Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects

The 2011-2012 Executive Committee is off to a strong start!

2012-01-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

Prior to the 2011 Holiday Party, the new executive committee held their first business meeting. As always there are lots of opportunities for volunteers and we would love your help in planning for a great 2012!

You can check out all the current meeting minutes here to stay up to date on the chapter's work!

ASLA Board of Trustees met at the 2011 ASLA Annual Meeting!

2012-01-10T06:09:00.001-08:00

Interested in knowing what the leadership of ASLA discussed at their recent Board of Trustees meeting?

Check out the full report here!

Green Buildings in Indianapolis: Creating a Sustainable Future

2011-03-31T15:34:00.000-07:00

Below is the link to the full-length green building documentary titled “Green Buildings in Indianapolis: Creating a Sustainable Future.” http://www.youtube.com/user/IndyDPW#p/a/u/0/admXx-vLj0w The 54-minute documentary features several green buildings in Indianapolis. Specifically, it highlights the construction and completion of The Nature Conservancy’s new Indiana headquarters building – The Efroymson Conservation Center. The building, completed last March, is currently seeking LEED certification and expects to receive a Platinum rating. It will be the first LEED Platinum building in the state of Indiana. The documentary project was a partnership effort between The Nature Conservancy, WCTY Channel 16 (Indianapolis Public Access channel), and the Office of Sustainability. The project began in early 2009, just prior to the beginning of the construction process, and was recently completed. The documentary was posted to YouTube today and will be officially announced tomorrow as Indianapolis’ first green building documentary. The documentary was written, produced, and directed by Allyson Pumphrey, LEED AP, with help from Tony Elliot, an intern in the Office of Sustainability and IUPUI SPEA grad student. The documentary will begin airing on Channel 16 next week.

Bench Build Session

2011-03-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Join us as we kick-off the Landscape Elements Campaign for National Landscape Architecture Month this weekend!

What: Bench Build Session

When: Saturday, April 2, 2011, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Where: Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Headquarters, 1029 Fletcher Avenue, Indianapolis, IN

The headquarters is located on the southwest corner of Fletcher Avenue and Shelby Street. Pull around to the back and enter the service yeard off of Grove Avenue- the main/ front doors will be locked.

Tools and materials will be set up and ready on Saturday morning- all you need are work clothes and closed-toed shoes.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Is It Easy to Be Active in Your Community?

2010-11-22T11:40:00.000-08:00

Is it easy to be active in your community? As we consider the obesity epidemic in the country and its relationship to heart disease and, of course, Type II diabetes, we need to look at the way our communities function. In decades past, people walked and rode bikes as a form of transportation, performed dozens of tasks we now use machines for, and had access to fresh and healthy food on a daily basis. Since the 1950s society has changed in ways that make it more difficult to be physically active.

Did you know that 40 percent of all car trips are made within two miles of home? 1 Many of these trips are made by car because there are physical or perceived barriers to walking or biking. Sidewalk networks are incomplete (if they exist), crossings are dangerous, retail uses and schools and churches are separated from neighborhoods, bike parking isn’t available, car drivers don’t know how to share the road with bikes, and bicyclists may not be comfortable enough to do so safely. All of these factors contribute to fewer opportunities to lead an active lifestyle.

More than 60 percent of American adults are not regularly physically active. In fact, 25 percent of all adults are not active at all.2 Moderate physical activity of just 30 minutes a day most days of the week is the amount needed to reduce health risks3, including the risk for Type II diabetes. Walking or biking to and from the store, school, workplace or place of worship could fulfill this basic requirement.

Across the country groups and individuals are working to raise awareness of these issues and make the active lifestyle-health-land use-transportation connection to achieve active, healthy communities. AARP has a liveable communities initiative that advocates walkability and complete streets. The National Complete Streets Coalition includes partners like the Bikes Belong Coalition. State and local campaigns for complete streets are also underway. Individuals are making a difference participating in Safe Routes to School activities, speaking out in favor of pedestrian connectivity and bike routes at plan commission and local legislative hearings, and testifying before their state legislatures. As a DESA member, you are likely already an active person and could benefit from better connections in your community. You can also be an advocate to encourage others to be healthy and promote active lifestyles in your communities. Learn more about active communities and get involved in your where you live to improve the ability to bike and walk locally.

Learn more about active communities ~
AARP Liveable Communities: http://www.aarp.org/research/ppi/liv-com/

American Planning Association: http://www.planning.org/policy/guides/adopted/surfacetransportation.htm

Bikes Belong Coalition
http://www.bikesbelong.org/

National Center for Biking and Walking
http://www.bikewalk.org/

National Center for Safe Routes to School
www.saferoutesinfo.org

National Complete Streets Coalition
http://www.completestreets.org/

Author Rose Scovel, AICP is a Senior Planner and Associate at LSL Planning, Inc. in Indianapolis, IN. She is currently president of the Indiana chapter of the American Planning Association and an avid runner and cyclist. She is also a Type II diabetic.

1 League of American Bicyclists: http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/why/environment.php
The State of Indiana has a goal that all Hoosiers will live within 15 minutes of a trail.
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/intro.htm
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html

Congratulations David! 2010 Claire Bennett Legacy Award Winner

2010-10-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

In 2003, INASLA unveiled the initial “Claire Bennett Legacy Award” to recognize individual knowledge achievement, and service to the profession and the Indiana Chapter. The award honors long-time Indiana Chapter Member Claire Bennett, FASLA. Claire served as the president of the Indiana Chapter in 1978 and as the National President of ASLA in 1990-91. The legacy of service she has provided for the Indiana Chapter, as well as the leadership to ASLA on a national level inspired the creation of this award named in her honor to recognize those members who embody those same ideals.

INASLA members who have maintained full membership in the Society for the last ten years may be nominated for the Claire Bennett Legacy Award. The award recipient(s) are selected in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession by excellence in administrative work in public agencies, in direct service to the Society and/or profession, in executed works of Landscape Architecture, or in professional school instruction or in professional writing. The INASLA Executive Committee selected the recipient of this award.

This year, we are pleased to honor David Gorden, ASLA with the 2010 INASLA Claire Bennett Legacy Award.

David Gorden graduated with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Illinois in 1981. Upon graduating he received the Department of Landscape Architecture's Edward L. Ryerson Fellowship through which he spent six months in New Zealand studying the work of landscape architects in that country's National Parks. Since then his extensive travels have taken him to over 65 countries around the world.

He joined Mark M. Holeman, Inc. in 1989 and now manages the firm's design staff while also overseeing a wide variety of projects. He is a frequent speaker on landscape matters and has taught classes at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and White River Gardens.

David is a Licensed Landscape Architect in the States of Indiana and Illinois and has been recognized with a variety of awards and honors from a variety of organizations :

Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects:
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Monumental Awards:
St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild Decorators’ Show House:
International Society of Arboriculture and Indiana Arborists Association

David has continued to be a leader in his profession, serving the chaptewr in a variety of positions, including

President – 1999
Chair – Annual Meeting – 2005
Chair – Chapter 30th Anniversary Celebration – 2003
Chapter Representative - ASLA Licensure Summit– 2006, 2007 and 2009

As part of his commitment to the chapter and the profession, David has also served as:
Chair – Annual Indiana Green Expo Luncheon and Speaker – 1997-2010
Representative - Indiana Invasive Plant Species Working Group (IPSAWG) – 2001- 2009 and Indiana Invasive Plant Advisory Committee – 2010-present.
Co-Chair of Indiana School for the Blind Monon Trailhead Project. Project awarded 2002 Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Monumental Affair Achievement Award.
Chair of School Tree Planting Program.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Monumental Awards Steering Committee/Landscape Architecture Jury Chair – 2002-present

His service beyond INASLA is also extensive. His many affiliations and positions in other allied organizations have included service on the:
Indianapolis Art Center Building Committee
Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society Executive Committee
Indiana Urban Forest Council Board of Directors
St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild Decorators’ Show House Design Committee
Meridian Kessler Neighborhood Association (Indianapolis) Land Use Committee
Indianapolis Museum of Art Horticultural Society Vice-President
Binford Redevelopment and Growth (BRAG) Advisory Council

David has was also appointed by Governor Joseph E. Kernan to serve from 2004-2008 on the Indiana Board of Registration for Architects and Landscape Architects, serving as Chair of this Board from 2005-06.

David’s service to the profession – as well as his outstanding projects - have made him a leader in the field of Landscape Architecture in the State of Indiana.

The Indiana Chapter of ASLA is proud to honor David Gorden with the 2010 Claire Bennett Legacy Award for his Service to the Profession.

INASLA NLAM 2010 Event: Clark Elementary School

2010-10-11T05:32:00.000-07:00

In collaboration with school staff, students, and parents of Clark Elementary, Cory Daly and Dan Syrus developed a conceptual site master plan for an 11 acre site as part of the school’s annual Earth Day celebration. Cory and Dan participated in two design charrettes as part of the process to generate design ideas from the students and staff so the outdoor classroom could be a vision of the entire school and not just the landscape architects.

The school grounds include butterfly gardens, kitchen gardens, sun gardens, shade gardens, and native prairie gardens. Opportunities of learning wait around every corner for students as they run and play in the outdoor gardens. Students learn through interaction with on-site stormwater management techniques, interpretive signage, an interactive waterfall, hummingbird feeders, and bat boxes.

An interactive trail meanders through the prairie gardens and provides the opportunity for students to learn about 50 different types of Indiana native trees. Interpretive signage will be stationed at every tree and every type of garden throughout to enhance the student’s learning experience. A sundial plaza will also serve to instill knowledge of our earth’s solar system and provide social interaction for all who participate.

Overall, the design of the site incorporates all types of users, all types of plants, and all types of learning opportunities that will be shared and enjoyed through multiple generations today and for years to come.

2010-10-11T05:25:00.000-07:00

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. cordially invites you to attend the 33rd annual A Monumental Affair Dinner & Awards Ceremony.

Indiana Roof Ballroom

140 West Washington Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204-3485

Thursday November 11, 2010

6PM Cash Bar

7PM Program & Dinner

RSVP by Friday November 5, 2010

$80 per person

$600 per table of 8

To RSVP, or for more information visit Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc on the web.

Payment is required in advance. Seating assignment will be given at check-in.

The Monumental Award, representing the most significant visual and physical enhancement in Marion County, is selected by an impartial jury of community and professional leaders. This is the highest award of distinction and is chosen from the honor award winners in each category.

Rethink. Renew. Revitalize: Indiana ASLA

2010-09-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

2010 INASLA Annual Meeting and Design Awards Presentation

Rethink. Renew. Revitalize.
I N D I A N A A S L A

Historic Fountain Square Theatre
Friday, October 8, 2010. 8:00 am. – 5:00 pm.

Schedule
7:30-8:30 Registration and Participant Breakfast
8:00-8:30 Welcome comments
8:30-9:30 General Session: Panel Discussion (1 CEU)
The Role of Design in Neighborhood Revitalization

Morning Sessions
9:45-10:45 Concurrent Breakout Session #1 (1 CEU)
Session 1A: Complete Streets, Indiana:

Irene Wegner, AARP Indiana

Complete streets are those designed and operated to enable safe access for all users – pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities – in moving along and across roadways; they are appropriate in all communities, regardless of size or setting. The proposed session will:·highlight the benefits of complete streets, including links to health, safety, the environment, transportation network capacity, community development, and economics;· provide an overview of design elements, planning and engineering guidance, and implementation resources;· discuss the development and adoption of local, regional (MPO), and state policies for complete streets; and · engage attendees in becoming advocates for complete streets in their communities.

Speaker Biography: Irene Wegner, Associate State Director, Community Outreach Irene has worked with AARP for fourteen years, including time at the Midwest Regional Office. Before joining AARP, she worked with volunteers and community organizations by monitoring and funding over 28 agencies in the northern Chicago suburbs. She was a Director of Religious Education and taught school in various locations. Irene also helped to found WilPower, Inc., a housing and psychosocial center for persons with mental illness on Chicago’s north shore. She is an avid bicyclist and a member of Health by Design, the MPO Multi-Modal Task Force in Indianapolis, the Indiana Healthy Weight Initiative Senior Group, Crooked Creek Economic Development Corp Board member, and Bicycle Indiana. Irene holds a BS degree from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University. For the past three years her work concentration has been in the area of livable communities, primarily with mobility issues.

Session 1B: Environmental Habitat Stewardship:

Lisa Dunaway, ASLA, LEED AP, Sensible Ecology, LLC.

This session will cover some basic ecological principles that will assist landscape architects in making better design decisions for long-term ecological and economic sustainability. Attendees will learn how to help protect biodiversity from the backyard scale to the regional scale. This session is a brief version of the Environmental Habitat Steward Certificate Program developed by Lisa in partnership with the Indiana Wildlife Federation.

Speaker Biography: Lisa Dunaway specializes in the creation and design of ecological assessments and recommendations for the preservation of ecological biodiversity and economic sustainability. She has experience with municipal comprehensive and urban design plans, parks and recreation master planning, and other projects relating to sustainability such as native landscape plantings and green infrastructure design. She also has completed numerous projects involving site sustainability planning, regional ecological planning, economic revitalization, commercial site design, downtown streetscapes, and recreation and trail planning. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from Ball State University and is a LEED Accredited Professional. She is currently completing a Master of Ecological Planning degree at the University of Vermont. She is also an Instructor of Urban Planning at Ball State University and the Owner of Sensible Ecology, LLC.

10:45-11:00 Vendor Expo Session

11:00-12:00 Concurrent Breakout Session #2 (1 CEU)
Session 2A: Integrating Green Infrastructure for CSO Abatement & Enhanced Public Spaces
Ms. Jean Wodarek, PE, LEED AP, Williams Creek Consulting, Inc.
Emily Kusz, RLA, LEED AP, Williams Creek Consulting, Inc.

The presentation will provide an overview of an in-depth technical and financial analysis of the potential outcomes of implementing Green Infrastructure Best Management Practices (GI BMPs) on a large scale throughout Indianapolis, Indiana. Results indicate up to 30% reduction in peak flows where GI BMPs are implemented and approximately 1.6 billion gallons per year of stormwater to be removed from the CSO system. The most cost effective GI BMPs appear to be on-lot residential rain gardens, dual use passive recreation and distributed storage bioretention systems along streets and alleys. Current pilot projects to be monitored to show the effectiveness of GI BMPs relative to the Master Plan are currently designed and ready to be built. The first two pilot projects have been public private partnerships working with the local community and business owners for increased drainage in areas with limited infrastructure while providing enhanced landscape features and public plazas. The Ohio Street Green Infrastructure/Drainage Improvement Project is a partnership effort to improve the 600-700 block of East Ohio Street. The project seeks to improve drainage, handicap accessibility, and deteriorating urban infrastructure to capitalize on recent private investment in the area as a means to continue strengthening the Cole-Noble neighborhood. The project features 1,200 square feet of pervious concrete sidewalk, 500 linear feet of pervious concrete curb and gutter and an approximately 750 square feet of rain garden. These Green Infrastructure retrofits will manage runoff from approximately 16,000 square feet of impervious surface and will infiltrate and attenuate 80% to 90% of the volume and rate, respectively, in a typical year. The Alabama Street pilot project will extend and enhance an existing boulevard median into a 2,500 square foot pedestrian plaza made of porous concrete, pavers, and rain gardens. Retrofits to the road alongside the median will include the integration of four bumpout rain gardens, each approximately 240 square feet. The pedestrian plaza and rain gardens will manage approximately 3 acres of runoff, or about 1 acre of impervious surface. It will infiltrate and attenuate 80% to 90% of the runoff volume and rate, respectively, in a typical year. More specifically, the project will address how landscape architects can address issues such as stormwater management in both traditional landscape improvement projects and public spaces such as plazas.

Speaker Biography :Ms. Jean Wodarek, PE, LEED AP is currently a Senior Project Manager at Williams Creek Consulting in Indianapolis. She has been involved with the planning and design of a wide range of Civil Engineering projects for over 21 years. Her background includes surveying, construction inspection, site evaluation and master planning, storm water management, and all aspects of public and private utility and infrastructure design, sustainable sites and Green Infrastructure master planning and design, project management, and quality assurance review. Her most recent projects include the City of Indianapolis Green Infrastructure Master Implementation Plan, the City of Lafayette Green Infrastructure Feasibility and Prioritization Study, the City of Columbus Ohio Reservoir Pollution Reduction Project, the LaPorte Joint Zoning Ordinance, and numerous private development projects incorporating green infrastructure. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University and is a registered Professional Engineer in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.

Ms. Emily Kusz, RLA, LEED AP has gained extensive experience in landscape design, while participating in over five years of commercial and residential civil engineering layout and plan development. Her diverse work experience ranging from direct client interaction, to land plan and landscape design, to plan development conducting her own drainage and grading calculations in AutoCAD have provided her with a diverse background and unique abilities directly related to low impact site design. With her unique professional experience combined with her education, Ms. Kusz has developed a deep understanding and commitment to sustainable site development. Ms. Kusz holds a bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Ball State University with a minor in Natural Resources and Environmental Management.

Session 2B: Branding & Positioning Secrets for a Down Economy:

Josh Miles, Miles Design

Uncover the secrets to growing your business by narrowing your focus. We'll discuss the power of niche positioning using the "wedge" model, and how to market within that niche to appeal to the broadest number of people. We'll look at a framework to help you envision your expert firm, building upon your marketing assets, discovering which branding and marketing assets you need to develop next (branding, positioning, interactive, social media, print, and networking), and explore a roadmap for which marketing tactics to pursue first. Finally, we'll delve into the pivotal role that thought leadership plays in demonstrating your unique positioning, especially in a downturn. This will be a very interactive session - plan to leave with handouts and roadmaps for uniquely positioning your firm!

Speaker Biography: Josh Miles is principal of Miles Design, an award-winning Indianapolis branding and design firm. Miles Design specializes in positioning, branding and interactive design for premium brands and professional services firms. Their client list includes Ratio Architects, Bose McKinney & Evans, Chalet, ExactTarget, AIT Laboratories, and KITE.

As a substitute to the morning’s indoor sessions, participants may choose:

9:45-11:45 Walking Tour # 1 (2 CEU)
Join Leaders from Southeast Neighborhood Development Corp. on a walking tour of the Fountain Square Neighborhood.

12:00-12:30 Vendor Expo Session

12:30-2:30 Lunch and INASLA Awards Presentation
Luncheon Speaker (1 CEU): Gary Scott, ASLA, Immediate Past President
Awards Presentation (.5 CEU)

Afternoon Sessions

2:30-3:00 Vendor Expo Session

3:00-4:00 Concurrent Breakout Session #3 (1 CEU)

Session 3A: St. Clair Place: Streetscape and Neighborhood Revitalization:

Jonathan Mooney, ASLA, RLA, LEED AP, R.W. Armstrong

The presentation will be about St. Clair, but will center around RW Armstrong’s interaction with the City and the office of sustainability. Jonathan is inviting a rep from the city, and his hope is to talk about the project itself, which has to do with redeveloping the neighborhood, introducing a housing TIF finance district to pay for the improvements and the partnership of various people throughout the project.

Speaker Biography: Jonathan’s responsibilities include business development, project management, design, graphics, and staff management. Jonathan’s background has provided him a well rounded approach to design and project management. With 15 years of experience, he has worked on many types of projects including site and landscape design, transportation, urban design, historic preservation, environmental planning, and grant writing projects. Jonathan is recognized for his plant knowledge, public facilitation, construction documents, and his graphic design abilities and is able to work with clients through all phases of a project. As Urban Design Manager, Jonathan oversees the development of community aesthetic plans, identity strategies, streetscape design, marketing communication efforts, environmental design, preservation of natural landscapes, and alternative transportation planning.

Session 3B: Setting Clear Expectations: CJ McClanahan, reachmore

Before you can improve the performance of your team, it is absolutely critical that they know exactly what they need to do to get a raise, earn a promotion, and make you happy. In this session, you’ll learn simple strategies for setting expectations.

Speaker Biography: CJ McClanahan is the founder and president of reachmore, a leadership training and consulting firm. He writes a column on leadership for the Indianapolis Business Journal. Over the past five years, he has spoken to thousands of professionals throughout central Indiana and has helped more than 150 business owners and corporate management teams achieve record sales and profits. After beginning his career with Arthur Andersen, where he helped organizations use technology to improve their business processes, Mr. McClanahan shifted his focus toward the small business. He served as the director of finance and operations for a mid-sized manufacturing organization and as a director of sales and business development for a software company with global sales of more than $20 million. He began his consulting career as a licensed business coach with Action Coach and was soon recognized as one of the top coaches in the United States. Mr. McClanahan was named to the 2006 class of the Indianapolis Business Journal “40 under Forty” list.

As a substitute to the afternoon’s indoor sessions, participants may choose:

2:30-4:30 Walking Tour # 2 (2 CEU)
Join Leaders of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and tour their facilities.

4:00-6:00 Social Hour: Duckpin Bowling

Need some inspiration....check out some thoughts from the ASLA Annual Meeting Keynote Speaker Majora Carter!

2010-09-16T08:42:00.000-07:00

“I believe that you shouldn’t have to leave your neighborhood to live in a better one.”

Environmental and urban planning advocate Majora Carter advises cities, foundations, universities, businesses, and communities around the world on unlocking their green-collar economic potential to benefit everyone. In 2001, she founded Sustainable South Bronx to achieve environmental justice through economically sustainable projects formed by community needs. Today, through the Majora Carter Group, LLC, her work simultaneously addresses public health, poverty alleviation, and climate change. She is currently working in the city of Detroit on a project to train residents to become "urban agriculture technicians" and to organize a market for selling the products throughout the greater Detroit area. Carter's work has earned numerous awards including a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship. She was named one of Essence magazine's 25 Most Influential African-Americans and one of The New York Post's Most Influential New York City Women. Newsweek named her one of "25 To Watch" in 2007 and one of the "century's most important environmentalists" in 2008. She is a board member of the Wilderness Society and hosts a special National Public Radio series called "The Promised Land" and the Sundance Channel's "Eco-Heroes."

For more information on Majora and her company The Majora Carter Group visit her website!

2010 Lilly Day of Service: Volunteers Needed

2010-09-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

As part of this year’s Annual Meeting, INASLA members will have the opportunity to partner with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful in the Lilly Day of Service. INASLA volunteers will assist in “quality control” – helping teams of Lilly employees properly locate and plant some 15,000 trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs.

An outstanding way to “give back,” the commitment involved a one-hour education session (worth 1 CEU) held in the weeks before the day of service and 4 hours on-site, either 8-12-1-5 (or all day, if you desire).

Please contact Sean Rotar at 317.332.9430 to reserve your place in the INASLA volunteer team.

For more about the project please visit the KIB project page.

INASLA Job Opportunity: New Post!

2010-08-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

Click here to read the full post!

INASLA : Call for Volunteers and all Interested "Park Builders"

2010-08-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

This year, INASLA is joining AFH-Indianapolis (Architecture for Humanity - Indianapolis Chapter : http://afh-indy.org ) and other Profit and Non-Profit organizations throughout our community to present PARK(ing) Day 2010 to the downtown population of our great city. For those that don't know, in short, PARK(ing) Day is a global event when concerned and forward thinking groups of citizens partner together to turn urban parking spaces into small, viable, community parks - for one entire day. AFH-Indy did it quite successfully, on their own, last year and has opened up the event to other interested groups in Indianapolis. INASLA will be joining the cause and "developing" our own parking space, downtown, in celebration of PARK(ing) Day 2010.

What: PARK(ing) Day 2010
When: Friday, September 17, 2010
Time: All Day - (6 am - 3 pm : plus or minus)
More Information: Click here

We're calling on INASLA membership to join forces for this great event. We will have one (1) downtown parking space that we will be able to turn into a "Park" for one day on Friday, September 17. It's an all day event, so, we'll need a few folks to be involved all day and some to take "shifts" in joining fellow LA's at the space downtown, promoting the event and promoting the cause.

Once we have a committed group of volunteers, we'll have a meeting to coordinate work shifts, material donation solicitation and other logistics for the event. We'll need you all to utilize your resources to help us collect materials for our park that willing vendors, nurseries and the like are willing to donate for the day. There will be no promotion opportunities for "for-profit" organizations, but, those folks that donate materials are more than welcome to join the volunteer effort and spend time in the space downtown.

We'll need a variety of materials including, containerized perennials and grasses, containerized sedges and rushes, containerized trees, pavers, benches and the like. The ExComm committe is currently trying to come up with a couple design options to present to the volunteer group, so that we have a direction for the design and layout of the parking space. The final "design" will be determined once we have a group of volunteers committed to the effort. It should be noted that AFH-Indy wants to utilize as much of the donated materials, as humanly possible, in order to put in an urban park at a Community Center at 23rd and Guilford, after the PARK(ing) day event is over. As you're talking to material donors, please mention this and see if they're willing to commit materials for permanent use in the community.

Please email Katie Clark or Ben Jennings to put your name on the volunteer list. It would be great to have a large and diverse group of volunteers from our membership, so, please feel free to commit sooner rather than later. For more information see the PARK(ing) Day website for more details about what the event entails.

Katie Clark (CClark@rwa.com)
Ben Jennings (ben.jennings.design@gmail.com)

Thanks, in advance, for your help with this great event. The deadline for committing to volunteer is Noon on Friday, August 20th. After that, we'll have an organizational meeting to get ready for the September event.

New Job Posting

2010-07-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

American Structure Point: Senior Project Manager

For position and contact information click here.

17th Annual INASLA Golf Outing

2010-07-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Come join us for an incredible day of golf and social gathering. We will play a scrambleformat, so dust off your clubs and make your reservation! This is an INASLA-Vendorsponsoredevent, so your golf fees, food and beverages will be covered (3 ASLA membersand 1 Sponsor per foursome).

August 27, 2010
The Fort Golf Resort
6002 North Post Road Indianapolis IN USA 46216
317.543.9597 www.thefortgolfcourse.com

9:00 PUTTING CONTEST and REGISTRATION
10:00 SHOTGUN START

Grilled Lunch and Beverages provided
Reception following golf: Appetizers, Beverages, and Prizes

A $25 reservation fee for all golfers covers the following:
1 reserved spot on a foursome
2 chances in the putting contest
Hole contests
1 ticket for the prize table drawing
1 Mulligan per player to help the overall team score

MARK YOUR CALENDAR, RSVP AND SEND YOUR CHECK TO:
Julie Zigler (317) 585-0167
112 Shadowlawn Dr., Fishers, IN 46038
jzigler@irrigationdesignsource.com

Space is limited. E-mail or call in your reservation today.

2010 Claire Bennett Legacy Award: Call for Entries

2010-07-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

In 2003, INASLA unveiled the initial "Claire Bennett Legacy Award" to recognize individual achievement, service and knowledge to the profession and the Indiana Chapter. The award honors long-time Indiana Chapter Member Claire Bennett, FASLA. Claire served as the president of the Indiana Chapter in 1978 and as the National President of ASLA in 1990-91. The legacy of service she has provided for the Indiana Chapter, as well as the leadership to ASLA on a national level inspired the creation of this award named in her honor to recognize those members who embody those same ideals.

In 2010, members are encouraged to nominate individuals, agencies, firms, or other groups for special recognition based on service to the Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the landscape architecture profession, or stewardship to the environment.

The INASLA Executive Committee will select the recipient(s) of this award.

You can find the Clair Bennett Legacy Award information here.

All submissions are due Friday, August 6, 2010 by 4:30 pm.

2010 INASLA Awards Program: Call for Entries

2010-07-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

The INASLA Professional Awards Program was created to recognize professional excellence and outstanding examples of landscape architecture by Indiana landscape architects. These awards honor works that represent the forefront of the profession of Landscape Architecture and embody high levels of creativity and imagination. Any individual, firm, agency or institution is eligible to submit a project for consideration provided that:

Projects submitted may be located outside of Indiana, but there must have been project involvement by a member in good standing of the Indiana Chapter of ASLA.

The four categories are: Constructed Projects, Unbuilt Works, Residential Works and the INPAWS Award (Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society).

In addition to the traditional Honor and Merit Awards, the jury may also select an 'Award of Excellence' for the single most outstanding submission (of the combined collection of Constructed, Unbuilt and Residential entries.)

The complete awards packet can be found here.

All submissions are due Friday, August 6, 2010 by 4:30 pm.

2010 INASLA Executive Committee Elections

2010-07-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. The 2010 INASLA Executive Committee ballot has been confirmed and we are ready for you to vote. Before casting your ballot please feel free to review the brief bio statments from the nominees.

You can also access the 2010 Executive Committee Ballot here.

Please note that completed ballots are due back no later than close of business on July 20, 2010.
Thank you for taking the time to cast a ballot for your elected representatives, and helping to make the upcoming year a success!

Pilot Projects Put SITES into Action

2010-06-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

More than 150 pilot projects in all scales commit to applying the guidelines. The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ (SITES™) has selected pilot projects to test a national rating system for sustainable landscape design, construction, and maintenance.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture, New Orleans’s Lower Ninth Ward Sustainable Infrastructure Project, and the Indianapolis Super Bowl Village join more than 150 other projects that include educational centers, transportation corridors, industrial complexes, and private residences in employing cutting-edge guidelines and performance benchmarks outlined in the SITES Rating System. Pilot project locations and descriptions can be found at www.sustainablesites.org/pilot.

INASLA Call for Nominations: 2010-2011 Executive Committee

2010-05-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Dear INASLA Members,
Please allow me to take this opportunity to invite you to submit nominations for the 2011 INASLA Executive Committee. The honor to select your professional representatives is bestowed upon every single member of the chapter and is the vital link to ensuring the continued vitality of our important organization.

There are few better ways to compliment one of your fellow professionals than to recommend them as a candidate to invest their skills and apply their professional judgment towards making critical decisions on behalf of all INASLA members.

Likewise, there is no better way to give back to your profession than to volunteer your time and talents towards ensuring the continued growth of our profession. Either of these important honors can be accomplished by simply participating in the INASLA Executive Committee nominating process by either nominating somebody else, or yourself.

Please take a few minutes of your time to review the enclosed description of the available positions for the 2011 term and fi lling out the enclosed nominating ballot. You do not have to complete the entire ballot for it to be valid; simply a single name is all that is required. I assure you, your investment will pay dividends in knowing that the future of your professional organization is in capable hands.

If you have any questions about the nominating process please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail at Indiana.asla@gmail.com.

Thank you for taking the time to help shape the face of the 2011 INASLA Executive Committee and the future of our profession.

You can find the nomination form here.

INASLA Takes a Trip to the Zoo!

2010-05-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

On the afternoon of April 23 a small group of INASLA members braved the cold to take a behind the scenes tour of the Indianapolis Zoo and Botanical Gardens. We began by meeting our tour guide Abby McCoy who gave us a brief overview of the botanical garden and zoo setup. Then we began the event by visiting White River Gardens. We were allowed to explore for a few minutes before being introduced to one of the horticulturists that care for the botanical gardens.

We visited the gardens a week late, as many of the spring bulbs had already flowered and had been removed, but we were able to catch a couple of tulip masses while we were there.

As the horticulturist lead us through the gardens she gave us an idea of what her daily routine is like, what her responsibilities are when it comes to design and renovation and some of her favorite plant species. It was really interesting to hear how attached the horticulture staff gets to their plantings!

Another interesting face is that the entire White River Gardens area is taken care of by only two full time people. During the height of summer a few other seasonal employees are on hand, but for the most part there are only two people there day in and day out.

After the seeing the botanical gardens we were lead through the zoo grounds and got a chance to see the different areas of the zoo. We even were lucky enough to see the Cheetah exhibit that hasn't even been open to the public.

Interesting fact #2 that we learned on our tour- many times when the zoo has trees that need to be removed, they simply hitch their elephant to the tree and ask them to walk. So much simpler then renting equipment, cutting it down and then dealing with a stump!

In addition to seeing all of the interesting plant material, and the interesting ways the material is used a true highlight of the trip was being able to see the animals in a way that many people don't get a chance to. The zoo was nearly empty when we there so it was much easier to imagine the animals in their native habitat. The animals must have been at ease too because we happened upon the walrus's during an intimate moment.

The tour was great, and it was very valuable to hear a different viewpoint on design and maintenance. We hope to be able to bring additional tour possibilities to our membership later this year!

INASLA sponsors tree planting in Columbus, IN

2010-05-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

On April 30th INASLA assisted the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department in their Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony at the Foundation for Youth (FFY). Over 30 children spent time learning about the benefits of trees as well as the profession of landscape architecture. Three cherry trees were planted adjacent to the FFY Garden that supplies a variety of vegetables and flowers to the children throughout the summer. The cherry trees will add to the variety offered. The children tend to the garden throughout the summer with the season culminating with the sale of homeade salsa from the garden produce. The garden and tree planting are wonderful examples of positive ways to encourage children to spend time outdoors! Each child was given a small tree sponsored by ASLA to plant in their yard when they return home.

United States Department of Transportation Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations

2010-03-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is providing this Policy Statement to reflect the Department’s support for the development of fully integrated active transportation networks. The establishment of well-connected walking and bicycling networks is an important component for livable communities, and their design should be a part of Federal-aid project developments. Walking and bicycling foster safer, more livable, family-friendly communities; promote physical activity and health; and reduce vehicle emissions and fuel use. Legislation and regulations exist that require inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian policies and projects into transportation plans and project development. Accordingly, transportation agencies should plan, fund, and implement improvements to their walking and bicycling networks, including linkages to transit. In addition, DOT encourages transportation agencies to go beyond the minimum requirements, and proactively provide convenient, safe, and context-sensitive facilities that foster increased use by bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities, and utilize universal design characteristics when appropriate. Transportation programs and facilities should accommodate people of all ages and abilities, including people too young to drive, people who cannot drive, and people who choose not to drive.

To read the entire policy announcement visit the Department of Transportation Website.

Study Shows Public Transportation Projects Create Twice as Many Jobs as Highway Projects

2010-01-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

Analysis of stimulus spending underscores opportunities for the landscape architecture profession.

The Center for Neighborhood Technology, Smart Growth America, and USPIRG recently released “What We Learned from the Stimulus,” an analysis of stimulus spending data provided by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that found transit projects created and sustained more jobs than highway projects. The report found that “in the 10 months since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed into law by President Obama, investing in public transportation produced twice as many jobs per dollar than investing in roads.”

With landscape architects leading the way in planning and designing transportation corridors that include multimodal systems, ARRA projects that focus on public transportation can lead to important opportunities for the profession. The FTA New Starts program, for example, dedicates $742 million to new transit projects and extensions to existing networks. Projected to produce 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, New Starts is an opportunity for members to help shape the next generation of public transit projects across the country.

This year, Congress will continue its work on the reauthorization of the surface transportation bill. A comprehensive transportation measure that includes a Complete Streets policy that calls on states and localities to adequately focus on alternative modes of transportation, including transit, pedestrian walkways, bike lanes, and paths, will not only provide transportation choices for Americans, but, as this report points out, will also yield important economic gains. ASLA is continuing its efforts to help shape the upcoming surface transportation bill, which could provide additional public transportation-related opportunities for landscape architects and help grow the economy, improve public transit access, and make our communities safer and more sustainable.

ASLA created a resource guide, Economic Stimulus Opportunities for Landscape Architects, that includes possible ARRA prospects for landscape architects in transit projects and beyond. Although some deadlines have expired, opportunities to participate still remain. If you have participated in any federal, state, or local programs funded by the ARRA stimulus program or know of any ARRA stimulus opportunities for landscape architects, ASLA’s Government Affairs team would appreciate hearing from you.

(From LAND online, www.asla.org)

Indiana Schools to Improve Walking, Bicycling Efforts

2010-01-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

Fifty one schools throughout the state will soon be able to make it safer for students to walk or bike to school. Safe Routes to School, a federally funded program, has awarded $3.35 million in grants to the Indiana Department of Transportation. Schools will use the funds for new sidewalks, motor vehicle speed reduction techniques and bicycle and pedestrian skills training.

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana students will soon find it safer to walk or bike to 51 schools thanks to $3.35 million in federal awards the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced today. Safe Routes to School funds awarded to cities, towns and schools increased nearly 20 percent, allowing a larger proportion of applications to be approved this year.

"INDOT is responding to growing childhood health and safety concerns with increasing investments promoting walking and bicycling among Indiana's youngest commuters," said INDOT Commissioner Michael W. Reed.

Safe Routes to School aims to influence a new generation of healthy, sustainable travel behavior. The federally funded program recognizes traffic congestion, fuel consumption and air pollution near our schools' coupled with growing health and childhood obesity concerns makes walking and bicycling to school an attractive and convenient solution. Examples of eligible projects and activities include new sidewalks, motor vehicle speed reduction techniques and bicycle and pedestrian skills training. More information is available on Indiana's Safe Routes to School Web site at http://SafeRoutes.IN.gov.

As in prior years, demand for the Safe Routes to School program outstripped available funds. For 2009, INDOT received 39 proposals totaling $6.8 million. INDOT has funded an increasing percentage of these applications, approving nearly half this year. Federal funds will reimburse the 19 recipients listed below for approved expenses on infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure activities.

Southwest Indiana

$250,000 for sidewalks, curb ramps and a retaining wall at one school within the City of Washington.
$250,000 for sidewalks, curb ramps, flashers and signs at one school within the Town of Poseyville.
$250,000 for sidewalks, curbing, curb ramps and minor non-infrastructure efforts at one school within the Town of Fort Branch.
$250,000 for sidewalks, crosswalks, curb ramps, signs and minor non-infrastructure efforts at three schools within the City of Mitchell.
$250,000 for sidewalks and curb ramps at two schools within the Town of Oolitic
$246,439 for sidewalks, curb ramps and drainage improvements at three schools within the City of Cannelton.

Southeast Indiana

$75,000 for a Comprehensive Safe Route plan, encouragement, outreach, equipment and incentives at 10 schools within the City of Columbus

East Central Indiana

$242,588 for sidewalks, sidewalk repair, curb ramps, crosswalks, signs and minor non-infrastructure efforts at one school within the Town of Kennard.
$250,000 to the St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis for sidewalks, medians, flashers, pedestrian countdown signals, bike parking and curb ramps.
$75,000 to The Project School in Indianapolis for a Comprehensive Safe Route plan, encouragement, outreach, education, enforcement, equipment and incentives.
$56,000 to the St. Joan of Arc School in Indianapolis for a Comprehensive Safe Route plan, outreach, education, equipment and incentives.
$75,000 for a Comprehensive Safe Route plan, encouragement, outreach, education, enforcement, equipment and incentives at five schools within the City of Carmel.

Northwest Indiana

$247,400 to the Lake Central School Corporation for sidewalks and a shared use path at three schools in Dyer and Saint John.
$168,253 for sidewalks, crosswalks, curb ramps and signs at one school within the Town of Cedar Lake.
$155,000 for sidewalks, curb ramps and minor non-infrastructure efforts at one school within the City of Valparaiso.

Northeast Indiana

$249,800 for sidewalks, sidewalk repair, curbs, curb ramps, crosswalks, bike route signs and bike racks at two schools within the City of Auburn.
$49,000 for a travel plan, education, encouragement, equipment and a speed trailer at one school within the Town of Waterloo.
$137,778 to the St. Charles Borromeo School in Fort Wayne for sidewalks and curb ramps
$75,000 for a Comprehensive Safe Route plan and increased law enforcement at 12 schools within the City of Huntington.

The 50 Best Careers of 2010 Biomedical engineer, curator, and urban planner made the cut

2010-01-07T09:29:00.000-08:00

It's not a little bit optimistic to be establishing a list of best careers now, at the tail end of a particularly hard-knocks recession that has helped put 15.4 million Americans out of work. That's particularly so because no industry or occupation was spared the misery of layoffs, hiring freezes, benefit cuts, and general anxiety. But some industries were much safer harbors for workers than others. Healthcare, most notably, managed to expand its payrolls, though not at the clip customary for a healthier economy. It's clear that the recession is ending and that employers aren't slashing jobs with the blunt instrument they used over the past two years, but many unemployed workers and college students have a question that can't be answered by upticks in the GDP, namely: Where on earth will the jobs be?

For this year's list, U.S. News examined the Labor Department's brand-new job growth projections for 2008 to 2018. We looked for occupations that will add jobs at an above-average rate over the next decade or so and those that provide an above-average median income. We analyzed the data for jobs with enough bulk to make them worth mentioning. Since not everyone wants to be a nurse or an engineer, we looked for occupations in a broad range of categories. And since not everyone can go back to school for a doctorate, we included a broad range of educational requirements. We also considered, where possible, data on job satisfaction, turnover, and impending retirements,which crank up openings in jobs that may have only slightly above-average employment growth.

In the end, we found a list of 50 jobs that present some of the best opportunities for workers in five categories. In the science and technology field, jobs range from network architect to meteorologist. This category includes the fastest-growing occupation—with a 72 percent growth rate that far outstrips the 10 percent average across careers—of biomedical engineer. Biomedical engineers help develop the equipment and devices that improve or enable the preservation of health. They're working to grow cardiac tissue or develop tomorrow's MRI machines, asthma inhalers, and artificial hearts. Computer software engineers, on the other hand, are working to develop tomorrow's hottest video game—or missile system.

As the baby boomer generation ages, the healthcare industry will continue to offer some of the best opportunities for employment. Aside from better known—but still promising—careers such as registered nurse or veterinarian, there are slightly more under-the-radar careers that require less schooling, such as X-ray technician, lab technician, or physical therapist assistant. There are also promising occupations at the intersection of healthcare and education: school psychologist and medical and public-health social worker. Those drawn to teaching or to civic service might want to take a look at urban planning, firefighting, or special education.

There are plenty of promising jobs in the business and finance fields, although the opportunities have shifted a bit because of the economic shake-up. Consumers continue to seek the advice and experience of personal financial advisers, while investment banks, insurance companies, and fund management firms increasingly rely on the work of financial analysts, who gauge the performance, health, and value of companies in which a firm may want to invest. There are less well-known careers here, too, including cost estimator, a job critical to companies that need to price out projects before they start, and logistician, the unsung hero of global commerce who manages the supply chain.

Creative jobs often get short shrift as promising opportunities, given that competition can be fierce and interest high. However, there will be plenty of demand for technical writers, curators, and film and video editors. Some service jobs can also be easily overlooked despite the excellent opportunities they provide. Plumbers are the butt of plenty of jokes, but the career could be a great choice for someone who wants on-the-job training and has the needed physical stamina. Likewise, employment of security system installers is forecast to jump 25 percent between 2008 and 2018. Sometimes, a recession shows you that the best jobs aren't the ones that grab headlines or dazzle strangers. Rather, they're the ones that offer a stable paycheck and a little satisfaction at the end of the day.

See the entire list of the 50 Best Careers of 2010!

Katz, Sapper & Miller: Provides 'Green Makeover' at Broad Ripple School in Indianapolis

2009-11-24T06:02:00.000-08:00

(INDIANAPOLIS) -- Last week, 215 employees of locally-based certified public accounting firm Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP rolled up their sleeves and donated their time as they take part in KSM Community Day, the firm's first-ever day of community service. The event took place at Broad Ripple Magnet High School for the Arts & Humanities. Katz, Sapper & Miller employees spent the day working together alongside students to provide a "green makeover" of the school grounds. The project was being coordinated by Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.

As part of the beautification project, 50 trees were planted around the school. That activity is part of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful's NeighborWoods program, which has a goal of planting 100,000 trees in the city of Indianapolis between 2007 and 2017. Additionally, Katz, Sapper & Miller volunteers planted ornamental grasses and over 100 perennials in 28 planters around the school grounds, along with weeding existing grass and concrete beds and planting over 100 daffodil bulbs and native plants in those areas.

Other volunteers participated in projects involving the construction of a stone wall and pathway and the building and installation of five planter benches, including a planter bench shade structure made from materials that once comprised the roof of the former RCA Dome. The planting of perennials and mulching rounded out the outdoor activities while inside the school volunteers painted a mural.

"Katz, Sapper & Miller has a long history of giving back to the community through our participation with a variety of charitable and not-for-profit organizations," said David Resnick, Managing Partner. "Establishing an annual day of service where we could integrate our philanthropic interests with our environmental concerns seemed like a logical next step, and we're excited to be partnering with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful in this important endeavor at Broad Ripple High School."

"We are so proud of this inaugural partnership with Katz, Sapper and Miller," said David Forsell, President of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. "KIB works in a collaborative process, bringing together people from all over the city for the common purpose of cleaning up and greening up. Broad Ripple High School came to KIB through our Project Green Schools program looking for just that. The work accomplished at the school will have a long-lasting impact on the school grounds, the students and the neighborhood."

Let INDOT know that we want a Complete Streets policy

2009-11-17T11:55:00.000-08:00

Hello, Complete Streets supporter!

There is an opportunity to provide INDOT with information about Complete Streets. In addition to public hearings being held this week in several parts of the state, comments from the public can be submitted directly to INDOT via an online form on their website.

Please take this opportunity to let INDOT know that we want a Complete Streets policy as part of the planning for the safety of our citizens. Please take just a few minutes to click on the link below and leave a comment in your own words that contains one of the following messages:

For these and all future planning projects, please use Complete Streets policy
All projects should be accessible by all modes of travel, including vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles and transit
Complete streets elements should be a key part of your planning
Have the needs of all users been considered as with a Complete Streets policy?

http://www.in.gov/indot/div/public/INSTIPCommentForm.htm

When INDOT hears from many of you from all over the state, they will understand that the public is interested in the planning and construction of our local, state, and federal roadways.

THANK YOU for sending your message!
The Indiana Coalition for Complete Streets

Congress needs to hear from you!

2009-11-12T06:03:00.000-08:00

UPARR is Back! ASLA members are encouraged to use the Advocacy Network to urge their legislators to co-sponsor H.R. 3734, the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act. This measure would provide grants for the creation, rehabilitation, and maintenance of parks and recreational spaces. The legislation includes several provisions that could utilize the skills of landscape architects. H.R. 3734 is meant to replace the now “defunct” Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) program.

Currently ASLA members have sent 237 messages to their members of Congress. However, more advocacy efforts are needed – please send your message today!

INASLA's Tour of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Headquarters

2009-11-04T12:13:00.001-08:00

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) Headquarters in Fountain Square Indianapolis, Indiana, is the first civic nonprofit building in Indiana to receive LEED-Gold certification by the US Green Building Council. The Indiana Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects (INASLA) teamed with KIB to sponsor a KIB facility and grounds sustainability tour on September 24, 2009. The event brought back a team of professionals that worked together to make the new KIB Headquarters possible. Presenters included Cameron Smith – Shiel Sexton project engineer, Phil Schaefer - KIB VP of programs, and Chris Ranck - RW Armstrong project manager.

The KIB-INASLA event began with a presentation on LEED certification. Cameron Smith led the charge as the LEED administrator for the KIB facility and discussed the LEED design and process. He discussed the importance of having LEED goals defined early in the process and the roles they play. As the LEED administrator, Cameron was the link from the owner to the MEP, Architect, General Contractor, Civil Engineer and Landscape Architect. Sharing his experience and professional knowledge on LEED, Cameron was able to reach out to the audience and deliver a terrific PowerPoint presentation.

To develop the KIB LEED program, Cameron used an ECO-charette, or a collaborative design session in which multi-discipline professionals bring ideas and solutions together to meet design intent. Having multiple disciplines participate in the charette gave everyone an opportunity to reach out and explore ideas and defuse problems that normally arise in the design development phase. Discussions revolved around “Green Vegetative” versus “White” roofs. Questions included: “What is roof access and visibility?” “What are energy savings, weight, additional reinforcement, and cost?” “Should the roof drainage be routed and sent to one of the rain gardens to be filtered or should water be captured to a cistern?” Weighing each options’ advantages play an important role in the LEED certification process, design and construction.

Education and outreach programs at KIB are an important part of their sustainable program. Upon arrival at KIB, one will immediately notice the interpretive signage that tells the KIB LEED story on innovative green technology. Simple changes to traditional design and building functions allow for immediate benefits in savings. There are more than twenty interpretive panels installed throughout the site. Phil Schaefer brought the interpretive signs to life as he led the group through the building on an interactive guided tour. His enthusiasm and first hand knowledge on facility energy savings, construction, maintenance and operational benefits are inspiring.

KIB LEED facility savings are broken into five categories: conserving energy, protecting water, making places, purifying air and reducing consumption. So one may ask, “What makes the KIB facility green?” The site is developed on a Brownfield, and stormwater drains through a pervious concrete parking lot to planting beds and rain gardens. Wind turbines generate electricity, and a cistern collects white roof water. The facility has carpet tiles made from mill scraps, occupancy-sensored lighting controls, day lighting, a water conservation bathroom system and a multi-functional storage and gathering space. KIB aligned established facility goals with their mission of “Uniting people to build community and transform public spaces through aesthetic and environmental improvement”.

A discussion on how KIB and the City of Indianapolis manage stormwater concluded the tour. Chris Ranck demonstrated a great PowerPoint presentation and led a panel discussion on small micro sites and large macro metropolitan site practice and policy. He emphasized stormwater control and monitoring for micro and macro stormwater systems need to work together to improve existing systems. Chris also reviewed stormwater practices that will benefit Indianapolis’ combined sewer overflow (CSO) system.

CSOs are sewer systems designed to collect rainwater runoff and domestic sewage in the same pipe. The frequency of overflow events has been increasing over the years. During an overflow, sewage gets discharged into nearby streams and water bodies. This untreated waste is toxic to stream ecosystems. Today, there are 772 cities in the United States that have CSOs. The Indianapolis CSO system is currently under review along with other metropolitan cities across the country. Green infrastructure systems are proving to be a cost-effective approach that is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

At the KIB facility, Chris completed a “micro scale” stormwater model. From data collected, he is able to extrapolate “micro-scale” benefits to “macro-scale” sites. By calculating benefits on a “micro-scale” and generating “macro-scale” models, preliminary studies are showing a cost savings on a micro level and the potential for tremendous cost savings at the macro level. Based on the analysis to date, the City of Indianapolis’ could realize $10,000 - $20,000 per acre in CSO capital cost savings per acre of redevelopment similar to KIB. However, the city is cautious in factoring in these savings into current CSO project designs until more green infrastructure sites have been built.

The City of Indianapolis model shows how we can reduce total CSO events per year in a time when we are seeing an increase in 100 year storm events resulting in more CSO events than ever before. Chris also noted Indianapolis has a pilot project called the Fall Creek bio-retention which entails post construction monitoring, water quantity and water quality. Monitoring these systems has tangible benefits. Chris also noted the Green Infrastructure Master Plan prepared by the Office of Sustainability and Williams Creek Consulting.

By the numbers, the KIB LEED-Gold certified facility has 25% (53,000 kWh/year) energy savings, 36% (16,500 gallons/year) water savings, and 79% (535 tons) waste reduction diverted from landfill. This is a $7,500 annual savings with an average 15 year return on investment. Other benefits include a heightened profile and the opportunity to tour over 3,000 people through the facility in less than a year, each of them learning more about KIB’s impact in the city.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and Indiana Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects would like to thank everyone who presented and participated in the KIB tour.

Presentation contact information:

Phil G. D. Schaefer, VP of Programs
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB)
1029 Fletcher Ave.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46203
ph 317.264.7555
ph 317.264.7555 x 109 (direct)
www.kibi.org
pschaefer@kibi.org

Cameron Smith, Project Engineer LEED- AP
SHIEL SEXTON HEADQUARTERS
902 North Capitol Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204
ph 317.423.6000
Fax 317.423.6300
www.shielsexton.com
csmith@shielsexton.com

Chris Ranck, Project Manager
RW Armstrong
Union Station / 300 South Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46225
ph 317.780.7263
ph 317.327.8728 (ICST)
fx 317.788.0957
www.rwarmstrong.com
www.cranck@rwa.com

Jhennifer Sanchez, LEEP-AP
Smock Fansler Corporation
2910 W. Minnesota St
Indianapolis, Indiana 46241
ph 317.248.8371
www.smockfansler.com
* Construction representation for panel discussion.

Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization affiliated with professionals around the world. WEF works to preserve and enhance the global water environment.
* The WEF organization claims a copyright on Chris Ranck’s technical paper and presentation,

Ball State University Master of Urban Design Program

2009-11-02T08:21:00.000-08:00

The Urban Design degree is a brand new program to Ball State. It is a combination of Ball State's College of Architecture and Planning's pre-existing degrees: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning and Historic Preservation.

Urban Design is the process of transforming spaces into places that inspire active civic life by design and creative problem solving. Urban Designers study places of interest that may have been forgotten or neglected and imagine a new life for those places. The master's students at Ball State learn through real- life experiences and interaction with surrounding professionals and communities. The profession requires a broad knowledge of topics including sustainability, community engagement, and much more. More information regarding the Urban Design program is found by visiting the BSU Indianapolis CEnter at 50 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis or by visiting here.

To learn more on Ball State University offerings for Architecture, Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, contact Mr. Brad Beaubien or Ms. SHerri Agnew at the Ball State University Indanapolis Campus.

ACE Mentor Program, Manual H. S. – Bring out the “Bumwad”

2009-11-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

Hosting the event, Ball State University Indianapolis (BSU) invited ACE Mentor students of Manual High School to learn about Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design. Mr. Brad Beaubien, BSU Indianapolis Director, teamed with Ms. Sherri Agnew, an Urban Design Graduate Assistant, to review Ball State University campus and make recommendations to students planning for college. Ms. Agnew offered insight on her preparation for college and professional development experiences. She gave students motivation and encouragement for High School college preparation classes and summer course offerings.

BSU HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER WORKSHOP
Sherri Agnew discussed an introductory program to the College of Architecture and Planning that is offered to high school students. This program is a two-week summer workshop that introduces students to the exciting world of environmental design and problem solving by enjoyable hands-on activities and projects. During those two weeks, students live in the dorms, become acquainted with the campus, architecture building and faculty. The program is taught by Ball State CAP faculty and assisted by students in the Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Urban Planning undergraduate programs. Interested students and family can visit here for more information.

BSU INDIANAPOLIS
To expand on college offerings, Mr. Beaubien and Ms. Agnew discussed BSU’s Indianapolis campus advantages and work they do in the City of Indianapolis. One upcoming project, the Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) will be held on October 28, 29 and 30. This event will have national companies, local professionals and community members joining together to explore sustainable neighborhood renewal. The SDAT will be a three day charrette, concentrating on gathering community input, visions and policies that benefit community and neighborhood redevelopment. Some of the ACE Mentors from Manual Team will be participating in it and hope to bring an anticipated commuter train station site from the charrette to share with all of the ACE Teams as their ACE project site.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Presenting Landscape Architecture on behalf of Claire Bennett and Associates (CBA) was Mr. Doug Decker and Mr. Dan Krzywicki. They discussed the Landscape Architecture design and plan implementation process on the JW Marriott project.

The new 1400 room Indianapolis JW Marriott Hotel complex has been an exciting project for them and the City of Indianapolis. It is the crown jewel of Marriott and will be connected to newly expanded Indiana Convention Center via skybridge.

Referencing the JW Marriott, Mr. Decker emphasized that Landscape Architecture involves creative thought to manipulate the physical environment. He explained to the students that this project and others evolve through a collaborative process involving numerous design disciplines working as a team. The students gained valuable information and now realize it is common to develop multiple concepts before a final plan gets approval.

Mr. Decker also informed the ACE students that due to the JW Marriott’s premiere downtown location, the highly visible site has been designed to reflect the State of Indiana history. Intriguing design elements include sculptural abstractions of the state tree (Tulip tree), state bird (Cardinal) and state flower (Peony) designed with a water feature as part of an art plaza designed in collaboration with a public artist.

While discussing the JW Marriott project, Mr. Decker expanded on other types of Landscape Architecture projects; stating that each new project presents design challenges and opportunities. Projects range from the revitalization of downtowns and historic main streets, to waterfront master planning, to parks and greenways master planning and design, and sustainable “Green” design practices.

Mr. Decker explained that in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, each project goes through a similar process; the project program, conceptual design, design development, construction documentation and construction administration. As a Landscape Architect or architect, one participates on a wide variety of private and public projects and there are on-going partnerships and collaboration with multi-discipline design firms.

Mr. Decker concluded with a statement that the Landscape Architect’s (and Architect’s) profession is committed to continuing education, personal and professional well being and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. They value the environment and embrace the principles of sound sustainable planning and design.

ACE MENTOR STUDENT PROJECT - “BUMWAD”, ARCHITECTURE
Student teams were organized into groups for an architectural design activity. ACE Mentors, Matt Bartlett (The ACE Team Leader for Manual), Daryn Fair, Kara Cwalina, Mike Tanis and Evans Wells, all assisted the students in their quest for ideas and accurate drawings - with a creative flare.

The sharpie markers were FAT and juice was rolling; “bumwad” was flying through the air and the ball caps were tossed in the corner. The students were taught some concept plan basics in a collaborative group effort. Teamed with their mentors; each group was given the charge to re-design a conference room space into a grand reception and entry for the BSU Center with a welcome desk, lounge seating, connecting passages and doorways as well as to explore finish and flooring options. Of course, there were BIG screen TV’s added to design by students.

To begin, they surveyed the working space to define existing area parameters. Then they grabbed some tape measures to ensure accurate measurements. Two team members measured space while another documented the distance on a base drawing. No rubber scales or foot measurements were permitted. Students learned to how to read architectural scales and created scaled drawings. Then each team was challenged to redesign the room on bumwad trace over their scaled plan.

Each group then gave a brief presentation of their scheme; the presentations were terrific! It is amazing how much is gained with students engaged in such an experience. Each team developed a design using the same space and each team came up with creative and unique designs that offered spirit and sense of ownership.

Rainwater Harvesting and Condensate Recovery - New Tools for Sustainable Site Development - A Presentation by Tom Barrett

2009-10-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

"Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink." wrote Samuel Taylor Coleridge in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. In its Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers rated our nation's wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water systems a "D” minus. This is the lowest grade in any infrastructure category. The most alarming conclusion is the next lowest grade is "F" - FAILURE. Over the last fifty years America has not invested in new practices and technologies which can enhance our infrastructure and our environment. Rainwater harvesting and condensate recovery are transformative approaches to sustainable site development. "The over-borrowing, over-consuming, and under-innovation (is) now in the US. . .," Antonio van Aqtmael said in an October 2007 issue of Newsweek. As engineering solutions to water management that protects, restores, and mimics the natural water cycle. Rainwater harvesting and condensate recovery incorporates both the natural environment and engineered systems to provide clean water, conserve ecosystems, and provide a wide variety of benefits for people and wildlife. Additionally, all this can be accomplished at a significantly lower cost than conventional concrete and mortar infrastructure. Join Tom Barrett as he explains how the use of locally produced water helps develop a “natural approach” to efficient use of water and relieves stormwater management issues.

What Others Said About This Presentation:
". . . best class at CCGT so far, rainwater data, new ideas, charts and stats, all the different ways I can use the rainwater for my home."

" . . . great speaker, the positive outlook, no blame game, examples (drip system), knowledgeable, class got to participate.

Speaker’s Biography - Tom Barrett

Tom Barrett is an accomplished corporate growth and change agent with over thirty years of landscape industry experience. Tom’s leadership experience, holding executive level positions, drives corporate revenue growth through change and innovation for business start-ups, corporate expansions, and divisional turnarounds. Tom Barrett has been delivering energetic, dynamic presentations and training for over twenty years. These presentations empower people to become masters of change rather than victims of circumstance by developing tools for transformative thinking. "Tom's been a leader with smart water technologies, green roofs, rainwater harvesting and other emerging technologies well before they became buzzwords at water conferences. It's impressive to work with Tom because he knows his stuff from the ground up.” - Jeff Carowitz, Principal, Strategic Force, Inc.

Creative Projects with Concrete and More!

2009-10-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a way to improve your projects? Feel like there is something holding you back? Do you desire more? Then being creative in your projects should evolve with your projects. Working with specialized contractors will give you an opportunity to deliver notable projects with cost effective solutions.

How do you find good contractors? Good contractors can be found on Angie’s list, at building supply stores, at job sites, and through referrals. Look for companies that have been in business for a number of years, talk with other consultants and ask the clients if they were satisfied with quality of work and time it took to complete the job. Finding contractors to bid projects may take some time initially, and once you have an approved group, you will see great results. Some of your projects can list pre-qualified or preferred member contractors. A good contractor creates a win-win situation that can promote competitive bidding, reduce change orders and improve construction documents when they go out for bid.

Why do contractors help? Why not? Contractors love the opportunity to participate as a project member, especially when they can bid the work. They can offer design and material suggestions, make recommendations on design details, and schedules. They help can be extremely valuable and they are a great resource for design details. Conventional design details can make or break a great project and knowing what allowances to make when they are modified can ease the construction process, save time and potential cost savings.

Construction industry professionals offer contractor services for construction management; value engineering, quality control, cost estimating, constructability analysis, and construction. Some contractors offer fee based services while others work or team with consultants for bid packages. They can also help identify ways reduce project cost, while maintaining design intent, quality details and specifications.

A recent site visit at Smock Fansler gave me the opportunity to learn more about taking a standard product and making it unique. Smock Fansler is quoted saying, “It’s not about construction; it’s about better places to live”. They specialize in concrete products and more. One of their concrete specialty items includes pervious pavement. They have several test plots where pervious concrete was mixed and poured using different material size, shape and balance. At Keep Indianapolis Beautiful’s new LEED-Gold facility, pervious concrete tested met the criteria and successfully installed.

They have many unique projects that began as a “Big Idea” and evolved into a work of art. They love projects that challenge creative minds and enjoy working with Landscape Architects on gardens, parks, fountains, hardscapes, specialty molds, special soil blends for green projects and everything concrete. They offer stamped, colored and stenciled concrete finishes, custom concrete rocks/boulders, exposed aggregate finishes, custom art molds and pervious concrete. Some concrete test include durability, weight, along with textures, acid stained, sealants, and lighting using special materials to enhance look at night while maintaining a natural look.

To learn more on creative solutions and sustainable construction practice at Smock Fansler, bring your questions to the INASLA Annual Meeting and Design Awards Presentation on October 23, 2009. Smock Fansler representatives will discuss projects from a contractors point of view. For your project needs, contact Ms. Jhennifer Sanchez, LEEP-AP at 317-248-8371.

The ACE Mentor Program - Learn why so many people have become mentors.

2009-10-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

The ACE Mentor Program was founded in 1995 as an innovative way of attracting students, particularly minorities, women and the less privileged into engineering profession. It is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in the design/build construction industry through mentoring; and to support their continued advancement in the industry through scholarships and grants.

The program relies on mentors, professionals from leading design and construction firms, who devote countless off-duty hours and personal energy to introduce students to a broad range of people, projects and career possibilities within the construction industry.

In 1991, working with the Explorer Program of the Boy Scouts of America, the program began with one team of thirty students, mentored by volunteers from four firms. Year-by-year, participation grew and in 1995, the independent nonprofit ACE Mentor Program, Inc. was formed.

The program growth has been phenomenal:

From one team of 30 students in one city mentored by volunteers from four firms in 1991
To teams in twenty-eight cities with more than 1800 students and 600 professional mentors in 2003
To teams in sixty-four cities with more than 3,600 students and 1200 mentors in 2004
To teams in eighty cities with more than 5,000 students and 1500 mentors in 2006
To teams in ninety-three cities with more than 7,500 students and 2100 mentors in 2007
To teams in one hundred and thirty-six cities with more than 9,300 students and over 2500 mentors in 2008

Since 1995, more than 50,000 students have had the opportunity to participate in the ACE Mentoring program. 80% are minority, 52% are female and 92% go on to 2 or 4 year colleges, training or apprenticeship programs.

All activities on the part of the mentoring firms are donated by the firms.

The Program
Students are recruited from both public and private high schools, with special efforts made to reach those women and minorities who might otherwise not be aware of the challenges and rewards of careers in the design and construction industries. Students selected for the program are divided into teams of twenty to thirty. They work under the guidance of mentors from firms representing owners, architects, construction managers and engineers (civil and mechanical). Teams are also affiliated with a college or university.

Teams meet at least fifteen times during the course of the school year in an after-school program. Initial meetings involve visits to the offices of the involved firms where the scopes of their activities are discussed and a tour of the facilities conducted. Each team then selects a design project that may require site acquisition, as well as the drawing of plans, the building of models, and other related activities. Students go through the entire design process, with the tasks they perform for their “clients” modeled on the real-life activities of their mentoring firms. Among the skills they learn are drawing to scale and estimating the cost of a job, skills that their mentors utilize in performing their daily professional duties.

At the end of the school year, there is a major culminating event at which all teams present their projects, much as actual design teams would present to their clients.

ACE Scholarships
Scholarship funds are raised through local events to help graduating seniors defray some of the costs of attending college. Each graduating senior is given the opportunity to apply for an ACE Mentor Program scholarship and a committee, with input from team mentors, selects the scholarship winners. Since 1996, scholarships totaling $8.2 million have been awarded.

Moving Towards a Transformational Transportation Bill

2009-10-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

At the American Planning Association (APA) Federal Policy Briefing, which began on Sunday, John Robert Smith, CEO and President of Reconnecting America and a leader of the Transportation for America (T4America) network, and Devon Barnhart, legislative counsel for transportation, urban and natural resource issues for Congressman Albio Sires of New Jersey, called for a transformation in federal transportation policy so that federal investment better supports the development of multi-modal urban transportation networks, increased inter-connections in rural areas, and improved walkability and bikeability across communities. With the upcoming reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, the USD 286 billion transportation legislation, there is an opportunity to put U.S. transportation on a new path away from highways and towards sustainable, accessible forms of transportation, including rail, and public transit.

In introducing the panel, Roxanne Blackwell, Federal Affairs Manager, ASLA, said: “all of us in this room know and understand that how a community is designed, including the layout of its roads, buildings and parks, has a huge impact on the life and health of its residents and on the overall economic health and viability of our nation as a whole.”

Devon Barnhart, Legislative Counsel, Congressman Albio Sires: Congressman Sires is looking towards the upcoming authorization of surface transportation legislation as an opportunity to “keep people and goods moving in a sustainable manner.” Sires’ district contains almost all forms of transportation, including airports, ports, mass transit, Amtrak, and ferries. The port alone serves 1/3 of the nearby population, and generates enormous economic activity for the area. However, existing transportation networks, particularly for freight, also create “quality of life” issues, including pollution.

Barnhart said the new Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system, which runs through the district, has helped ameliorate some of these issues. Along the rail line, “there was lots of blight, old industrial sites. Now, there’s lots of tie-in, and commercial growth.” There have also been new condos and brownstones. However, Barnhart noted a big downside: it’s made it impossible for low-income people who need access to public transportation to live along the new light rail line.

Barnhart argued that complete streets are particularly crucial to dense communities like those in Sires’ district. Barnhart added that ”people are still trying to strip complete streets out of bills,” and urged planners and landscape architects to meet with their representatives and highlight the importance of complete streets projects in their districts (even if they are rural).

John Robert Smith, Reconnecting America / T4America: Robert Smith was the long-time mayor of Meridian, Mississippi, where he oversaw the development of an innovative transit-oriented development project. Smith led the development of a multi-modal transportation network and leveraged USD one million in government money to bring in USD 135 million in private sector investment around the new transportation hub. In a city of 350,000, the new transportation hub led to the restoration of the local opera house, a new conference center, and department stores. Meridian also now has the 15th largest urban forest in the U.S. The urban forest includes bike paths and trails.

Smith said the U.S. needs a “transformational transportation bill.” It can no longer just be about “asphalt,” but needs to be about “rail — light, heavy, high-speed, and include housing, planning, metrics, and smart growth.”

Transportation for America (T4America), an organization in which Smith plays a lead role, now has 360 partner organizations, and sends some 50,000 emails to Congress in each campaign. T4America is aiming for a transformational surface transportation bill that can provide incentives for:

Affordable housing near mass transit
Robust transit, walking, biking
Improved mobility options for senior, low-income residents and veterans
Incorporation of local voices (transportation is often sited within highway departments and the U.S. needs to get away from highway development)
Green ports and freight.

Given that SAFETEA-LU, which passed in 2005, just expired, the current gas tax which funds all sustainable transportation work is also up for renegotiation. The U.S. Senate and administration want an 18 month extension into 2011. Regardless of how long the extension lasts, the issues need to be dealt with immediately. “Revenue from the gas tax doesn’t cover SAFETEA-LU. New sources of revenue are needed and there are different ways to do this.” New funds are needed for public transit and regional planning around transit-oriented development. Smith said the numbers aren’t critical, but what is needed is a basic change in the way the U.S. sees transportation. A new surface transportation bill must be transformational, and include housing, rail, environmental sustainability, if the U.S. wants to retain its economic competitiveness.

Smith added that “no rail system pays for itself.” In Europe, governments invest heavily in rail systems because of other economic, social, and health benefits they provide. In the U.S., “we spend more on highway roadkill clean-up than passenger rail.”

Smith and Barnhart encouraged people to check out MyCommuteSucks.org, and urged architects, landscape architects, and planners to get politically involved in their communities.

Image credit: Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Flickr

ACE Mentoring Indiana is in pursuit of Light Rail

2009-10-06T08:47:00.001-07:00

In September, Indiana’s ACE Mentoring program started the year by introducing mentors and students at selected high schools. The program began with students introducing themselves and talking about their interests. Then the mentors reviewed the program’s goals and student expectations regarding advanced learning, networking, scholarships, and internship opportunities.

To create early interaction between the students and mentors, the first session consisted of designing and constructing name tags. The ACE mentor leader played the role of project owner and students were placed into designer and contractor groups alongside mentors. Once project “name tag” began, the owner began watching the time and reviewing team efforts.

This exercise incorporated project name tags as an introduction to the light rail project the students will undertake for this years mentoring project. The student’s thought process begins to develop as they work in teams and communicating ideas. Their project “name tag”, communicated the design intent on paper for contractors to bid. Some used text and others used drawings to detail size, color, shape, etc. They learned that a clearly defined design parameter helped the contractors accurately bid the work. This bidding process was based on time and effort to complete the name tags.

Look OUT! Did someone say, “Change order?” Of course there were change orders, and the owner made last minute request to keep everyone scrambling. The session concluded by evaluating the project time in addition to product quality to determine which team provided the best product solution. To conclude project “name tag”, the mentors initiated discussion on lessons learned and how the exercise reflects actual construction and design parameters.

Students will begin their next session with an on-site visit focusing on architecture and landscape architecture professions. To learn more or sign-up as a landscape architect mentor, go the acementor.org, select the mentor tab on the top left of the page and select online application. Please note background checks are completed in about five minutes at the City County Building, so do not fill out the on-line background check. You may also contact Daryn Fair at 317-578-4462 or daryn.fair@gmail.com.

SDAT Workshop- Professional Participation Requested

2009-10-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

Be a part of the exciting Sustainable Design Assessment Team. We need local professionals to help explore a new model for sustainable neighborhood renewal. From affordable housing and quality jobs to green infrastructure and brownfields, chances are there is a topic you have critical expertise in. This is a great opportunity to give back to our community and help shape public policy in a manner that benefits a neighborhood we've long neglected.

The workshop is a three-day affair, concentrating on gathering community input on Wednesday, interpretting that input into several alternative visions and policies for the future on Thursday, and wrapping everything into a cohesive story for a public presentation on Friday. All work will be evaluated against a series of Policies and Goals previously identified through the Smart Growth Renewal process.

All food (and good food at that!) and snacks will be provided.
We will have standard charrette supplies, but you are welcome to bring your own materials.
You will receive recognition in the report.
This program can be counted towards your CEU requirement.

The charrette track will work in three multidisciplinary teams to explore alternative renewal scenarios and be led by a local professional. Full-workshop (October 28, 29, 30) participation is critical to maintain concept continuity and we ask that you register for as many days as possible. If you only can dedicate one day, Thursday is probably the most critical. Download a complete schedule.

For more information please visit the Sustainable Design Assessment Team website.

Pilot Projects to Test First National Rating System for Sustainable Landscapes

2009-10-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ announced a November 5 call for pilot projects that will test the first national rating system for sustainable landscapes. The Initiative is a partnership between the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden to create guidelines and performance benchmarks for sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings. The announcement took place at the ASLA Annual Meeting in Chicago.

The Initiative will accept applications starting November 5 and closing February 15, 2010, in conjunction with the release of the next report and new rating system, online at www.sustainablesites.org. Any type of designed landscape is eligible to participate, ranging from academic and corporate campuses, parks and recreation areas, transportation corridors to single residences so long as the total size exceeds 2,000 square feet. Fees for participating in the pilot project process may run between $500 to $5,000 depending on project size. Approximately 75 to 150 projects will take part in testing the rating system.

Until now, design and construction rating systems included little recognition for benefits of sustainable landscape and site design. Landscapes can clean water, reduce pollution and restore habitats, all while providing significant economic benefits to land owners and municipalities. The U.S. Green Building Council, a stakeholder in the Initiative, anticipates incorporating the Sustainable Sites guidelines and performance benchmarks into future iterations of its LEED® Green Building Rating System™. More information is available at www.sustainablesites.org.

2009 INASLA Annual Meeting and Design Awards Presentation Registration Information

2009-09-25T11:04:00.000-07:00

2009 INASLA Annual Meeting and Design Awards Presentation

Friday, October 23, 2009
University Place Conference Center
850 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN

Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. I
t was loaned to you by your children."
Kenyan Proverb

Registration Form

Save $30 if you register before October 10!

7:30- 8:30 Registration and Participant Breakfast

8:00-8:30 Welcome comments

8:30- 10:00 Keynote Speaker

Kaid Benfield, Director- NRDC's Smarth Growth and Transportation Program
"Landscape architects have always been at the forefront of environmental responsibility. But what does this mean in the 21st century? Climate change is not only coming: it's here. And so is rapid population growth. Over half of the homes, shops, schools, and workplaces we will need in 20 years aren't built yet. We had better get it right. And we can."

Kaid Benfield is director of the smart growth program at the Natural
Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in Washington, D.C. He co-founded LEED for Neighborhood Development and the national coalition Smart Growth America. He is author or co-author of several books on sustainable development, including Solving Sprawl, Smart Growth In a Changing World,and Green Community, forthcoming from the American Planning Association.

Kaid is also one of the environmental community's leading online voices through his daily Switchboard blog. He is a graduate of Emory University and Georgetown University Law Center.

10:15-11:30 Concurrent Breakout Session #1

Allyson Pumphrey, City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability
Indianapolis's Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative

Allyson Pumphrey from the City's Office of Sustainability will discuss the background & priorities of the Office of Sustainability. Specifically, she will highlight the Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative- a multi-faceted, multi-department approach to integrating green stormwater infrastructure into the overall solution for the City's water quantity/quality challenges by providing cost savings for the public side and incentives for the private side. She will also provide an update on current projects, recent accomplishments, and ongoing goals of the Office.

Alan Culwell, Attorney- Bingham, McHale LLP
Land Use Law and LEED for Neighborhood Development
Session description still to come! Stay tuned for additional information.

11:45-2:00 Lunch and INASLA Awards Presentation

Luncheon Speaker
Brian Dougherty, ASLA VP of Membership

2:15-3:30 Concurrent Breakout Session #2

Tom Barrett, Green Water Infrastructure, Inc.
Rainwater Harvesting and Condensate Recovery- New Tools for Sustainable Sites
Rainwater Harvesting and Condensate Recovery - New Tools for Sustainable Sites Capturing and using rainwater is enjoying revival as an alternate source of water to enhance the landscape. Up to 90% of the rain, which falls onto a site, can be captured, stored, and used to create a sustainable community.

Additionally, the water condensing from air conditioning units during thesummer months in hot humid areas can produce thousands of gallons of water each day. It is possible to combine rainwater harvesting and condensate recovery to irrigate the landscape. Join Tom Barrett as he explains how use of locally produced, non- potable water helps develop a "natural approach" to efficient use of water and relieves stormwater management issues.

Eric Ummel, Heartland Restoration

Installation Methods and key elements of design/ specifications of native prairies, pond edges and stream bank stabilization
Learn what makes a native prairie seed installation successful directly from the contractor. Eric Ummel, Director of Heartland Restoration Services, Inc. has been installing prairies for 10 years. He can answer your questions from what key elements to specify in your design, to what your client should expect through the first five years after installation. This presentation will focus on proper site preparation, installation techniques, and both short and long-term management needs.

3:45- 5:00 Concurrent Breakout Session #3
Dan Overby, AIA, LEED AP
LEED 2009 and Sustainable Sites Initiative Update
Earlier this year, the U.S. Green Building Council launched the latest version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System*. LEED Version 3 builds on the fundamental structure and familiarity of the existing rating system, but provides a new structure for making sure the rating system incorporates new technology and addresses the most urgent priorities like energy use and CO2 emissions. This session will provide an overview the updates and will also cover the status of the Sustainable Sites Initiative.

Representatives for Smock Fansler Corporation
Sustainability From the Contractor's Point of View
Session description still to come! Stay tuned for additional information.

A TOTAL OF 6 CEU's ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY!

ACE Mentoring Volunteer Opportunities Available!

2009-09-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

Whether you are heading downtown for work, or play, light rail is making tracks this year at ACE mentoring. The light rail theme will help you and high school students learn more about a light rail coming your way.* Take the students on local field trips, talk with other professionals and bea leader respresenting the Landscape Architecture professional in the ACE Mentor Program of Indiana.

This is the first year for Landscape Architects in Indiana and we are proud to partner with a NationalMentoring Organization. The ACE program is a unique partnership among industry professionals, including landscape architects, construction managers, engineers and architects, who work together to attract young people to their professions. Please go to www.acementor.org to sign up for this years rail pass. Once on the web site, select the mentor tab on the top left of page and go to the application form. Submit the form and contact Eric Rolle to let so he can add you to the roster for schools. This will take you about 5 minutes. Plan to have fun! DO NOT do the Lexus Nexus Screening Background Check. The screening is done through IPS.

Erica Rolle is the ACE mentor Indiana coordinator contact:
erolle@newindianapolisairport.com
317-496-9125

To learn more about INASLA involvement, please contact:
Daryn Fair, ASLA, RLA
daryn.fair@gmail.com
317-578-4462

Thank you for your participation, we are looking forward to a great year!

The Environmental Habitat Steward Certificate Program

2009-09-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

The Environmental Habitat Steward Certificate Program is designed for professionals including landscape architects, planners, architects, engineers, contractors, and developers. Participants will learn fundamental concepts in habitat management and current practices that can be used to preserve or enhance habitats. After this training, participants will be able to apply environmental principles to their traditional professional methods in creative and innovative ways based on the needs of particular project. CE credits are offered.

Please see www.indianawildlife.org/workshops.htm for more information."

This program is offered by the Indiana Wildlife Federation.

16th Annual INASLA Golf Outing

2009-08-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday August 19 INASLA, along with the help of several sponsors, pulled off the 16th Annual INASLA Golf Outing. We had a wonderful day out at Prestwick Golf Course and the weather cooperated beautifully. Well at least it did after about an hour.

A special thanks should go out to Julie Zigler with Irrigation Design Source for pulling the entire event together. This was the first year Julie couldn't be with us on the actual day of the golf outing, but thank you to April Westcott (Irrigation Design Source) and Jhennifer Sanchez (Smock Fansler Corporation) for standing in for Julie and doing a wonderful job! Also thank you for keeping us all hydrated and well fed during the day.

Now on to the final standings for the day!
Congratulations to our big winners with an impressive score of 68!

ESL Team
Randy Belden, Eric Simons, Eric Carter & Nick Oskay

You should all give yourself a round of applause for a great game of golf!

Forms + Surfaces Team
Mike Shanley, Gary Carpenter, Mike Terry & David Klauba
(still impressive score of 69!)

Pine Hall Brick Team
Bernie Dahl, Ed Curtin, Bill Brown, Daryn Fair
(score of 70!)

Firestone Specialty Products Team
Bill Johnston, Dan Adler, Time Pancake, Deane Rundell
(score of 70!)

Smock Fansler Corporation Team
Tom Fansler, Dan Syrus, Cory Daly, Andrew Livingston
(score of 71!)

Irrigation Design Source Team
David Gorden, Lisa Dunaway, Katie Clark, Rachel Uthe
(score of 72!)

Landscape Forms Team
Josh Schmackers, Blake Herbst, Greg Wade, Pete Fritz
(score of 78!)

K-Rain Team
David Byers, Randy Royer, MJ Meneley, Ben Jennings
(score of 82, and incredibly well dressed)

Again a huge thank you to all of our sponsors for the day. Without you the event wouldn't have been nearly as much fun or successful!

Landscape Architecture Rising: ENR Article on Landscape Architecture!

2009-07-06T05:49:00.000-07:00

Need to stop flooding or reduce stormwater runoff and sewer overflows? Looking to ease demand on treatment plants and avoid the cost of expansion? Seeking cleaner air or water? Interested in recharging an aquifer, rebuilding a shoreline or remediating a brownfield? Trying to stem highway pollution? Need to rebalance a watershed or ecosystem?

If so, a landscape architect may be in your future. The design professional—until recently derided as little more than a glorified gardener—is on a campaign to reclaim a seat at the environmental cleanup table. Some are even bent on sitting at the head, leading the engineers.

The movement is variously called performance-based, ecological, sustainable or green landscape architecture. Some use the terms “landscape infrastructure” or “landscape urbanism”. A rose by any name would smell as sweet, not only to landscape architects, long suffering from low self-esteem, but to localities seeking economical, less invasive and more beautiful ways to deal with the poisons of development. Read the whole story.

HUD, DOT, and EPA Form Partnership to Forward Sustainable Communities

2009-06-23T05:40:00.000-07:00

Unprecedented partnership indicates a new activism regarding issues important to the landscape architecture profession.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a new partnership to help American families in all communities—rural, suburban, and urban—gain better access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and a healthy environment.

“This is an even stronger indication that the new administration and these agencies are serious about issues that are important to the landscape architecture profession,” said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville.

At a meeting of the Smart Growth Partners hosted by the EPA on June 17, Marcia Mulkey, acting associate administrator of the EPA’s Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovations, portrayed the partnership as evidence of the administration’s commitment “to active governing around the issues of smart growth and sustainability.”

Earlier this year, HUD and DOT announced an unprecedented agreement to implement joint housing and transportation initiatives. With EPA joining the partnership, the three agencies will work together to ensure that these housing and transportation goals are met while simultaneously protecting the environment, promoting equitable development, and helping to address the challenges of climate change.

DOT, HUD, and EPA have created a high-level interagency partnership to better coordinate
federal transportation, environmental protection, and housing investments and to identify
strategies that:

provide more transportation choices
promote equitable, affordable housing
increase economic competitiveness
support existing communities
leverage federal investment
enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods—rural, urban, or suburban

Among the HUD/DOT/EPA partnership’s goals:

enhance integrated planning and investment
provide a vision for sustainable growth
redefine housing affordability and make it transparent
redevelop underused sites
develop livability measures and tools
align HUD, DOT, and EPA programs
undertake joint research, data collection, and outreach

Find a more detailed announcement online at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot8009.htm.

ASLA Annual Meeting: Register Today!

2009-06-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

Join us in Chicago, September 18–21, for the ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo. Both the website and the print brochure you will receive in early June contain all the info you need to register for the meeting, plan your travel, and book your hotel room.

The theme of our meeting is Beyond Sustainability: Regenerating Places and People. We’ve been anticipating public sentiment to turn to the need for sustaining the planet for many years. As landscape architects, we must go beyond and aspire to adopt practices that not only sustain but regenerate our ecosystems and restore diminishing biohabitats.

Programming is crafted around our theme to challenge and inspire the more than 5,000 attendees who will gather in Chicago. This meeting offers more than 125 sessions—a record in the history of ASLA—from which we may choose to earn more than 21 Professional Development Hours.

While the economic downturn has delayed our vision of green infrastructure, signs of optimism are emerging daily. The education session schedule is replete with programs on how firms are coping—and even thriving: from marketing strategies to direction on where to find new clients and projects to how to track stimulus funding opportunities. The

ASLA EXPO—the largest product display in the industry—will feature nearly 400 exhibitors, many of whom will be new to our show. We’ll recognize current and future leaders of the profession with honors and awards. And we’ll connect with our colleagues from across the country and around the world at special events throughout the weekend.

Every effort has been made to reduce costs as much as possible.

Register early and save significantly on registration rates. Ticket prices for the LARE workshops, tours, and field sessions are less expensive than last year. Air or train fare to Chicago is affordable from any point in the country. And our hotel room rates are extremely competitive. All of this is tax deductible for the individual or business, to the extent allowed by law.

The first 300 full registrants will receive a free ASLA shirt (up to $34 value), and all full registrants for the meeting will receive a complimentary one-year digital subscription to

Landscape Architecture magazine.

Join us in Chicago as we learn to go beyond sustainability to regenerate places and people.
See you in September!

Angela Dye, FASLA

ASLA President

INASLA Annual Meeting Key Note Speaker Announced!

2009-06-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Kaid Benfield is director of NRDC's smart growth and transportation program, which supports innovative solutions to sprawl and automobile dependence. Kaid is a founder and former vice chair of Smart Growth America, a national coalition working on smarter land development policy. His numerous publications include Solving Sprawl (2001) and Once There Were Greenfields (1999), NRDC's definitive books about smart growth and sprawl. He has also led NRDC's land program and its forestry and agriculture projects, and served as NRDC's legal affairs coordinator. He is a graduate of Emory University and Georgetown University Law Center.

Visit his blog and see what he has to say! http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/

House Passes Water Projects Bill

2009-03-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, March 12, the House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 317-101, H.R. 1262, the Water Quality Investment Act. The measure would authorize $19.4 billion over five years in wastewater treatment grants and loans and other water quality projects. In particular, the bill authorizes $13.8 billion for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fund that provides grants to states for infrastructure dealing with sewage, water runoff, watershed restoration, and other water infrastructure projects. Read more...

10 Great Eco-Jobs

2009-03-25T09:08:00.000-07:00

These are not your parents’ eco-careers. It wasn’t so long ago that your typical environmentalist was a whale-saving, alfalfa-sprout–eating lefty with bumper stickers slapped on the back of her VW bus. But times have changed: As environmentalism has evolved from a grassroots movement into a lifestyle, ecorelated jobs have become more fashionable, better paying, and more mainstream. From global conglomerates to small-town shops and businesses, today’s green workforce has created more eco-professionals than ever before. To showcase this sea change, Plenty interviewed men and women who are applying their green interests to a diverse array of fields. From helping high-end audio manufacturers abandon cancer-causing lead, to turning a once-gritty Midwestern city into a green jewel, to playing the renewable-energy stock market, these professionals show that caring about the environment isn’t just a way of life—it’s a great way to make a living. Read more...

Purdue University's First Sustainable Green Roof

2009-03-05T13:17:00.000-08:00

Purdue University’s first sustainable green roof will be installed on the Schleman Hall of Student Services, thanks to support from the State Farm Insurance Co. youth advisory board.

Gary Elliott, State Farm administrative services manager, presented a check for more than $68,000 to representatives of Boiler Green Initiative, a student organization that focuses on evaluating and enhancing the sustainability of Purdue and surrounding communities. Initiative President Ryan P. Cambridge, a senior from Indianapolis majoring in landscape architecture, and Vice President Am้lie Davis, a graduate student in forestry and natural resources, accepted the check on Feb. 23rd in Schleman Hall, Room B38.

Green roofs range from mossy vegetation to full-scale gardens, meadows or trees that grow on specialized structures atop buildings. Cambridge, who founded the initiative in 2006, wrote the grant and designed Schleman Hall’s green roof layout. He and other members hope to install the roof system by May. “By installing and monitoring Purdue’s first green roof, we will set a precedent for increased environmental responsibility on campus and provide a way for others to get hands-on experience with practices that lead toward a more sustainable future,” Cambridge said. “We believe one of the biggest barriers to environmental change is lack of understanding by the general public. By creating a system that can be experienced firsthand, we can help eliminate that barrier.”
Kim Wilson, landscape architecture professor and initiative adviser, said both Purdue and the environment would benefit from the new roof. “Besides being aesthetically pleasing, there are many advantages to installing green roofs,” said Wilson. “They reduce storm water runoff and heat island effects. They also improve energy efficiency and substantially extend the life of the roof by protecting it from weather-related effects.”

Elliott said Purdue’s green roof projects are a good match for his company. “State Farm recognizes that being a good neighbor means being a green neighbor,” Elliott said. “These forward-thinking community projects are just what we’re looking for because the benefits of this investment can last a lifetime.”

Cambridge said the Boiler Green Initiative’s long-term goal is to install green roofs atop all new campus buildings and retrofit buildings with flat, newly resurfaced roofs. “Because the installation of a green roof system can more than double the cost of a regular rooftop, we’re continually seeking grant support from environmentally friendly corporations such as State Farm, who want to help Purdue reduce its carbon footprint,” Cambridge said.

Future plans call for green roofs on the Discovery Park research facility Mann Hall, the Purdue Armory and a portion of the horticulture building.

Peter Lindsay Schaudt speaks at INASLA Green Expo Luncheon

2009-02-02T05:40:00.000-08:00

The Indiana Chapter of ASLA was pleased to present on January 13, its annual luncheon at the 2009 Indiana Green Expo of the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association. For twelve years the chapter has hosted a landscape architect of note from outside Indiana who has been invited to share their professional inspirations, philosophies, goals, challenges, successes, and anything else they would like to speak about. The luncheon has featured a host of most distinguished and accomplished landscape architects.

Joining that roster was this year’s speaker, Peter Lindsay Schaudt, FASLA. His Chicago based firm, Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects is nationally recognized for its design of public, institutional and commercial spaces and for creating exceptional private residential gardens. In early 2008, Peter partnered with fellow prominent Chicago landscape architect Douglas Hoerr, FASLA, to create the firm. Mr. Hoerr had earlier appeared as a luncheon speaker in 2001.
Peter spoke of his early influences growing up in Chicago amidst it architectural and landscape heritage and of his architectural training at the University of Illinois – Chicago, followed by landscape architectural education at Harvard. He reviewed the three rewarding years spent as an associate with internationally known landscape architect Daniel Kiley, an experience which has greatly influenced his work since.

Several of his most significant projects were showcased, including:

The Campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology
Revitalization of Nathan Square in Toronto
Landscape of the renovated Soldier Field on Chicago’s lakefront
The newly completed Indianapolis Central Public Library

Each, he described, had its own inherent and unique site, budget, creative or client challenges. All were designed and built with impressive results.

The audience of 40 consisted of a mix of landscape architects and green industry suppliers and consultants who were rewarded with an informative and inspiring presentation and wonderful illustration of the great work being done in the profession.

The chapter looks forward to hosting the event again next year and in-turn providing the means for its members to also take advantage to the Trade Show and continuing education opportunities presented by the Green Expo.

Ball State University Career Fair Scheduled

2009-01-16T08:55:00.000-08:00

Where: Ball State University
When: Friday, February 20, 2009 11am- 4pm

For those interested, a 6' table, electricity, breakout rooms and wireless access will be provided. The suggested participation cost is a donation of $100. Make checks payable to Ball State University Foundation with "Landscape Architecture" in the message line.
Contact Marilyn Davis if you will be able to attend.

Purdue Landscape Architecture Career Fair Scheduled

2009-01-16T08:53:00.000-08:00

Where: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
When: February 9-10, 2009

The Career Fair schedule and registration links are available at:http://agriculture.purdue.edu/oap/LACareerFair.asp or go directly Register online now.

On Monday night join us for an evening with distinguished guest Peter Walker, FASLA. This event is open to all INASLA membership! Reserve your place for dinner when you register online or call Jane if you are interested in the dinner and lecture only. The dinner costs $30 but there is no cost for the lecture only.

The 5th Annual Conservation Day at the Indiana State House

2009-01-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Alliance*

Indiana’s 2009 State Legislative Session is just around the corner. This year will be a budget-making session and we need your help to focus our legislators’ attention on conservation!

The Alliance has chosen 3 top priorities for this year:
$4 million for land protection through the Indiana Heritage Trust
$1 million for soil and water projects though Clean Water Indiana
Passage of a Renewable Electricity Standard which increases Indiana’s use of wind, solar and other types of renewable energy to 20% by 2020

Conservation Day is an incredible opportunity to show our elected officials that Hoosiers care about protecting our precious natural resources and preserving our environment. Not only is there a chance to engage legislators in matters that mean the most to us, but we'll also have the chance to learn more about conservation organizations throughout the state. Remember, the more people that attend Conservation Day, the bigger the impact. Carpool with co-workers, friends and family or take a brisk walk to the statehouse, and help make a difference!

Register at: nature.org/indiana

* The Indiana Conservation Alliance is a statewide network of over 30 nonprofit organizations providing a unified voice for the protection and wise use of natural resources to enhance our quality of life.

2009-01-16T08:31:00.000-08:00

2008-12-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

2009 Indiana Green Expo Lunch

2008-12-01T05:46:00.000-08:00

INASLA is proud to sponsor the 2009 Luncheon at the Indiana Green Expo. Mark your calendars for :

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

11:00-12:30

Indianapolis Convention Center

The featured speaker will be Peter Lindsay Schaudt, FASLA of Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects in Chicago. For more than two decades, Peter has achieved numerous design awards and honors, highlighted by the coveted Rome Prize Fellowship in Landscape Architecture and Fellowship with the American Society of Landscape Architects. His career is marked with strong credentials in the art of design, stewardship, and social responsibility. With ideals of restraint, elegance, and simplicity, Peter strives to achieve a timeless design quality for each project.

The cost for the luncheon is $25.00 and includes a box lunch and entrance into the trade show. This event also counts for 1 CEU.

For additional information on the conference and to register online visit ww.indianagreenexpo.com

ASLA In-District Advocacy Day

2008-11-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

This year ASLA In- District Advocacy Day has been scheduled for February 18, 2009!

During In-District Advocacy Day 2009, ASLA members will discuss securing federal funding for the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) and the importance of historic landscapes to our nation. ASLA maintains a HALS website to provide critical information on the program and advocacy efforts for securing its funding.

ASLA is gearing up for the 2009 ASLA In-District Advocacy Day. In-District Advocacy Day was created to help landscape architects establish and build relationships with the members of Congress and staff from their respective districts. By strengthening relationships with Members of the House of Representatives and Senate, landscape architects can better communicate their legislative priorities and realize the passage of legislation that positively impacts the practice of landscape architecture.

In-District Advocacy Day participants will also discuss the importance of good transportation planning and design for all users and including a “Complete Streets” policy in the upcoming reauthorization of the surface transportation bill. The Complete Streets Coalition, which ASLA is an active member, maintains a Web site that includes comprehensive information and tools to learn about and advocate for Complete Streets policies.

ADVOCACY TOOLS

If this is your first time visiting a Congressional office, you have no need to worry. Each Congressional District has one or more offices in the district that are established for the purpose of listening to constituent concerns.

ASLA’s Advocacy Network has a wealth of tools available including tips on visiting your Representative’s office, contact information, guidance on the legislative process and more.

Additionally, ASLA recommends that you review its “Guide To Interacting With Your Legislator” located on the ASLA website for important advocacy tips for landscape architects.

The upcoming 111th Congress will bring many new federal legislators to Congress and many new issues to the forefront of the legislative agenda. It is extremely important that landscape architects reach out to their Members of Congress and Senators to encourage them to support issues that are important to the profession.

Sustainable Sites Initative UPDATE!

2008-11-11T05:54:00.000-08:00

The Sustainable Sites Initiative invites public comment on the new report titled Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks Draft 2008, the most comprehensive set of national guidelines yet developed for the sustainable design, construction and maintenance of landscapes. The report is available for download at www.sustainablesites.org, and an online feedback form has been created for users to help improve the guidelines.

These guidelines will enable built landscapes to support natural ecological functions by protecting existing ecosystems and regenerating ecological capacity where it has been lost. The report includes more than 50 prerequisites and credit options that cover everything from initial site selection to construction and maintenance. The report represents thousands of hours with input from 37 technical advisors in hydrology, vegetation, soils, materials and human health and well being. These credits were tailored to apply to any landscape, with our without buildings.

For information, contact info@sustainablesites.org

Summer Native Plant Bus Tour

2008-10-23T10:28:00.001-07:00

Thank you to Spence Restoration Nursery for providing us with this video containing highlights of this summer's Native Plant Bus Tour. The Bus Tour was held on July 30, 2008 and was presented by Spence Restoration Nursery, EcoLogic and Williams Creek. INASLA hopes to be a part of this event in the future as well.

2008-10-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Are you preparing to take the LARE?

If so, plan on attending the INASLA Annual Meeting on Friday, October 24th for an afternoon LARE Workshop! This workshop will be most beneficial to anyone planning to take the LARE/Section C and/or E for the first time, or those who have had prior difficulty with the Sections.

The session will begin promptly after the lunch & awards presentation, and will end by 4:45pm. This workshop is packed with information on Sections C and E of the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE). Among the topics covered will be:

General LARE format
Specific Sections C and E content
Fundamental skills required
Exam scoring and pass rates
Important exam expectations and strategies
Review of example problems, solutions, and evaluations
Advice/perspective from people who recently passed the exam

Attendees will complete a short vignette problem. So BRING all the tools necessary to take these exams (pencil/eraser, engineering scale, drafting equipment, trash paper, and calculator). Once complete, we will review & discuss the vignette's solution.

Register for the conference by contacting Corrie Meyer (cmeyer@schmidt-arch.com) to confirm you attendance at this workshop. An email confirmation of attendance for this workshop is required for this session- for planning purposes. Only registered participants of the INASLA annual meeting can attend this workshop, badges will be checked.

Mail a completed form along with payment to:

INASLA

PO Box 441195

Indianapolis, IN 46244

Fees:

ASLA Members- $125.00* Non-Members- $150.00* Students- $35.00*

*Registration fees includes parking, breakfast, all educational sessions and lunch.

Progress takes time

2008-10-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

The chapter executive committee would like to apologize for the delay in posting our new website. We are currently contracted with a company to revamp the page to make it more user friendly. This process has taken longer then expected and we apologize. In the meantime you can visit the INASLA live blog link to find up to date information on upcoming events, landscape architects in the news, and other chapter information. If you ever have questions, or need additional information please feel free to contact the executive committee at our chapter e-mail address: indiana.asla@gmail.com

INASLA is on Facebook

2008-09-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

INASLA now has a group on Facebook.com. If you are already a member of Facebook, please add the Indiana Chapter of ASLA group to your listing. We hope that this application will become another means of communication amongst our chapter. Feel free to start a discussion thread and share your thoughts with the chapter!
www.facebook.com

Indiana LA's in the news...

2008-09-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Craig Flandermeyer, ASLA and Schmidt Associates on the article "A Tale of Two Parks" in the current issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine. The article written by Adam Arvidson analyzes West Park and Central Park, both located in Carmel, Indiana. The article poses the question: "Who can design a better park: your local landscape architect or an out-of-town consultant with twice the budget?"

The article does a great job of providing an apples to apples comparison between two well designed parks. For those that haven't had the change to read the complete article, you can find it online at: http://www.asla.org/lamag/feature2.html.

KIBI: Monumental Affair Awards Call for Entries

2008-09-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

The Call for Entries notice for the 2008 Monumental Awards has been sent to all Central Indiana INASLA members. A program of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., the awards honor and encourage those who have contributed to the quality of life through the enhancement and beautification of Marion County’s visual and physical environment. They recognize significant achievements in landscape architecture as well as other design and construction fields. The Monumental Affair Awards are a wonderful way not only to recognize outstanding works of landscape architecture, but for landscape architects to promote themselves and their work amongst their colleagues in the other design professions.

Entry instructions and forms are only available online at www.kibi.org/monumental/
Deadline for entry submittal is September 26 at 5:00pm

Landscape architecture entries must have been completed within the past five years (after July 2008). All other entry categories require completion within the past three years. The awards ceremony will be held on November 13, 2008 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.

Any questions about the Monumental Affair Awards may be directed to
David Gorden at 317-849-3120 or dgorden@holemanlandscape.com

Updated Continuing Education Event: Rehbein Environmental Solutions

2008-09-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

A fantastic continuing education opportunity has just recently come to our attention. Rehbein Environmental Solutions, a leading design and engineering firm specializing in innovative, sustainable approaches to green site stormwater, will be conducting a workshop at Rundell Ernstberger Associates’ Indianapolis office, 429 E. Vermont Street, on Wednesday, September 10, at 3:00.

The session will explore the integration of ‘Rehbein’ techniques in landscape architectural site designs - applying holistic storm water management, water harvesting, water reuse system, passive capillary irrigation, ‘green’ soil erosion and slope controls, native/low-water landscapes, LEED ‘site’ credits and accreditation, and urban heat island mitigation.

A California firm, Rehbein will be in Indiana September 8-10 conducting workshops at Ball State University as the featured component of the Landscape Architecture Department’s “Design Week” activities.

Please contact the REA Indianapolis office at 317.263.0127 to RSVP.

Citizen of the Wabash & National River Hero Awards

2008-08-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

Bernie Dahl, FASLA, Associate Professor and Past Chair of the Landscape Architecture Program, Pudue University's College of Agriculture, and a current director and past president of the Banks of the Wabash, Inc., was the recipient of the 2008 Citizen of the Wabash award presented by the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission and one of five national winners honored at the 2008 National River Rally held in Huron, Ohio.

To read the entire article click here:
http://www.rivernetwork.org/files/news/2008nationalriverheroes.pdf

ASLA NLAM Video

2008-08-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

If you missed the National Landscape Architecture Month video produced by ASLA that discusses the advantages of using a licensed Landscape Architect, check it out here! It features our very own "Green Dean" Hill speaking specifically to homeowners on how to find a Landscape Architect, what a Landscape Architect does and how we could help improve the value and aesthetic quality of their property.

Also visit http://www.GreenDeanTv.com for more videos with Dean!

Collaborative Leadership Workshop

2008-08-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

On behalf of the Indiana Chapter of ASLA, I would like to extend an invitation for you to join in a collaborative leadership workshop which will be held in conjunction with the INASLA Annual Meeting and awards ceremony. The executive committee of INASLA, APA: Indiana Chapter and the Institute of Transportation Engineers is excited to bring Bill and Joann Truby to Indiana for a afternoon long training session centered around building leaders in the workplace. His session titled "Fearless Leadership: How to be a leader with confidence and always know exactly what to do!" will teach the skills needed to become a successful leader. Bill Truby has been teaching practical leadership skills to professionals for the past 30 years. But he doesn’t teach just theory. He teaches a leader/manager how to think and what to do. INASLA and the event partners view this as an incredible opportunity for allied design professionals to assemble at one event and help foster collaborative leadership among our varied professions. We hope you will be able to attend!

The workshop will be held at the INDOT Traffic Management Center at :

8620 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN

The workshop will be held Thursday October 23, 2008 from 12-5.

The cost is $35 before October 1, and $45 after October 1.

Contact caclark@hntb.com for more information.

INASLA announces Bill Truby as keynote speaker!

2008-08-08T09:27:00.000-07:00

INASLA is proud to have Bill Truby join us as our keynote speaker! Bill Truby, M.A. MFCC, is a psychology-trained consultant, speaker, author and educator whose focus is on improving the quality of human fulfillment and performance in organizations. His clients include architectural, engineering and related design profession firms; manufacturing companies, dental and medical offices, hospitals, wineries, insurance companies, schools, churches, health clubs, and various product, service and sales organizations. Bill’s work includes consulting for goal setting, team building, strategic planning, management transition; and training in leadership, communications, sales, delegation, motivation, and other organizational skills. He has developed a 5-Step process that ensures success in any organization. He has also developed a three day Personal Growth Intensive that is truly life-changing.Truby is a popular speaker and workshop leader for the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Professional Services Management Association, the American Society of Association Executives, the Society of Architectural Administrators, California Association of Hospital Admission Managers, and the American Institute of Architects. He has worked extensively throughout the United States as well as Australia, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong. Bill has a Master’s Degree in Psychology and has been teaching personal, interpersonal and organizational success strategies for the past 30 years.

HOW NATURAL LAWS MAKE OR BREAK YOU: How working with five natural laws gives you personal power AND a thriving business! Ever wonder why growing a business or making a profit can be so difficult? Ever wonder why so many leaders are insecure, fearful or just lack confidence? Keynote speaker, Bill Truby, will reveal five natural laws called the Laws of Achievement that govern the quests for personal power and a thriving business. He’ll show you how to work with those laws to gain effortless success.

You see…whether you know them or not, understand them or not, acknowledge them or not – these natural laws are at work every day of your life; every day of your career. They are just as pervasive and just as powerful as the law of gravity and all the other laws of nature. Speaker, Bill Truby, will tell you what these laws are and how he uses them to help companies all over the nation find astounding success.

Annual Meeting Planning Underway

2008-08-08T09:25:00.001-07:00

Plan on joining us for the 2008 INASLA Annual Meeting and Design Awards Luncheon on Friday, October 24, 2008. The event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. Sessions are still being finalized but we will be offering sessions in business/ practice, sustainable design and technology. Look for the upcoming information here and in upcoming issue of News and Notes to learn more about breakout session topics and speakers.

Continuing education credits are now required for all licensed landscape architects in the state of Indiana. By attending the annual meeting’s educational sessions and presentations, professionals can earn up to 6 hours of continuing education credit. This accounts for nearly half of your required credits! Credits are available in one hour increments and sessions will be available throughout the day.