the methodology. The chapter also actively monitored proposed legislation to license landscapers that included language that would create a licensed landscape designer. That legislation was defeated in 2014, but is expected to return again in 2015.