Greetings Chapter Members: It is hard to believe that a year has gone by and another group of dedicated volunteers are about to take the reins as the leaders of our organization. I want to take this time to thank all the amazing people that volunteered their time, away from work, away from their families so that we as a profession could continue to grow and compete. I think it often goes unnoticed by the membership just how much work is needed to operate this organization. These volunteers don't get a reduced rate on membership, but they give up their time in dedication to the profession to complete the tasks necessary in an ever-changing professional environment. Without them, there would be no licensure, there would be less opportunities for work, there would be more competition from other professions. Without them our university programs would be less relevant, our profession would no longer be viewed as a leader in the design industry. The profession would suffer.

 

Welcome to the 11th piece of my Trustee report series where I share a few notes and items from our national organization during the last month or so. Remind people who may have lapsed in their membership to rejoin and that payment options are available. Please feel free to contact me at Trustee@FLASLA.org if you have any questions or concerns about ASLA issues.

 

NO MYSTERY to Becoming a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects This month, all Members with 10 or more continuous years of full membership received a broadcast email from ASLA indicating they are eligible for Fellowship in the Society.

 

Located on a narrow barrier island on Florida's west coast, this 4-block-long boulevard comprises the largest public green space in Boca Grande's historic core. Platted in 1897 by Florida's future governor Albert Gilchrist, the north-south boulevard bordered on both sides by expansive residential lots that ran parallel to the beach and provided views of the Gulf of Mexico.

 

CoSE's 2014 activity focused on education and sharing our insights with our sister professions. This summer, the FLASLA Committee on Sustainable Environments Co-Chair Chris Hite PLA ASLA, participated in two conference panels. Chris served on panel sponsored by the FLASLA Government Affairs committee on Saturday July 26 discussing "advocacy" at the conference in Key Largo. The panel focused on the importance of -- and our responsibility to -- advocate for our profession and the environment to our elected officials and in our communities.

 

The Owensboro Riverfront District spans approximately 1.4 miles along the southern edge of the Ohio River, including downtown, residential neighborhoods and major civic open spaces. The planners and landscape architects defined, created and implemented the residents' vision for an active riverfront, with nearly $70 million of improvements, including a federally financed river flood wall and city funded Smother's Park. This pocket city, where 96,656 people live, has invested in an array of development initiatives in health care, transportation, education, tourism and travel that focused on making the city and county more competitive in attracting residents and businesses through master planning efforts in the downtown core.

 

The principle vision behind Unity Plaza was to represent the historic uniting of two oldest public safety departments in Texas, San Antonio Police Department and San Antonio Fire Department around a central plaza. The future developments of the surrounding blocks include a future Federal and County Courthouse and supporting governmental agencies. After several workshops and stakeholder meetings it was evident that the project would serve as a central unifying space for the creation of new government district in downtown San Antonio.

 

Bedner Farms demonstrates that innovative land use policies and site design can achieve a symbiotic balance between natural, agricultural and built environments. This was achieved by the landscape architect leading a collaborative effort between government agencies and community groups to set new rules and regulations to create a first of its kind 'land use' that centers on agri-tourism and sustainable agriculture practices. Sustainable agriculture is a way of producing food that's healthy to eat, doesn't harm the environment, creates a safe work place, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer and promotes a more intimate involvement with food purchases, encouraging consumers to interact with those who cultivate, grow and ultimately sell the produce. This unique agri-experience provides the availability of fresh, local produce, while ensuring the preservation and commercial viability of farmland through education and community involvement.

 

The city of Gainesville will hold its Annual Urban Forestry Workshop on Dec. 10, 2014 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 pm at Ironwood Golf Course in Gainesville. FLASLA has teamed with the city to provide 3.5 hours of Continuing Education Credit for Landscape Architects (Provider: 2709, Course: Pending). Please contact Laurie Hall (memberatlargepm@flasla.org) for more information.