Since March 2020, our Chapter has been busy with virtual events, the biggest of which was our virtual conference held with the Maryland and Virginia ASLA Chapters. "Looking to the Future: The Landscape Architecture Profession Post-Pandemic" offered 10 PDHs over the two days. Speakers from the region and across the country shared their expertise with more than 130 registrants. ASLA Leadership briefed attendees at one lunch and Chapter leaders shared ideas on climate action at the other. In addition, the recorded program was offered for distance learning over the summer, so more members could earn continuing education credits.

 
Our annual Awards Gala was again virtual. The audience learned more about Design Shifts in the 21st Century: Deliberate Moves to Bend Toward Justice from Jenn Low, PLA, ASLA, the Communications Director at the Urban Studio and Deputy Director of the 1882 Foundation during her keynote address immediately preceding the awards presentation. Sunny Scully Alsup, FASLA was honored with the Chapter's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ten professional awards were presented at our Chapter's virtual Awards Gala and are currently on display at our online exhibition, hosted by the AIA DC Chapter's District Architecture Center. You can view the online exhibition here. Two webinars were hosted, providing case studies of each of the ten award-winning projects, and each offering 1.5PDH/HSW.

On the national level, our Chapter was thrilled to learn that our own Darwina Neal, FASLA was to be presented with The ASLA Medal at the Conference on Landscape Architecture in November. Happily, Darwina knew about the award before she passed away in September. The ASLA Medal is the highest honor ASLA can bestow upon a landscape architect whose lifetime achievements and contributions to the profession have had a unique and lasting impact on the welfare of the public and the environment. Darwina was elected ASLA President in 1984, the first woman to hold the position. She remained engaged and active in landscape architecture on all levels throughout her life Our Chapter honored her with our Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. During her acceptance speech, she talked about the importance of mentoring and encouraging others, especially women, in the profession. You can learn much more about her here. She will be greatly missed.

Our Chapter delivered webinars on a wide variety of topics, e.g. Wellness + Nature Design for Healthier Communities, Exterior Spaces Help Support Community Retail and Restaurants, and Black Lives Matter Plaza and Beyond: Public Space as a Medium for Democracy, to name several.

Two in-person, outdoor events were planned: a summer happy hour in LandDesign's garden and a fall family picnic. At our (virtual) fall planning session, our Chapter Executive Committee brainstormed ways to increase professional diversity within our Chapter and the profession. Our Executive Committee will continue to discuss ways to accomplish this new goal.