2021 started out as 2020 had ended, with much of life taking place virtually. Despite this, the New York Chapter continued to provide valuable connections for our members. To lighten the mood and bring people together just for fun, we hosted a trivia night in February. We had a lot of fun as teams took each other on to answer challenging questions and test our knowledge of NYC.
In March we held our semiannual 4 CEUs and a beer. Although the event was virtual, we added fun to the typical Zoom happy hour by bringing in a brew master from Other Half Brewery in Brooklyn. Prior to the event, four handpicked pints were sent to interested participants for a virtual tasting led by the brew master. The group had a lot of fun as we worked our way through all four pints!

 
As we got into the Spring of 2021, the mood became more hopeful in NY. When Little Island, NYC's newest park, opened in late May, we were able to host a behind-the-scenes tour, our first in person event in 15 months! We had several tour guides including the Project Executive and the landscape architecture design leads from Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects. We had a beautiful evening touring this unique park and catching up with our colleagues and friends.
In June our Education Committee held a student career roundtable to assist graduating college students as they navigate the various aspects of the profession. Students had the opportunity to move through four breakout rooms to meet with professionals from various areas of the industry: non-profit, business, private sector and designer. The event was a great success, and we anticipate holding similar events in the future.
Our Education Committee also took part in the "Gear UP" high school program at the New York Botanical Garden, a program to "inspire the next generation of Conservationists". Our Education Chairpersons lead a three week program on landscape architecture. The students learned about the profession, developed site plans and presented their projects. The students were enthusiastic, driven and inspired by the program.
In June, ASLA-NY launched a plant research initiative for professionals to collectively expand and share their knowledge of NYC plants. The research group is co-lead by three local professionals and meets for walks at different locations in NYC. To date, the group has met at Pier 26 and Brooklyn Bridge Park. The group is open to both members and non-members who are interested in expanding their knowledge and awareness of plant systems in the profession of landscape architecture.
In the summer of 2020 our chapter formed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group. The goals of the group have started to take shape and in July we held our first DEI training session for the board and working group. Three more sessions, including a Town Hall open to everyone, are scheduled through the end of the year.
In June we were proud to announce that 3 members of the New York chapter were part of ASLA's 2021 fellows. Recipients from the New York Chapter are Elizabeth J. Kennedy, Principal of Elizabeth Kennedy Landscape Architect, PLLC; Jamie Maslyn Larson, Principal at Lionheart Places LLC, and Catherine Seavitt Nordenson, City College of New York. Earlier this year our chapter was also proud to announce that Karen Philips was awarded the 2021 LAF Medal. The LAF Medal is conveyed to a landscape architect for distinguished work in applying the principles of sustainability to landscapes over a career.
The 2021 Olmsted Medal was awarded to the Trust for Public Land's NYC Playground Program which has built more than 214 green playgrounds, making it possible for more than 4.2 million New Yorkers for the first time to live within ten minutes of a playground, throughout the five boroughs.
The New York Chapter is committed to providing an inclusive network to all Landscape Architects in our area. We are looking forward to exciting events in the Fall including the President's Dinner, scheduled for November 11 at Tribeca 360!