Events

Visit the WASLA Event Calendar for more information on events.

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WASLA Board of Directors

President
Mike Faulkner, ASLA

President Elect
Rachel Gleeson, ASLA

Trustee
Tim Slazinik, ASLA

Treasurer
Su Wanqin, ASLA

Member at Large

Cresha Wee, ASLA

Member at Large, Eastern WA
Dan Cronan, ASLA

Member at Large, Western WA
Rhiannon Neuville, ASLA

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Hello WASLA Members,

 I recently had the opportunity to attend the ASLA National Conference in New Orleans alongside our Trustee, Tim Slazinik, and our President-Elect, Rachel Gleeson. It was an inspiring and energizing experience—connecting with chapter leaders from across the country, hearing from ASLA leadership about how we can amplify our voice and advocate for the profession together, and earning a good number of CEUs in the process.

One of the highlights was the powerful keynote by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who spoke candidly about the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the city’s efforts to rebuild smarter, more equitably, and with resilience at the forefront. His message was both sobering and motivating, a reminder of the role landscape architects can play in shaping stronger, more prepared communities.

 Throughout the conference, we had the chance to explore evolving practices and perspectives in landscape architecture, and of course, it was a joy to reconnect with the national LA community, vendors, old friends, and colleagues. Tim and I especially enjoyed meeting the emerging professionals and students who received last year’s WASLA Conference Stipend—it was great to hear about their experiences and to find a shaded patio spot where we could relax and chat away from the heat and humidity.

New Orleans was lively, rich in culture, and full of energy—but flying back into SeaTac and seeing our mountains, trees, and the Sound was a welcome sight.

 I’m also happy to share that our 2025–2026 WASLA Board is now official! Joining me are:

• Rachel Gleeson – President-Elect
• Tim Slazinik – Trustee
• Wanqin Su – Treasurer
• Creesha Wee – Statewide Member-at-Large
• Rhiannon Neuville – Western Member-at-Large
• Dan Cronan – Eastern Member-at-Large

 We’re already getting oriented and starting to plan for the year ahead—including announcing some upcoming events in the months to come, as well as preparations for the 2026 WASLA Conference in Tacoma.

In the meantime, I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather, fall colors, and that familiar shift into the rainy season. As always, thank you for being a part of this incredible community.

 Warm regards,

 Mike Faulkner

The WASLA 2026 Spring Conference will be held at the Tacoma Marriott Downtown on May 7th and 8th, 2026!

 More information to come soon!

With the LEED exam changing in 2026, upcoming LEED training workshops are an excellent way for members to build their expertise in sustainability and earn their credentials before the new, more challenging exam is implemented.

 LEED Green Associate Certification: Fall Enrollment

 LEED is the #1 Sustainability Certification: LEED is a scorecard to rate Green Buildings, but people can also become LEED accredited highlighting their expertise about what it takes to work and build sustainably.

• Valuable Credential: Adds an industry-recognized certification that boosts employability.
• Open to All: Works for students and professionals with no prior experience required as our workshop has helped over 13,000 pass their exam.
• Time Sensitive: Members who pass before April 2026 will not be required to take the updated and challenging new exam.
• Affordable: Discounted pricing makes it accessible for your members.

These workshops focus not just on passing the test, but on providing a deep understanding of the material to ensure that your knowledge is solid and practical. This approach significantly improves your chances of success, especially considering the exam's historically low pass rate.

 LEED Green Associate (GA) Training - Webinar and Online self-paced options:

These live webinars can be streamed on any of the following dates:

1. November 15, 2025 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EST
2. December 20, 2025 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EST
3. January 17, 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EST
4. February 14, 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EST - OR -
5. On-demand recordings completed at your own pace

The above options (1-5) are all identical.

Register for a live online seminar or start today with our on-demand recorded workshop completed anytime at your own pace here - https://leadinggreen.com/online

 Both options offer comprehensive training, practice exams, valuable tips, and required textbooks - all led by a USGBC Faculty member. It's the most efficient and affordable way to master the material without breaking the bank and advance your career in a sustainable direction!

Cost: $200 with the coupon code sust for $100 off! (Non-members $300)

Save your seat by registering here for our live or self-paced options - https://leadinggreen.com/online

Please contact the instructor Lorne directly with any questions at [email protected] and for those new to LEED, here is a short introduction to it - https://youtu.be/X9FUJpIW9bI

Mayor Bruce Harrell is recruiting an Urban Designer to join the Seattle Design Commission. You’ll fill the remaining term of an outgoing Commissioner that ends in March 2027. You will also be eligible for 2 - two-year terms starting in March 2027. We are looking for an urban designer interested in elevating the design of City capital projects (parks, community centers, fire stations, etc.) and projects seeking long-term or permanent use of a street or alley. Experience in publicly funded development, policy, or plans is preferred. 

Established in 1968, the Seattle Design Commission advises City officials on design excellence in City funded capital improvement projects, in the City right-of-way, or constructed with City funds. The Commission also advises the Mayor, City Council, and City departments on projects or policies that impact Seattle’s public realm. You can see the scope of our work at www.seattle.gov/designcommission. 

The Seattle Design Commission has 10 members comprised of design professionals including architects, engineers, and designers. Commissioners provide recommendations to project managers and design teams that develop project designs. Commissioners align their meetings and work around collaborative and constructive recommendations that will elevate design outcomes. 

During the term as a Commissioner, Commissioners may not contract with the City on any capital project that would be reviewed by the Commission. Commissioners spend approximately 10 hours a month in Commission meetings, held during the day on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. 

To be considered, please transmit a resume and letter of interest by November 24, 2025 to Mayor Bruce Harrell, c/o Michael Jenkins, Executive Director, Seattle Design Commission. Michael’s email is at [email protected].

Film Screening at WSU 

SITTING STILL: a 90-minute documentary film Directed, Produced & Written by Gina M. Angelone Featuring Laurie Olin 

WSU Landscape Architecture will be hosting a film screening on Tuesday, October 28th, 5:00 pm in Goertzen Hall 21. 

This event is FREE and open to the public!  No RSVP required. 

SITTING STILL is an original documentary that focuses on one of the world’s most preeminent landscape architects and his profoundly social vision. Hailed as a modern-day Olmsted, Laurie Olin has helped transform the design of public space, revitalize the American city, and pave the way for future design leaders. This portrait of an artist is told through a prism of issues which have defined Olin’s life and work for the past fifty years: urbanization and our lost connection to nature, economic marginalization, and the grave importance of humanity in design.

SITTING STILL gets inside the mind of a prophetic and visionary urban designer to see what he sees. In a time when global values increasingly reflect “profit over people,” Olin's vision has always been to create a more democratic and egalitarian society through healthy, shared public space. SITTING STILL invites the voices of other design luminaries into the conversation, including preeminent architects Frank Gehry and Billie Tsien, and esteemed landscape designer and artist, Walter Hood, among others. According to these global thinkers and designers, environmental and human stakes have never been higher, and the most pressing challenges of the natural environment and social disunity can be addressed in how we think about the marks we make upon the land. 

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/pdAn70Kznjc?si=anlMbJVJ04FNyOHc

ASLA invites landscape architecture students to join Spark Talks: Beyond the Classroom – Bridging Studio to Reality, a dynamic five-part webinar series designed to help bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. Starting on October 23, these short, engaging conversations bring together emerging professionals—many of whom were students not long ago—to share their experiences, lessons, and insights about transitioning into the workforce. 

Each session explores a different facet of post-graduate life. The series begins with “Office Life 101,” a high-level overview of what to expect after graduation, featuring voices from large firms, small studios, and public practice. Next, “Marketing Skills/Business Development” offers a behind-the-scenes look at how professionals attract clients and build business, with insight from leaders at SmithGroup. The third session, “Working with Interdisciplinary Teams” explores collaboration across design disciplines and shares how landscape architects can make their voices heard and thrive in complex project teams. “Project Post-Completion” follows, diving into what happens once a project is built, with Terremoto sharing lessons from their Los Angeles and San Francisco offices about stewardship, funding, and long-term care. Finally, “Life Outside of the Office” wraps up the series with candid conversations about maintaining balance and passion beyond the workday, offering practical advice for sustaining creativity and well-being in a busy professional life.

This series is an invaluable opportunity for students to hear real-world experiences from those who’ve recently made the leap from studio to practice—helping you prepare, connect, and spark inspiration for your own journey beyond the classroom. 

REGISTER HERE

Members now have access to free monthly PDH live webinars and recordings via ASLA Online Learning. | Read More

A very warm welcome to our new and renewing WASLA Members:

Abbegale Monson | Calvin Dutton | Caroline Antush | Clara Kitt | Connor Bentley| Corbin Atack | Francis Fong | Greg Pape | Jeremy Woland | Josee Stetich | Karolyn Maeda | Katherine Hilde | Kelsey Bai | Michelle Mouw | Raisa Baker | Todd Yingling

Interested in becoming a member? 
Learn more about benefits of membership.
Join today!

• Landscape Architectural Designer - Gregory Landscape Architecture

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• October 28 - WSU LA Film Screening - More Info

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