|
WASLA Statement of Support
As Landscape Architects, we must be stewards for our environment, community and neighbors. Landscapes play a vital role in society and there are many opportunities in our State for us to create equitable communities both in physical space and within the offices and workplaces of the A&E industry. As designers of communal space, we must create welcoming, fair, and democratic spaces that serve black communities without bias. We must listen to and stand in support of black communities, and pledge to fight against the perpetuation of inequality and institutionalized racism.
We can do better. WASLA supports the statement made by National ASLA that our continued dedication to ensuring equity, inclusion, and justice are central tenets of our profession.
WASLA understands that actions are critically necessary to make change and the first step occurs with dialogue, discussions, and ideas as we strategically develop a plan for action.
We welcome member participation within our Public Relations, Outreach and/or Advocacy committees as we work together, as a Chapter, towards better representing all members in Washington State, increasing diverse representation of future landscape architecture professionals, and expanding equitable opportunities within landscape architecture as a whole.
We invite all members to participate in the dialogues and actions required to progress and evolve our chapter. This change will not come from one but from all. Whether it is through volunteering to bolster our efforts and reach, or simply through sharing your thoughts and creative ideas regarding inclusion, we want to hear from you.
Please send your interest or comments to: [email protected]
WASLA Member Spotlight: Meet Zochil Castro
Who I Am
I’m a 2019 WSU grad from the School of Design and Construction’s Landscape Architecture undergraduate program. I’m from Pasco, Washington and I’m currently residing in Pullman, Washington. I have an ongoing love for outdoor environments that has been growing since my childhood. My love for the environment began by living near hundreds of apple trees on an orchard in the northern Columbia Basin. My childhood was enveloped by the growth and care for apple trees that produced good fruit to feed people near and far.
Why Did I Want To Become a Landscape Architect?
I initially wanted to become a Landscape Architect to be a part of a newer industry of sustainable development and design. I found myself overwhelmed by the many things that are negatively impacting our earth, and I became passionate about doing something to combat the effects of climate change. Throughout my education I found myself becoming more concerned with the impacts climate change is having on people and of the sacred needs of many communities. I want to become a Landscape Architect to be a civil servant to people. I find that focusing on the importance of community can motivate people to serve one another in caring for small though important needs. I want to design spaces where people can gather and build community because I believe a big change starts out as many small changes.
If I Could Design Anything, My Dream Project Would Be…
I would love to design for families and underserved communities! I’m motivated to design for the need of others. I’m blessed with a community of my own at my local church, and I want to share the knowledge I’ve been given and be an active steward in creating positive change. I don’t have a specific project in mind, but I’m ready to learn how I can serve to meet specific needs through Landscape Architecture.
How do you think design and the practice of Landscape Architecture can create positive change in our world?
I believe Landscape Architects have the capacity to design with methodical beauty. What I’ve been taught in my formal education has opened my creative perspective to the endless potential a Landscape Architect can have on local and global scales. We have the capacity and ability to understand a wide variety of concepts and ideologies that help us to design for people’s health, safety, and welfare. Design helps us to understand how to connect quantitative information about natural processes that support people’s quality of life in a multitude of ways.
Saving Pollinators One Garden at a Time: Webinar
Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are on the decline worldwide, but you can make a difference for them right in your own garden. Celebrate Pollinator Week and join National Wildlife Federation naturalist David Mizejewski for a fun and informative talk on how to plant a beautiful garden that also helps declining pollinators. David will introduce the different kinds of pollinators, give his expert tips on how to make your own space pollinator-friendly and show you how you can get it recognized as an official “Certified Wildlife Habitat.”
Come join us on Thursday, June 25 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, EST
Click Here to register.
King County Volunteering Opportunities
King County Parks volunteer events will resume on June 20! Our program team has been hard at work building practices to ensure that our events meet all the public health recommendations and guidelines. We are so excited to get back into the field with you!
One of the biggest changes to our event process this summer is the introduction of our new Registration Portal to view and sign up for events online. Visit Volunteer - King County Parks to learn more and view projects.
Hiking in the Time of Corona Virus
Hiking is back on but please be aware of the realities of Covid. The Washington Trails Association has information for how you can stay safe and have fun out in the wilderness during changing times. Click here for more info.
Washington State Landscape Architect Board
Welcome New Board Member Curtis LaPierre:
We are happy to welcome Curtis LaPierre, PLA, as the newest member of the Washington State Board of Licensure for Landscape Architects.
Mr. LaPierre has over 30 years of experience as a landscape architect. His work includes transportation and park design projects that frequently involve ecological restoration and visual resource analysis. Mr. LaPierre earned his license in Washington in 1988 and holds licenses in Oregon, Idaho, California, and Alaska as well. Until recently, he served as the ASLA Washington Chapter Trustee.
He is replacing outgoing board member, Karen Kiest, who, in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, graciously served the board well past her appointment expiration. The Board thanks Ms. Kiest for her years of service to the Board and the citizens of Washington.
Upcoming Board Meeting:
The date of the next board meeting is Thursday, July 30, 2020. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak (coronavirus.wa.gov), this meeting will be virtual by either telephone or video conferencing. Staff will post details to the board webpage when they are available.
Information regarding past and upcoming board meetings is available on our website at https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/landscapearchitects/laboard.html.
Upcoming L.A.R.E. administrations:
For the latest information on the Landscape Architect Registration Exams, please visit the Council of Landscape Architect Board’s (CLARB) Covid-19 Update and FAQ page at www.clarb.org/home/covid-19.
ASLA Membership During COVID-19
Many of our community are seeing work hours diminish or disappear with projects being postponed, moving at a glacial pace, or at a standstill. Although we have hope things will start moving forward again, many budgets will be tight for many months.
Why spend money on ASLA dues?
We are stronger when we move forward together. That is why. Lobbying for project funding, public awareness, professional education, defending licensure, communication about work opportunities all still need to happen to ensure our profession continues to grow. Most of all, as we have learned during isolation; we need each other.
Stay connected. Join or renew ASLA now https://www.wasla.org/the-value-of-membership.
Current WASLA Job Postings
Job Title
|
Company
|
Post Date
|
| Landscape Architect/Designer |
Board & Vellum, LLC |
6/11/2020 |
Support Endowed Scholarships
Ken Struckmeyer Student Scholarship Endowment Fund
Kenichi Nakano Endowed Scholarship Fund for Landscape Architecture
See website for more images + stories.
|
