The "Leadership in Landscape Architecture: Research & Results" panel (seated from left) was Susan Goltsman, FASLA, president/principal of MIG, Inc., Mia Lehrer, MLA, FASLA, of Mia Lehrer + Associates, Los Angeles and Stephanie Landregan, PLA, FASLA LEED AP, director for the landscape architecture and horticulture/gardening programs at UCLA Extension.

Robert Cardoza, FASLA, founder and CEO of NUVIS, commented to the landscape architecture panel that the profession needs to find a balance between research and the creative design side.

The crowd at the LAF Scholarship fundraising event enjoyed a convivial evening at Parkers' Lighthouse at the end of the Shoreline Village boardwalk in Long Beach Harbor.

On Thursday evening, Feb. 13, after the first day session of the L.A. Expo in Long Beach, Calif., there was a charity event to raise money for the scholarship fund of the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) https://www.lafoundation.org.

The event took place on the top floor of Parker's Lighthouse, with views to Long Beach Harbor and the Queen Mary. The event kicked off with some drinks and mingling, then an excellent buffet. Once everyone was settled, George Schmok, publisher of Landscape Communications, Inc., welcomed the guests, thanked the sponsors of the event"?uGold"?uValleyCrest Landscape Companies; Silver"?uIronsmith, SWG Trees; Bronze"?u Scofield and the patron sponsors: USA Shade & Fabric Structures, Old Town Fiberglass and Rain Bird spoke briefly about the success of the first day of the LA Expo. Landscape Communications Inc. (www.landscapearchitect.com) publishes Landscape Architect and Specifier News (LASN), Landscape Contractor / Design Build Maintain (LC/DBM), landscapearchitect Weekly, and three landscape shows: Landscape Architects' Expo (LA EXPO), Landscape Expo (TLE), both in Long Beach, and the new 2014 Landscape Expo in San Mateo, Calif., slated for Oct. 1-2 at the San Mateo Event Center.

Mr. Schmok then introduced Barbara Deutsch, FASLA, executive director of LAF.

Ms. Deutsch thanked the guests for supporting landscape architecture scholarships. She spoke about the necessity and importance of landscape architects quantifying their designs, i.e., explaining to city councils, planning boards and clients the rationale for their sustainable landscape designs, based on scientific metrics and case studies. Just such an interactive resource is available in LAF's online Landscape Performance Series, tools for designers, agencies and advocates to evaluate performance and make the case for sustainable landscape solutions.

Ms. Deutsch then introduced the evening's panel discussion, "Leadership in Landscape Architecture: Research & Results," featuring Susan Goltsman, FASLA, president/principal of MIG, Inc., Stephanie Landregan, PLA, FASLA LEED AP, director for the landscape architecture and horticulture/gardening programs at UCLA Extension, and Mia Lehrer, MLA, FASLA, of Mia Lehrer + Associates, Los Angeles.

Mia Lehrer reiterated the importance of landscape architects quantifying their designs, and said LAF is giving us the information landscape architects need to quantify what they do.

Stephanie Landregan related she tells her students that their designs will help "save the world," i.e., creating environment-friendly, sustainable environments.

Susan Goltsman thought fact-based research was important, but that landscape architects also need to partner with researchers and vendors.

The audience had a number of comments for the panel. Marty McPhee of Park West Landscape, Inc., encouraged landscape architects not to be afraid to ask the contractor or engineer if a design can be built.