February Newsletter — New York Upstate Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects

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Awards Season is Here!

Friday March 5 | 2021 Annual Awards Celebration
Please join us to recognize the projects demonstrating excellence in Landscape Architecture and honor our Chapter’s Distinguished Professionals, Distinguished Students.

NEW THIS YEAR - Enjoy the virtual event from the comfort of your home. This year we will be celebrating virtually, but to make things a bit special, we will be sending a special package to enjoy during the event to those who register on time.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-awards-celebration-ny-upstate-chapter-asla-tickets-137324199377

Awards Premier Sponsor

Awards Co-Sponsors

Awards Supporters

Please consider donating items for this year's Scholarship Fund Raffle!

Donors will be responsible for emailing/mailing their donation to the winner so please consider gift cards/certificates or small items.
If donating a gift card/certificate, please consider choosing a business that offers online sales or has locations in all of our chapter areas (FYI - prizes will be selected at random).
Please let your section chair know of your donation by 2/17, so we can compile and advertise the raffle items before the event
No alcohol or gift cards/certificates to businesses that sell only alcohol (NYS rule)
Please provide a description of the item, photo if available, item value, donor's name, donor's section
Please contact Molly Vendura with questions at mvendura@VenduraLA.com

Upcoming Events

Wednesday February 17 | 5pm
Let's Talk Native Plants Webinar Series - Panel 4, Designing with Plants

This is the fourth panel of our roundtable series, following ‘Why Natives?’ and ‘Building Your Plant List’ and Designing with Plants.So you’ve carefully planned and built a beautiful landscape, how do you ensure its success? The panelists will share their experience and tips for developing specifications that are effective and enforceable, as well as discuss the importance of communicating expectations and landscape needs to clients and stakeholders.

Thursday February 18 | 7pm
2021 Central Section Kick-off

Bill Elliot, the Central Section Chair, would like to extend a warm invitation to members of the section for a 2021 Central Section Kick-off, to be held Thursday, February 18th at 7:00 PM. The kick-off will be a forum to discuss section events in the coming year, and will provide an opportunity to receive your feedback/suggestions on topics that are of interest to you. There also might be a sneak peek of events in the works at the Chapter level!

In lieu of meeting in person, the kick-off will be a virtual event. Central Section ASLA members, keep an eye on your Inboxes during the week of February 8th for call-in information. Since we can't gather in person for snacks and libations, you'll be receiving some fun recipes for hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and mocktails ahead of the kick-off. You're invited to try them out and enjoy them as we talk about the year ahead in the Central Section! Looking forward to seeing you on the 18th and enjoying some good food and good conversation! Interested? Contact Bill at wje@twm.la

Thursday February 25 | 5:30pm
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Seminar with Kesha Carter

Employee engagement needs to go beyond words to a place where everyone is given the opportunity to contribute equitably. A place where they feel valued for who they are, divergent perspectives are encouraged, and can be openly discussed. As a result of an internal inclusive culture, employees are better able to serve clients, customers and the community. During our time together, we will explore ways to breakthrough barriers of inclusion. Participants will walk away with real tools to and a deeper understanding of how inclusion and equity are created by appreciating the diverse cultures, backgrounds and perspectives of others.

Volunteer Opportunities

The NY Upstate Chapter, ASLA is seeking to fill several Volunteer Positions, please review the listings below contact us if you are interested in being considered for any of the available positions. Volunteering is a great opportunity to develop leadership and management skills, network with colleagues across the state, meet LA’s across the country, work directly with ASLA at the national level, and share your unique skills with the Chapter. We appreciate your interest in giving back to the Chapter and Society.

Membership Chair
We are currently seeking to fill the Membership Chair position. This is a voting Executive Committee Position and does require monthly reports and attendance at the Executive Committee monthly calls (3^rd Thursday 9am). Membership Chair, with committee support, is responsible for welcoming new members, welcoming back returning members, sending renewal reminders, and following up with lapsed members. The membership chair should be focused on member retention and growth and should enjoy building relationships. This is a great opportunity to expand your network within the region and also beyond through coordination with ASLA at the national level. All inquiries should be directed to Chapter President, Sue Steele (sue@steele.la)

Emerging Professionals Chair
We are currently seeking to fill the Emerging Professionals (EP) Chair position. This is a non-voting Executive Committee Position and does not require, but encourages monthly reports and attendance at the Executive Committee monthly calls (3^rd Thursday 9am). The EP will serve as a liaison to ASLA national, network with EP’s across the country, and will guide/assist with Chapter initiatives. The EP will work with directly with Students, Cornell and ESF Liaisons, Section Leaders, and VP Programs. This is a great opportunity to help the chapter develop services and programs that appeal to EP’s within the region. This role will increase your network with direct coordination with ASLA at the national level. All inquiries should be directed to Chapter President, Sue Steele (sue@steele.la)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair
We are currently seeking to fill the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Chair position. This is a non-voting Executive Committee Position and does not require, but encourages regular reports and attendance at the Executive Committee monthly calls (3^rd Thursday 9am). The DEI Chair will work with a committee to guide/assist with development of the Chapter’s DEI initiatives. The DEI Chair is a new position and the specific responsibilities will be established as part of the position. All inquiries should be directed to Chapter President, Sue Steele (sue@steele.la)

Programs Committee
VP of Programs, Molly Vendura, is seeking volunteers to provide support for individual events and programs. Tasks may include graphic design of marketing materials for events, assisting with speakers coordination, moderating virtual events, and support for the Annual Awards event. Please contact Molly Vendura (mvendura@vendurala.com) if interested in learning more.

Communications Committee
VP of Communications, Emily Handelman, is seeking volunteers to support Chapter Communications. Tasks may include management of social media management, website support, ULE/email support, marketing and graphic design, and Year in Review publication support. Please contact Emily Handelman (ehandelman@chacompanies.com) if interested in learning more.

Membership News

Barton & Loguidice is pleased to announce the following staff promotions in our Sustainable Planning & Design team, effective January 2021:

Nicole M. Cleary, P.L.A., has been promoted to Senior Project Landscape Architect. A resident of Canandaigua, NY, she received her B.L.A. degree from SUNY ESF. Cleary is a member of the firm’s Sustainable Planning & Design Practice Area.

Olivia C. Mallon, has been promoted to Staff Assistant Landscape Architect. A resident of Hilton, NY she received her B.L.A. degree from SUNY ESF. Mallon is a member of the firm’s Sustainable Planning & Design Practice Area.

Project Highlight from Appel Osborne

Oswego Health opened their new Lakeview Center for Mental Health and Wellness in January 2021. Appel Osborne had the privilege of providing the site design for this new facility which was constructed on a former dilapidated retail property. Landscape architectural design included multiple courtyard areas, vehicular circulation and parking, pedestrian circulation including connection to an adjacent multi-use recreational trail, and plantings with screening solutions. For the safety and wellbeing of patients, site elements had to be carefully considered. Site design also significantly improved sustainability by reducing impervious surfacing by 40% and incorporating rain gardens for green storm water management practices.

Support the Profession

Scholarship Fund
Please consider making a donation to the New York Upstate ASLA Chapter Scholarship Fund. Learn more about the Fund here.

iAdvocate Network
ASLA urges all its Members to use the iAdvocate Network to contact their Congressman about co-sponsoring important legislation that will help protect coastal communities and highlight the critical role Landscape Architects play in their health, safety and welfare. We on the Executive Committee would like to mimic our National efforts here at a State level and look forward to rolling out a ‘localized’ version of iAdvocate tailored to our NYS Legislative Agenda over the upcoming year.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Victor Stanley, a leader in quality site furnishings, helps you bring your visions to life. From benches and bike racks to smart litter receptacles, which use our Relay Sensor and Service to enable efficient collection routing, we meticulously design, engineer and manufacture every detail to ensure our site furnishings will withstand the test of time. For over 56 years, we have helped create a place for people to gather, live life and make timeless moments.

Jetty 14 Design Group was formed to influence the current of design. We believe great design should carry through the entirety of a project - from interior to exterior, extending and reflecting the project as a whole. Simply put, the exterior is just as important as the interior. With this philosophy at our core, Jetty 14 Design Group prides itself on being the outdoor product design specialist.