• Message from Chapter President Jim Taylor , ASLA

• Landscape in Transition a Great Tour

• Stewardship Committee: Raising the Bar

• Community Outreach: Help Non-profits Apply for 2011 Community Grant

• September 17: Annual ASLA Golf Tourament

• Chapter President's Council and ASLA Advocacy Day in Washington D.C.

• 2010 Lecture Series

• Calling All Volunteers!

• Executive Board 2009-2010

• L.A.R.E. Review Session




President's Message

By Jim Taylor, ASLA
Lightfoot Planning Group



Looking for Board Members

To paraphrase a great past U.S President, John F. Kennedy, "It's not what your Chapter can do for you, but what you can do for your Chapter."

Now, more that ever, the Chapter can use your support. The election of new officers for the 2010-2011 year is just around the corner, with terms beginning October 1. As I write this column, we need candidates for both President-Elect and Secretary. Both are extremely important Board positions. If you feel it's your time to be of service to your fellow ASLA members, or if you know motivated, interested individuals, please contact our Executive Director, Tracy, or me. I think you will find that service on the Board and to ASLA is very rewarding. It offers the opportunity to meet new friends and other Chapter leaders from around the country.

I want to thank three people who have agreed to run for open Board positions. Tim Jachlewski for VP Chapter Outreach, Brooke Pietz for VP Chapter Visibility and Kasia Trojanowska for VP Chapter Programs. All three have previously served on the Board. Their willingness to continue serving is a good indicator of how they feel about ASLA, our chapter and the profession.

Your ballot is in the mail - be sure to vote! If there is a spot to write in a candidate name, please review the candidate requirements and let us know if you are interested so we can share you interest with members who will be returning their ballots later this month.

There are a number of events coming up throughout the rest of the year. Two members have stepped up to co-chair our Chapter's efforts to coordinate the ASLA 2011 National Conference, which will be in San Diego, October 30 – November 2, 2011. Glen Schmidt and Joe Esposito have agreed to co-chair our planning effort. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Glen at 619.236.1462 or Joe at 619.236.0143.

Remember, the success of our Chapter depends on our members.




Landscape in Transition a Great Tour
Photos and article by Sylke Clark, SC Landscape Design, Cuyamaca College Affiliate Chapter of ASLA Member

After a break of several years, a group of enthusiastic volunteers thought it was time to bring back an ASLA Garden Tour in 2010. So on May 1, sixty attendees comprised of landscape architects, contractors and home owners experienced the ASLA Landscape in Transition Garden Tour and enjoyed the sustainable designs of five gardens and one commercial site designed and created by ASLA members.

The gardens were selected to illustrate the current trend in residential landscape design. Lush garden settings characterized by high water and maintenance requirements including heavy fertilizer and pesticide use, are out. Sustainable gardens in harmony with our local environment and site specific soil and micro climatic conditions are in. The gardens showcased the following sustainability principles:

Mounts Residence: Use of drought tolerant plants such as those from Mediterranean climates similar to San Diego as well as many succulents and cacti.	Hunter Residence: Use of drought tolerant lawn species, such as UC Verde Buffalo Grass.	Hooker Residence: Use of lawn alternatives such as Dymondia margaretea .

• Reduction in size of lawn areas (Wehba Residence - photo above article).
• Use of effective irrigation methods such as drip and ‘MPR’ sprinklers.

Tour attendees saw that these ‘new’ sustainable gardens and landscapes in transition are exciting, beautiful, full of color, lush and provide us with a regional identity. Participants were treated to a reception with hors d’oevres, music and a raffle.

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The Stewardship Committee continues to encourage a more holistic approach to design and implementation of landscape projects throughout San Diego.

Committee efforts include promoting awareness of sustainable landscapes and elevating the profession of Landscape Architecture as a 'vital link in the chain' at the following monthly 'interdisciplinary' meetings:

• AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE CONNECT) multi-disciplinary effort to help update City of San Diego's Sustainable Building Policy 900-14
  
• USGBC (Advocacy Committee to promote CAL-GREEN and sustainable building practices)
  
• San Diego Regional Sustainability Partnership (Energy & Water Committee)
  
• San Diego County Water Authority (Conservation Action Committee)
  
• SANDAG (Quality of Life Funding Strategy Effort)

These on-going efforts help ASLA maintain an important 'Voice at the Table' as San Diego attempts to deal with Global Climate Change and regional sustainability issues.

Our Green Dialogue with Landscape Contractors will kick off this summer at the 'Raising the Bar: A Green Dialogue' event at RCP Block and Brick, 577 N. Vulcan in Encinitas on August 18. This event marks the beginning of an on-going dialogue that we hope will continue for many years. It will begin with the introduction of 'stewardship standards' and 'best management practices' for how the entire industry can learn to practice and operate in a more holistic manner. We look for your attendance (click here for flyer) and your on-going input to help "raise the bar." We are continuing our efforts to create Stewardship Guidelines for other ASLA Chapters to follow and will send the San Diego Document with our President to the ASLA National Meeting in September.

Lastly, we are happy to have 3 sites here in San Diego that were selected as SITES Pilot Projects for the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SSI). These 3 projects are included as part of the 21 in California, and the 150 sites across the US that will demonstrate the four-star rating system of the SSI "Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009." The projects include one public park, one corporate headquarters, and one Brew House/Organic Restaurant. We will continue to bring you updates on these Sustainable Sites Pilot Projects as they proceed through the rating system.

Anyone wishing to learn more about or participate on the Stewardship Committee should contact Marian Marum at (619) 992-9533 or by email at marian@marumpartnership.com.

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Community Outreach: Help Non-profits Apply for 2011 Community Grant

By Tim Jachlewski, ASLA, Vice President of Community Outreach

The ASLA - San Diego Chapter is seeking applicants for the 2011 - $5,000 ASLA San Diego Community Grant. This Grant is intended to educate and enhance community awareness of the profession of landscape architecture as well as to provide a benefit to the community or environment. The grant may cover or contribute toward the cost of practical work, capital investment, or professional services. All non-profit community groups recognized by the IRS located in the County of San Diego and which have been in existence as a non-profit group for at least three (3) years are eligible. Projects must prove that they have the support and involvement of community and/or environmental interests within San Diego County, and applications must show a clear benefit to the wider community. This Grant may be used to fund an improvement project in total, be combined with other resources to supplement a project’s funding, or may act as “seed” money to jump start a project with a bigger vision. Many types of projects are eligible. Ideas include, but are not limited to:

• Conversion of a high water-use landscape to a water efficient landscape in a high visibility area.
• Trail improvements and habitat enhancement in an environmental area.
• Development of a vacant lot into a public recreation area.
• Design of an existing paved street median into a landscaped community gateway.
• Preparation of a feasibility study to convert an urban block into a sustainability pilot project.
• Conversion of a concrete drainage channel into a bioswale water quality feature.
• Restoration of an historic landscape.

Download the application here or email us at aslasd@sbcglobal.net. The deadline is August 1, 2010.

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Chapter President's Council and ASLA Advocacy Day in Washington D.C.

By David Reed, President Elect of San Diego Chapter ASLA

Chapter trustee Glen Schmidt FASLA, chapter President Jim Taylor and chapter President Elect David Reed went to Washington D.C. on April 29 - May 1 to attend a midyear leadership meeting and to lobby on Capitol Hill. The highlight of the trip was Advocacy Day where each ASLA leader lobbied their own Congressmen and Senators for two important bills, the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act and the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act.

The Green Infrastructure Act aims to provide support for communities to develop infrastructure strategies that promote clean water systems, while the Urban Revitalization Act seeks to contribute to the health and well-being of American cities by aiding in economic recovery and environmental protection, as well as by providing safe public recreation spaces. Information on these acts can be found at: www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h4202/show or www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h4202/show.

Early in the day, the group was prepped on how to present their argument to the Congressmen by Stephanie Vance, who is a very successful lobbying advocate in the D.C. area (pictured at right with David Reed). All parties believe that the day was a huge success, as it garnered additional co-sponsors of the bill, and greatly raised general interest in Landscape Architecture.

Another of the event highlights included a great presentation by Jim Lapides, Public Relations Manager of ASLA, on the use of Internet media (Facebook, Twitter etc.) as a vehicle for promoting Landscape Architecture.

Through chapter presentations and roundtable discussions, the group gained insight into developments in the design field from around the country, and exchanged ideas on how to cope with current challenges, like membership.

Later, members of ASLA were able to gather for a reception at ASLA National Headquarters, held in part on their green roof. After the success of this event, and the combined effectiveness of the Chapter President's Council and Advocacy Day, ASLA National hosted a reception for a congressional delegation of over 60 attendees, on June16. Details can be found here.

For more information on the ASLA Mid-Year meetings, please review ASLA's website.

2010 Lecture Series

ASLA/SD is excited to continue the tradition of the ASLA Lecture Series this fall. We will be hosting two lectures this year and have asked Ken Smith and Susan Van Atta to join us. Mark your calendars for October 7, 2010 and November 4, 2010 at The Neuroscience Institute in La Jolla, CA. We are still in need of sponsors for the events. If your firm or company would like to contribute, please fill out the sponsorship form. We’d like to thank David Reed Landscape Architects, Estrada Land Planning, KTU+A Planning and Landscape Architecture, and Sky Shades of Southern California for their early generous sponsor support. We also have plenty of opportunities to volunteer and sponsor. Please contact Brooke Pietz at brooke@ktua.com for more information.

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Calling All Volunteers!

What makes a great active ASLA Chapter is the people who volunteer! Even if you only have a couple of hours a month to give, the Chapter has an opportunity for you. If something looks appealing, please contact Tracy Hollingworth at (619) 225-8155 or aslasd@sbcglobal.net, or the Chairperson for the Committee.

Volunteer Today! From mandatory water conservation requirements, stormwater runoff regulations, sustainable business practices, coordinating LARE review sessions and working with allied industries, the Chapter could use a hand to address the issues and produce programs of interest to the membership. If you can lend a hand, email us at ASLASD@sbcglobal.net. Click Here

Program and Social Activities Committees
Navid Mostatabi is looking for assistance with planning Chapter Meetings. Call Navid at (858) 558-8977 or Navid@gmplandarch.com.

SD/ASLA Annual Golf Tournament Committee
The committee is in the planning stages and needs your help. Please contact Tracy Hollingworth at (619) 283-8818 to assist. aslasd@sbcglobal.net.

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Executive Board 2009-2010

• President: Jim Taylor, ASLA
• President-Elect: David Reed, ASLA
• Past President: David McCullough, ASLA
• Vice-President, Programs/Education: Brooke Pietz
• Vice-President, Programs/Social Activities: Navid Mostatabi, ASLA
• Vice President, Membership: Darren Solano
• Vice President, Chapter Visibility/Public Relations: Marian Marum. ASLA
• Vice President, Community Outreach: Tim Jachlewski, Jr., ASLA
• Secretary: Kasia Trojanowska
• Treasurer: David Preciado, ASLA
• Chapter Trustee: Glen Schmidt, ASLA
• Student Affiliate Chapter President: Carol Fuller
• CC/ASLA Representative: Jon S. Wreschinsky, ASLA
• Association Executive: Tracy Morgan Hollingworth