Profile: The Arizona Chapter ASLA (AzASLA) is a professional association of landscape architects, associate, affiliates, and student members with 221 members across the state of Arizona. The association promotes the profession of Landscape Architecture through various outlets and venues in the focus of Advocacy and Public Outreach, aligning with the mission of the national ASLA organization and other state chapters. Over the course of 2019, AzASLA has had a number of events celebrating all things Landscape Architecture. From Advocacy at the State Capitol, the Chapter's annual awards gala, to PARK(ing) Day and member appreciation celebrations; these events were heavily supported by the chapter's professional and student members, affiliate organizations, and local community.

Advocacy Day at the State Capitol
Every year the Arizona Chapter of ASLA holds a breakfast at the Capitol Day to promote the profession of landscape architecture educate and inform legislators on what landscape architects do. A catered breakfast is provided on the lawn of the capitol for legislators and their staff. We coordinate the event with our lobbyist to select the best day and time and inform legislators about the event. Display boards from award winning projects from our most recent Awards Gala are on display to illustrate the work Landscape Architects do in Arizona. Members are on hand to greet legislators, learn about their issues and show them how landscape architects can improve our communities and protect the health safety and welfare of the people of Arizona.

 

Annual Awards Gala - March 2019
Since 1988 the Arizona Chapter has held their Annual Professional and Student Awards Gala to recognize the achievements of landscape architects in Arizona. Starting humbly with slides and carousels and a small number of entries, it has grown into the premier event of the chapter with typically over 50 entries and over 200 attendees. The event is further enhanced by a mini expo featuring numerous sponsors who can showcase their products and services in a relaxed and comfortable setting while providing a significant income to the chapter.


Advocacy Walk - August 2019
The AzASLA Chapter hosted Representative Biggs in an Advocacy walking tour of downtown Gilbert, Arizona, to showcase various federally funded Landscape Architecture projects in his district. Representation from AzASLA included Aaron Allan, Chapter Trustee; Brett Anderson, Chapter President; Galen Drake, Chapter Advocacy Chair; and Valerie Ahyong, Chapter Secretary. Representative Biggs was introduced to several projects in Gilbert, Az which helped in the revitalization of their downtown area. The projects completed by J2 Engineering and Design, all within walking distance of each other included Water Tower Plaza, Western Powerline Trail and streetscape improvement project. The chapter hopes to host another walk open to legislators and the general public in the coming year.


PARK(ing) Day
PARK(ing) Day is celebrated globally and supported by ASLA, and occurs every year on the third Friday of September. Several of the AzASLA's professional and student chapters participated this year with installations in visible downtown areas. Of note, Trueform Landscape Architecture participated alongside the Arizona State University ASLA Student Chapter in front of Phoenix City Hall. While the University of Arizona ASLA Student Chapter also participated concurrently in downtown Tucson. The UA ASLA Student Chapter was also a recipient of the AzASLA PARKing Day Grant this year.

"The ASU chapter's exhibit focused primarily on recycling. In a world, and especially a country, where there is so much single use waste, the students wanted to renew one small portion of that waste to raise awareness. The wooden pallets were donated by Mountain States Nursery, Home Depot and a local pharmacy warehouse, the poles were borrowed from an officer's family, and the highlight of the exhibit, the shade structure made of plastic mats, was donated by a local "plarning" group. "Plarning", plastic weaving, is a growing trend in response to the waste of single use plastic. Recycled plastic grocery bags are cut up into strips and woven into the plastic mats and donated to homeless shelters. They provide blankets and something to sit on for those less fortunate. The "plarning" group, which donates mats every month, made all but one of the mats in the exhibit.The last mat was woven by ASU students. To engage passing pedestrians and improve awareness, the students created a list of recycling trivia questions and a prize wheel with candy."

As seen in LASN magazine, December 2019.