|
Editor's Note
Stephanie Stroud
We've been trying to get people outside for years. We use our imagination, drawing people to the outdoors with designs featuring texture, color, and fragrance, beauty that is alluring and techniques that make visitors feel safe and comfortable. We do research and outreach to help the public get outside and get moving to improve their health and well-being to combat the obesity crisis in our country. We find the intersection of art and the environment to intrigue and leave people with a sense of awe each time they go outside. And then, something else happens: Nintendo releases a game, called Pokemon Go, and suddenly people are outdoors and exercising, chasing virtual monsters in parks, on trails, and in their front yards. Some people are exploring places they may never have set foot otherwise, all thanks to a video game.
Read more >>
Park(ing) Day is Back on September 16
For one day this September, citizens around the globe will participate in PARK(ing) Day, temporarily turning on-street parking spaces into public places. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness about the importance of walkable, livable, healthy communities and to re-think how our public streets can be used. As landscape architects, this is a huge opportunity to showcase our profession and what we do as a whole. As such, WASLA would like to see strong community participation throughout the state. Are you interested in the idea of PARK(ing) Day, but not sure how to start "putting the wheels in motion?" WASLA is here to help you with the process.
Read more >>
Congratulations to UW National ASLA and WASLA Student Award Winners
A jury of WASLA members reviewed four students (2 BLA and 2 MLA) selected by the Department of Landscape Architecture at UW using ASLA's selection criteria on May 21, 2016. Congratulations to these exemplary students!
Read more >>
Trustee's Report of Mid-Year Meeting: May 20-21, Washington DC
Membership Dues
An evaluation of dues by the Finance and Investments Committee and the Member Services Committee was presented to the Board of Trustees. The committees' recommendation is a dues increase of five (5) percent or fifteen ($15.00) dollars, effective January 1, 2017, for Full, International, and Affiliate Members. No dues increase would be scheduled in 2018. The Board approved the dues increase because it is tracking with national cost increases.
Read more >>
Work Progressing on the Center for Landscape Architecture
ASLA staff reports that work is progressing well on the construction for the world-class Center for Landscape Architecture. ASLA staff attends biweekly construction meetings and tours the construction site with the general contractor, the construction manager, and the architect.
Read more >>
Significant Cuts to Federal Programs
Last week, both House and Senate committees considered their fiscal year 2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bills, which made significant cuts to many Department of Interior and environmental programs. Most notably, the current House proposal includes only $322 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) - a 30 percent cut from last fiscal year. ASLA sent a letter to all members of the House Appropriations Committee urging them to include at least $450 million for the LWCF, which is equal to FY16 funding levels.
ASLA Supports Physical Activity Recommendations for Americans
ASLA joined several partner organizations in sending a letter to selected members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health to express support for H.R. 1499, the Physical Activity Recommendations for Americans Act. The Act would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide ongoing research and guidance for best practices and issues related to physical activity for children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. The bill would also require federal agencies to promote the recommendations when carrying out any federal health program.
Grants to Support Neighborhood Revitalization Plans
The iAdvocate Network was activated to inform members about the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) $120,000,000 grant opportunity for the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program. Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants support the implementation of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans that are expected to replace distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality mixed-income housing responsive to the needs of the surrounding neighborhood; and improve education outcomes and intergenerational mobility for youth through services and supports delivered directly to youth and their families. The deadline for grant applications was June 28.
Are You "Ready to Rumble?"
Architects Without Borders is an organization in Seattle that brings together volunteer architects and designers to collaborate with underserved communities. Together, the community and volunteers design and implement ecologically sensitive, culturally-appropriate and life-changing projects. Now, AWB is asking you for your expertise to create places of resiliency for when the "big one" hits:
Will you be ready when the next earthquake strikes Seattle? According to "The Really Big One" published in The New Yorker in July 2015, the Cascadia Subduction Zone, spanning from Northern California to Southern Canada, has a 1 in 3 chance of a big earthquake (8.6 magnitude) and a 1 in 10 chance of a very big earthquake (9.2 magnitude) in the next 50 years.
Read more >>
16th Annual River Restoration Symposium: Call for Proposals
Alert!
RRNW is pleased to announce that we will issue a Call for Session Proposals and Presentation Abstracts for our 16th Annual River Restoration Symposium at Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, Washington on February 7-9, 2017.
Read more >>
Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area: #YesGreenwayNHA!
Thank you to those who continue to support to designate the Mountains to Sound Greenway as a National Heritage Area. There has been some exciting news.
On June 15th, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on the Greenway National Heritage Area bill. The hearing moves this bill one step closer to reality, and with the continued efforts of Senators Cantwell and Murray, and Congressmen Dave Reichert and Adam Smith, it is hoped to have the bill pass this session.
Read more >>
Ken Struckmeyer Student Scholarship Endowment Fund
After 40+ years of service to Washington State University and his students, Ken Struckmeyer has retired. His jovial and caring presence on campus is greatly missed. To honor Ken's career as professor, coach, mentor, and colleague; an endowment has been established in his name, the Ken Struckmeyer Student Scholarship Endowment Fund. The endowment is awarded to students who are aspiring declared majors in landscape architecture.
Read more >>
Support the Kenichi Nakano Endowed Scholarship Fund for Landscape Architecture
 For over four decades, Kenichi Nakano graced the Pacific Northwest with exceptionally subtle and inviting modernist design, generously contributed to community and civic life, and mentored generations of students and professionals of all disciplines.
On August 8, 2012, we lost our teacher, mentor, and friend all too soon.
Your gift in memory of Kenichi to the Kenichi Nakano Endowed Scholarship Fund will leave a lasting legacy and support outstanding students in the University of Washington's Department of Landscape Architecture.
Read more >>
UW Landscape Architecture Internship/ Practicum Portal
UWLA PAC, Internship + Research Committee
The Landscape Department at the University of Washington has been working hard on providing its students with valuable resources that can better connect them with local employers for internships and practicum opportunities.
Prior to developing these resources we sent a survey to our local employer list to get feedback on what firms wanted and if they would use specific resources. We took this information and over the summer developed a space where employers can submit internships and practicums and positions to a page that is only accessible by our students.
Read more >>
|
