Elevation, Winter 2016

WInter

2016

in this issue + Illinois Advocacy 2016 (PAGE 1) + News (PAGE 3) + ASLA Fellows (PAGE 5) + PARK(ing) Day (PAGE 6) + Barlett Seminar Series (PAGE 9) + 2015 in Review (PAGE 10)

elevation A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS CHAPTER American Society of Landscape Architects www.il-asla.org

Illinois Advocacy 2016

By Keven Graham, FASLA

B

ased on input we have received from events like the Connections Dinner; hosting past presidents, trustees, and fellows; and from anecdotal conversations and discussions from the executive officers of the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ILASLA), there is a clear need to institute an aggressive advocacy program based on the following goals:

• Awareness of the profession by elected officials • Defense of and expansion of “The Right to Practice” issues • Development of collateral practice impact support materials • Partnership/collaboration of Midwest chapters for licensure support network • Enhanced presence in front of our representative legislators and other state level legislative events

Challenges on our Doorsteps After years of challenges, Michigan continues to face an ongoing battle to retain their licensure and their licensure board. In June of 2015, both Ohio and Indiana faced emergency challenges. Ohio faced the challenge of elimination of their licensure board, a proposal that would have placed landscape architects under the control of the Architecture Board, without representation from a landscape architect on that board. Indiana faced the potential of elimination of their licensure due to the right to work movement intent on eliminating obstacles to practice in the State. The unintended consequence, given other laws, may have actually created more road blocks for landscape architects to practice. Both Ohio and Indiana were able to fend off these attacks for the time being.

The concern is that if any of our surrounding States were to deregulate, we could be in a

position to face challenges here in Illinois.

In October of this year, the Indiana Chapter hosted a Midwest Licensure Caucus with representation from National Advocacy staff to discuss and share lessons learned on this very real issue. Illinois was invited to take part in this group and we gladly agreed to join the conversation.

State Level Advocacy Plan – Awareness One of the first elements in a strong advocacy effort beginning in 2016 will be making elected officials aware of who landscape architects are. ILASLA is identifying key legislators that we either already know and may have supported us in the past or that we can substantiate are considerate of our issues. ILASLA is working to identify a member or two for each of these key legislators and ask them to become our connection to the legislators, to get to know them [continued on page 8]

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Chapter Events

Leadership Forum March 3, 2016

Sponsored by the ILASLA Emerging Professionals As an emerging professional, one is constantly looking for that next tip or advice that may help advance their career. As a professional society, part of our duty to our members is to “pass the torch” or allow the wisdom of our senior leaders to be heard by our youngest, most eager, members. Through an open forum with four prominent leaders in our industry, we hope this event will leave our emerging professionals with a few points which they can harvest to advance their career.

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY, WINTRUST HALL HALL 1032 W SHERIDAN RD, CHICAGO, IL 60660

Celebration+

April 29, 2016

Join the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for a day of continuing education through field session and seminars; and a memorable evening celebrating this year’s most exciting and exceptional work in landscape architecture.

VENUE ONE 1034 W RANDOLPH ST CHICAGO, IL 60607 For more information visit il-asla.org

THE ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS THE MISSION OF THE ASLA IS “TO LEAD, TO EDUCATE, AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CAREFUL STEWARDSHIP, WISE PLANNING, AND ARTFUL DESIGN OF OUR CULTURAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS.” Elevation has a circulation of more than 5,000 copies and is published quarterly

by ILASLA. Edited by Kalle Butler Waterhouse and Stacey Libra, designed by Nikolas Davis and Chris Jennette, and produced by IMAGO. PRESIDENT DARRELL GARRISON, ASLA PRESIDENT-ELECT ALAN WATKINS, ASLA PAST-PRESIDENT CHRIS LANNERT, ASLA TREASURER STEVE HALBERG, ASLA SECRETARY RENEE TEVOGT, ASLA TRUSTEE BRAD MCCAULEY, ASLA EXTERNAL COMM. CHAIR ROB REULAND, ASLA INTERNAL COMM. CHAIR CHASE MORGAN, ASLA PUBLIC AWARENESS CHAIR MATT HOUSER, ASLA CELEBRATION CO-CHAIRS ELLEN SCHMIDT, ASLA SARAH DREIER, ASLA EDUCATION CHAIR KENON BOEHM, ASLA FELLOWSHIP CHAIR JENNA WHALEN, ASLA SPONSORSHIP CHAIR AMY OLSON, ASLA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUSAN RAGAISHIS

WE’VE GONE DIGITAL! This issue, as well as previous issues of Elevation and Folio, are available for download at www.il-asla.org.

TO JOIN ASLA OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: T 630 833 4516 P.O. BOX 4566 OAK BROOK, IL 60522

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ASLA Fellows This past year, two Illinois Members of the American Society of Landscape Architects were elevated to the Fellowship Council, bringing the total of Illinois Fellows to 21.

Fellowship is among the highest honors ASLA bestows on members.

Keven Graham, ASLA Planning Resources

Keven Graham, of Planning Resources, received his nomination for Service, from the Illinois Chapter. Graham’s volunteer efforts on the local, regional and national level have had a positive effect on the landscape architecture profession for 20 years. His active participation in SITES™, DuPage Habitat for Humanity, USGBC Greenbuild, the U.S. General Services Administration, Illinois Park and Recreation Association and ASLA activities has also magnified public awareness, which shapes the profession as a whole. He was instrumental in the expansion of the sustainable sites section within the LEED rating system. And he initiated and developed the Design and Professional Practice Network. He has long promoted the benefits of ASLA membership. His leadership of the Illinois Chapter and passion for the profession are inspirational. His work has significantly improved the chapter and the position it holds as a recognized and respected voice of the profession.

Richard C. Bumstead, ASLA

The University of Chicago Chicago Richard Bumstead, of the University of Chicago, received his nomination, for Leadership/Management, from the Illinois Chapter. Stewardship embodies preservation, restoration, maintenance and oversight. Bumstead’s 32-year stewardship of the University of Chicago campus in turn supports the overall mission of the institution’s teaching and research. He develops positive public awareness for the vital contributions landscapes provide, which results in appropriate maintenance, adequate funding and capital investment, environmental practices and asset management. As a result, other institutions have re-examined their own environments and practices, which enhances the role landscape has on the overall campus experience in attracting prospective students, and promoting faculty, staff, student and community collegiality. Through Bumstead’s leadership and stewardship, the university is consistently listed as one of the nation’s most beautiful campuses, and its landscape is especially noted in travel articles that highlight the surrounding neighborhood of Hyde Park.

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Planning Resources Parklet in Wheaton

PARK(ing) Day

By Cynthia Anderson, ASLA

I

LASLA members were among the thousands of participants worldwide who built a “parklet” for a day on Friday, September 19, also known as PARK(ing) Day. The basic idea is simple: using a parking space to create a tiny park, or parklet, in an unexpected place to highlight the importance of open green spaces in the city. The idea took root in San Francisco in 2005 and in the intervening decade has extended to more than 1000 parklets in 160 cities in 35 countries. This year, ASLA chapters across the country took part, with PARK(ing) Day parklets from Baltimore to Seattle and plenty of points between.

PARK(ing) Day spaces pop up in big cities and in smaller villages. In Chicago, all that is required to create a parklet is to feed the meter for the duration of the parklet’s existence, while in other municipalities there may be a more involved approval process for firms to negotiate. However, once visitors see and experience the parklets, they tend to embrace the idea, the space,

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and look forward to participating in future PARK(ing) Days. Here are just three local examples of how ILASLA members celebrated public open spaces regardless of size this year, collaborating with contractors and growers to build out parking space-sized parks.

THE BASIC IDEA IS SIMPLE: USING A PARKING SPACE TO CREATE A TINY PARK, OR PARKLET, IN AN UNEXPECTED PLACE TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF OPEN GREEN SPACES IN THE CITY. In the heart of downtown Wheaton, Planning Resources Inc. built a parklet at Main and Wesley Streets with the support and assistance of Midwest Groundcovers, Unilock, Landscape Forms, Fisher Burton Company, Nutoys Leisure Products, All Bry Construction, Home Depot, and Fox

Bowl. Entertainment and environment merged in this tiny park, with games, seating space, and information on the role of pollinators in the landscape. The Mayor of Wheaton visited the parklet and will encourage more participation in future PARK(ing) Days in the city.

In Plainfield, Upland Design Ltd. braved the threat of rain to build their parklet.

This space, again in the center of town, featured books from the Plainfield Public Library and a play zone that was extensively tested before the big day. Visitors had the chance to lounge in the “planted” spaces and read or just relax with a friend.

As a winner of the “Party in the Parklet” drawing, Upland Design also provided snacks to people who stopped by the space.

Although rain ultimately cut the day short, PARK(ing) Day in Plainfield was deemed a success and provided a great time for designers and visitors alike.

The Lannert Group partnered with the City of Geneva, Midwest Groundcovers,

Taking a breather in the Planning Resources Parklet

Great seating at Upland Design Parklet in Plainfield

Fiora’s, and The Collins Group to build their PARK(ing) Day space on Third Street in Geneva. The poster featuring the PARK(ing) Day graphics sparked conversations with passers-by and created a chance for designers to engage with local residents and officials. Part of the purpose of the parklet is to open these avenues for conversation about the importance of public open spaces for the livability of cities and for public health.

The Lannert Group Parking Day in Geneva

Visitors to Upland Design space in Plainfield

Mark your calendars for PARK(ing) Day 2016! Always the third Friday in September, next year the date is September 16th.

Some tips from this year: although holding a parklet space in Chicago is straightforward, other cities have different processes, so start conversations with your local municipalities early; engage with suppliers and contractors and with local businesses to join in the PARK(ing) Day activities; and a pleasant place to stop, sit, and spend a few moments is always welcome.

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Illinois Advocacy 2016

[continued from page 1]

personally. As we continue to engage with our members about the importance of advocacy, we will prepare a regular Advocacy 411 for our chapter publications and online presence to showcase the work being done by Illinois landscape architects and to show measurable impacts landscape architects in Illinois are making.

Another key component of our State advocacy efforts will be growing the advocacy knowledge of University students in the two local landscape architecture programs to assist us in reaching a larger spectrum of legislators and to develop future leaders for our chapter.

Advocacy Plan – Right -ToPractice While the primary end goal is defense of our law, the Illinois landscape architectural community should be striving to open additional opportunities for the right-to-practice. For many years, the Capital Development Board has not recognized landscape architects as a leader on projects. Our prime objective will be to make the general public and legislators aware of our “value”, in terms of both economic impact and the impact on quality of life. Through the efforts of work identified above and the support of all, we can pursue these and other impor-

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WHILE THE PRIMARY END GOAL IS DEFENSE OF OUR LAW, THE ILLINOIS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL COMMUNITY SHOULD BE STRIVING TO OPEN ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RIGHT-TO-PRACTICE. tant advocacy endeavors. The Illinois Chapter of ASLA is dedicated to the protection of our State Licensure Act and to the advancement of the profession.

Barlett Seminar Series Water, water… not everywhere If Shawn Kelly, FASLA, could ensure two takeaways from his recent Bartlett Seminars presentation, they would be the understanding that 1) we’re running out of potable water and 2) landscape architects need to put water scarcity front and center of every project they do; it’s a health, safety, and welfare concern. Kelly is founding principal of Kelly Design Group, in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, and director of the University of Wisconsin landscape architecture department’s Center for Sustainable Design.

Freshwater Loss Kelly used the state of the Ogallala Aquifer, located beneath the Great Plains, to demonstrate the gravity of the water situation.

Covering 174,000 square miles, it is one of the world’s largest underground sources of fresh water, underlying parts of eight states.

Because withdrawals from the aquifer exceed

its natural recharge, the Ogallala is projected to be dry within 50 years. Once empty, it would take 6,000 years to replenish naturally.

That would be a problem for the nearly two million people who rely on it for drinking water and for the farmers who rely on it to produce nearly one-fifth of the nation’s annual supply of wheat, corn, cotton, and beef.

Value of Green Infrastructure Kelly emphasized the value of green infrastructure as a vehicle for managing, harvesting, and reusing stormwater. He said it’s important to find engineers who can support the idea of green infrastructure and make them your partners. He also pointed out that you always need to think about sediment in rainwater harvesting systems.

How will you remove the sediment without disrupting the system? He suggested making sediment-collection spots as visible and accessible as possible.

Putting Plants to Work Kelly also highlighted the role plants can play in improving water quality by removing pollutants – covering the three “easiest” methods of phytoremediation, in which the plants themselves do not become toxic.

• Phytovolatilization. Plants pull pollutants from the soil or water, and transform them by causing them to evaporate into the atmosphere, typically as more benign substances.

• Rhizodegradation. Within the oxygenated rhizosphere of the plant roots, associated soil microbes and plant roots symbiotically degrade pollutants.

• Phytodegradation. Plants that take up, store, and degrade soil contaminants.

Kelly encouraged attendees to familiarize themselves with, and be inspired by, the work of Herbert Dreiseitl, an internationally acclaimed sculptor, landscape architect, and urban planner focused on sustainable water management.

Phytoremediating islands. Photo: Kelly Design Group

To see the full lecture go to il-asla.org/videos

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ILASLA 2015 IN REVIEW In 2015, the Illinois Chapter played host to the ASLA National Meeting and Expo. At the same time, local initiatives continued to gain momentum; membership grew substantially, continuing education regulations were implemented, an Advocacy Plan was crafted, past leaders were recognized, public awareness campaigns increased and engagement was measurably high.

Membership grew by 17% as the chapter offered increased opportunities.

Illinois spent its first year in the ranks of 35 other states now requiring continuing education credits for registered landscape architects. To support members, the Illinois Chapter made a substantial push to provide affordable educational opportunities, offering 35 credits during the year.

As the Illinois Title Act prepares to sunset in 2020, a long-term Advocacy Plan was developed to assist in the education and awareness of issues to members.

Additionally, Keven Graham, FASLA has stepped into the role of Advocacy Chair.

For the first time, past trustees, presidents and all fellows of the ILASLA chapter were invited to dine and discuss current issues in the chapter at a Leadership Dinner. The evening served as a reminder of the rich history of the chapter, a touchpoint for going forward, and the availability of leadership talent in the state.

Engagement was strengthened through networking events and partnerships that traversed the industry along with several very active Public Awareness campaigns. Consistent communication with the chapter supported engagement. A new micro-site, ilaslanow.org, was added to provide timely information about Celebration+ and to supplement the existing website. Social media ramped up and is seeing a boost in followers. In addition, the regular publications continued: a weekly e-newsletter – Stream, monthly e-newsletter – Vista, quarterly journal – Elevation and annual awards book – Folio, which celebrates statewide landscape architecture winners.

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28

%

72

CHICAGO MEMBERS

%

SUBURBAN

& STATE-WIDE

MEMBERSHIP

GROWTH

17

%

2015 2014

504

MEMBERS

ACTIVE

MEMBERS

35 CE CREDITS

384 FULL

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

OFFERED THROUGH ILASLA

3

Architectural Newspaper, Design Opportunities monthly journal and Designers & Books On-line Book Fair

ASSOCIATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

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What do you get out of joining Illinois ASLA? By becoming a member of ASLA, you’ll join over 18,000 other landscape architecture professionals - throughout all 50 U.S. states, U.S. territories, and 68 countries around the world! As a member of the Illinois Chapter, you’ll receive our monthly email newsletter, Dispatch, our quarterly journal, Elevation, and our annual awards book, folio, and be invited to numerous professional events throughout the state all year ‘round. www.il-asla.org

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