2025 Fellows: Dolores Silkworth, FASLA, Nebraska/Dakotas Chapter

Confluence, Omaha, NE
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Dolores Silkworth has shaped the landscape architecture profession through her courage, determination, and advocacy for its essential role in public and private development. Her 40-year career blends policymaking, design leadership, and mentorship, leaving lasting impacts across Omaha, the Great Plains region, and beyond. Early on in her career, beginning at the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department, she convinced them that landscape architects should manage park design, not engineers as had long been the case. As head of Omaha's Park Planning division, she led a professional team that became recognized for its expertise in sustainable park design. They initiated the first three miles of trails, expanded the network to 67 miles, which has since increased to today's 120-mile system. Renowned for her design expertise, Dolores has guided interdisciplinary teams that integrate art, ecology, and community needs. Her work on Bayliss Park and South 24th Street exemplifies how she harmonizes design with cultural and historical narratives to create spaces that reflect and celebrate local identity. Both projects earned recognition as Great Places in America. Her designs have earned over 23 ASLA awards. Dolores has been proactive in advancing policy and licensure reform, serving the Great Plains Chapter in multiple leadership roles, chairing the Nebraska State chapter, serving as board member and chair of the Nebraska State Board of Landscape Architects, and playing a pivotal role with CLARB to refine licensure exams. As a private practitioner, she founded the Omaha office of Confluence. Through her guidance, she instills values of people-centered design and environmental stewardship, shaping future leaders whose innovative work continues to elevate communities and uphold the highest standards of the profession.