ASLA Minnesota is in the process of creating a fantastic new website to showcase all of the great work happening within our profession as well as to share all the hubbub and excitement that needs to be on your radar.
Thanks for your patience as we get everything up and running! If you have any wonderful ideas for how to make things better or if you just have some great photography that we might use to bring the Landscape Architecture profession alive please pass them our way.
Current Happenings
COVID-19 Update
Dear Colleagues,
On the cusp of spring, and even just within the last few days, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected most of us in some significant way. With the Governor’s recent orders, both our personal and professional lives need to adjust, and ASLA-MN must respond accordingly with respect to the social and educational events that we look forward to typically at this time of year. On behalf of the Executive Committee, I appreciate your understanding about these difficult decisions and hope that you and your families remain in good health throughout the current circumstances.
Bowling Brawl Postponement
With regret last Friday, March 13th, we weighed both official guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and US Center for Disease Control and decided to cancel the Bowling Brawl planned for that evening. During the course of the day, we received communication from a significant number of registered attendees that their teams wouldn’t be participating out of concern for both their own health and that of others. Thanks to those of you that provided input and thank you to the event sponsors for your ongoing support. The venue was very accommodating, and the Executive Committee will be considering the potential to reschedule this event for a future date later this year.
Virtual Educational Symposium and Spring Awards Gala Cancellation
Two other significant events were planned for next month – the annual Educational Symposium and Spring Awards Gala. In recent past, these events have been highly anticipated and well-attended by members – the latter being the venue to learn about and celebrate the most exemplary work that Minnesota landscape architects are producing. This year, we were planning them as two separate events – the Symposium on April 15th and the Gala on April 24th. Unfortunately, in keeping with current official guidance to avoid large group gatherings and practice social distancing, ASLA-MN is cancelling both of these in-person events.
The Educational Symposium planning has been led by Joe Favour, ASLA-MN Director of Education. He and supporting volunteers were planning a day-long event, as in year’s past, that covered different aspects of professional and academic practice and could be utilized for continuing education credits. ASLA MN is investigating options for virtual education sessions for those needing to renew professional licensure in 2020 in Minnesota, which is due this June. We also suggest that you pursue other on-line learning opportunities offered by national ASLA (see links below) or other sources. We will keep you updated about virtual sessions as we learn more.
ASLA on-line learning opportunities:
https://my.asla.org/My-ASLA/Store/StoreLayouts/Shop-LATIS.aspx
The Awards Gala planning has been led by Luke Nichols and Sandy Meulners, ASLA-MN Co-Directors of Awards and Banquets. Due to the significant logistics to plan the event, the Awards Gala will not be rescheduled this year. We will reconvene next spring 2021. Nevertheless, we received a record number of awards submittals this year, and they are in the process of being judged by the South Carolina Chapter. In light of the limitations this year, the Executive Committee will be developing a new approach to recognize and publicize award winners. We ask for your patience and understanding as we consider how best to deliver on our mandate to promote the profession and all of your hard work.
Next Steps
As we consider the path ahead for ASLA-MN, I was inclined to revisit ASLA’s mission:
Landscape architects lead the planning, design, and stewardship of healthy, equitable, safe, and resilient environments. The Society’s mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship.
It is uncertain how long current public health orders will be in place, but undoubtedly, there will be long-lasting effects on our society, economy, and potentially landscape architecture practice. In the near term, the principle of fellowship may be more challenging to achieve, but let’s be creative and keep the lines of communication open to continue growing our network and support system.
Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any comments or concerns and stay attuned to ASLA-MN’s social media platforms.
Michael Jischke
ASLA-MN Chapter President
mjischke@srfconsulting.com
Photo by Jason Barone on Unsplash
Awards Gala and Education Symposium Updates
This year, we were planning two separate events – the Symposium on April 15th and the Gala on April 24th. Unfortunately, in keeping with current official guidance to avoid large group gatherings and practice social distancing, ASLA-MN is cancelling both of these in-person events.
ASLA MN
Programming Survey
As a member of our local landscape architecture community, you have a voice in how ASLA-MN can build your network, nurture your professional development, facilitate relevant and meaningful programming, and advocate for our field.
Your voice is critical to creating an organization that is adaptive and inclusive and we encourage you to share your ideas by participating in this survey. The survey consists of 18 questions and will take between 5-10 minutes.
Please pass this along to your colleagues and fellow landscape architecture community members.