Profile: The Connecticut Chapter of ASLA is a professional association of landscape architects, associates and affiliates with nearly 275 members across the state. Echoing the mission of our national organization, the American Society of Landscape Architects, CTASLA aims to lead, educate and participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning and artful design of our cultural and natural environments. We strive to advance the profession of landscape architecture in Connecticut by providing educational programs, publications, information and resources to our members and to those seeking to benefit from landscape architectural services.

 
The Connecticut Chapter of ASLA in 2019 maintained its tradition of providing high quality, high value continuing education programs in support of its members and allied professionals. Programs organized by the chapter, totaling more than 26 PDH/HSW, included: "Aesthetics Meets Function: Outdoor Kitchens, Exterior Lighting, Walls & Other Challenges"; "Transit-Oriented Development: Places, Spaces & Showcases"; "Pedals, Parks & Playgrounds: A Landscape Architect's Tour of New Haven"; "Connecticut Grown: Functional & Beautiful Solutions for Designers"; and "Water: Conservation, Mitigation, Creation, and Restoration."

The chapter gave its annual Connecticut Olmsted Award to U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. Chapter leadership was able to present the award personally to Senator Murphy during ASLA's lobby day activities in Washington, DC in May. The award recognizes the Senator's tireless efforts over the years on behalf of Connecticut's green spaces and environment, championing such legislation as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Living Shorelines Act, and the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act.

The chapter's magazine, The Connecticut Landscape Architect, and its color Annual book continued to impress readers. Magazine coverage included articles on: Landscape Architecture at UConn (with profiles of retiring and incoming professors); New Urbanism; the Diversity of Landscape Architecture; Impact of Low-Emissivity Glass on Site Design; a project profile in Costa Rica; Learning from McHarg; and overviews of two iconic CT landscapes: The UConn campus in Storrs, CT, and Hartford's Institute of Living. The Design Talk section of the 2019 Annual included member-submitted vignettes showing multi-faceted approaches to Resiliency, this year's theme. The chapter's publications are mailed to hundreds of key decision-makers influencing the built environment in Connecticut, in addition to chapter members, further promoting the profession locally.

In June, CTASLA awarded its $2,500 Karen Ann Shopis-Fox Memorial Scholarship to Stamford, CT resident Chrishima Richards, who attends the University of Connecticut. The chapter also awarded its first Landscape Architecture Environmental Stewardship Scholarship for High School Seniors to Oliver Zych, of Weston, CT, who matriculated in the fall to California Polytechnic State University. Now in its 17th year, the chapter's scholarship program has awarded more than $70,000 to worthy students pursuing education in landscape architecture.

The chapter's Emerging Professionals section in 2019 continued to service members new to the profession with LARE training workshops and social events for networking. A full third of the Executive Committee (including our new President), are emerging professionals, suggesting enthusiastic leadership for the coming years!

As seen in LASN magazine, December 2019.