Grading and drainage is an important aspect of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE).

“We’ve heard from many exam candidates that they don’t get enough practical experience in grading and drainage in school or in the early stages of their careers,” explained Bob Van Hook, CLARB’s interim executive director. Hook. “We want to give LARE candidates the tools they need to succeed.”

CLARB partnered with University of Arkansas Associate Professor Mark Boyer to create this course. It teaches the fundamental skills to understand topography and land signatures. In the online course, Mr. Boyer gives practical lessons on calculating slopes, manipulating landforms, assigning spot elevations, accurately locating contour lines, and sizing storm drainage pipes. Boyer also walks through a number of lessons and the solutions to several sample problems.

As part of the rollout of this new course, Boyer will host an expanded hands-on training session on Friday, February 23, 2007, in Kansas City, Missouri. During the morning session he will give the “Fundamentals of Grading and Drainage” presentation, followed by a one-on-one workshop in the afternoon.