Unique Ecology and Stewardship of the Rome Sand Plains

On Saturday May 22, several Upstate landscape architects were joined by Ernest H. Williams, Jr. (William R. Kenan Professor of Biology Emeritus, Hamilton College), Jesse Bergevin (Historic Resources Specialist, Oneida Indian Nation), and Ronald Patterson (Manager, Oneida Heritage/Shako:wi Cultural Center) for an on-site walk-and-talk at the Rome Sand Plains.  Ernest, Jesse, and Ron led an engaging presentation about the ecology, cultural heritage, and ongoing stewardship techniques that define this unique habitat.

Ron opened the event with a land acknowledgment, reminding the attendees of the heritage of the land they were about to experience, its importance to First Peoples, and the responsibility each person has in being a steward of the environment.  As the attendees ventured further into the Sand Plains, Ernest spoke about his extensive research on the growth of native lupine, its response to reforestation in the absence of periodic forest burns, and the important role that lupine plays in the life cycle of the rare frosted elfin butterfly.  Along the trail system, Ernest helped those present identify unique ferns, mosses, and spring ephemerals in the forest understory.  As the trail wound through the undulating sand dunes that were left after the draining of Glacial Lake Iroquois, several patches of native lupine could be seen in full bloom.

Ron and Jesse spoke to the importance of this region for the Haudenosaunee, who used Wood Creek (flowing through the Sand Plains) as a highway from the Great Lakes through to the Mohawk River, the Hudson River, and eventually the Atlantic Ocean.  Careful attention to and knowledge of native plants created a system of “rest stops” where food could be gathered and prepared for groups traveling along this route.

Following the walk-and-talk attendees enjoyed lunch at the trailhead, and took time to meet new colleagues as well as catch up with those they haven’t seen in a while.  A big thank you to Ernest, Jesse, and Ron, and to everyone who attended!

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Register for the Great Lakes Climate Action Seminar!

Great Lakes Climate Action Seminar

June 17 & 24, 2021

The NY Upstate, Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan Chapters of the American Society of Landscape Architects invite you to the 2021 Great Lakes Climate Action Seminar. This two-day virtual seminar (offering up to 13 LACES HSW CEUs) will explore both academic and professional projects/strategies to address climate change issues and resiliency, and will provide a forum to share these strategies and to learn from the experience of others in support of the environmental stewardship of the Great Lakes Region.

Click on the dates below for detailed schedules and registration information.

February Newsletter

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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 (3rd 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 (3rd 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 (3rd 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.

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