ASLA Offers Free Webinars

Rebroadcast: The Economics of Parks: Creating and Sustaining Successful Public Realm - 1.0 PDH (LA CES/HSW)

This webinar is free for all ASLA members.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

2:00–3:00 pm ET
 Join us on April 1 to learn why the economics of parks is ever more important—educating clients on the costs of creating public realm; developing funding strategies to build; balancing revenue generation with creating respite; planning for governance, operations, and maintenance to preserve investments for future generations; and valuing design.

Rebroadcast: Breaking Free from Tropical Hardwoods: New Alternatives for Sustainability - 1.5 PDH (LA CES/HSW)

This webinar is free for all ASLA members.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

2:00–3:30 pm ET
 Join us on April 15 as we discuss how the dependency on tropical hardwoods is unsustainable given current rates of use, ecosystem degradation, and slow renewal rates. Fortunately, there are new alternatives that are durable, beautiful, and renewable. In this rebroadcast, you will learn how to use and work with thermally modified, acetylated, and polymerized woods, fused bamboo lumber, and black locust.

Rebroadcast: Drawing Matters: Exploring the Value of Drawing in Landscape Architecture - 1.5 PDH (LA CES/non-HSW)

This webinar is free for all ASLA members.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

2:00–3:30 pm ET
 Join us on April 29 as we discuss why drawing still matters. Rather than the familiar debate over digital versus hand graphics, this session explores the value of drawing as a process connected to seeing, thinking, and engaging throughout design.

Great American Outdoors Act

Government Affairs- Great American Outdoors Act

Last week the Senate introduced the Great American Outdoors Act which would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and would provide much-needed funding for the National Park Service and other public lands agencies to tackle their deferred maintenance backlogs.

Help tell Congress to fully and permanently fund LWCF and address priority repairs in our national parks and on other public lands! Your voice is critical to ensuring that LWCF will continue to expand outdoor recreation access and that deteriorating infrastructure on our public lands will be restored.

You can view the text of the letter and sign it by clicking through to the second page of this Google Form.

For more information, contact Caleb Abbott at cabbott@outdoorsamerica.org or Rebecca Knuffke at rknuffke@pewtrusts.org.

Scholarship Deadlines Approaching Fast!

Scholarship Deadlines Approaching Fast!

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Worldstudio Scholarships (April 15).
Since its inception in 1995, more than one million dollars has been awarded to 700+ college students of art and design. Apply now!
We encourage students to apply (and spread the word)!
Learn more on the ASLA Scholarships and Fellowships web page.

Celebrate WLAM With a Sketch

Sketch Your Favorite NC Project

Are you looking for a creative outlet while at home? Then grab a square of toilet paper and get sketching!

NCASLA was inspired by VAE Raleigh’s Toilet Paper Art Benefit Auction, which encouraged artists to create a piece of art on a single square of toilet paper. Some of our Triangle Area members participated and enjoyed it so much that we wanted to keep the creativity flowing throughout April.

In celebration of World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM), we want to see your toilet paper sketches! You can join in the fun by following these simple steps:

• Grab a square of toilet paper

• Sketch your favorite North Carolina project or scene

• Post it on your social channels with the hashtags #ncaslasketchasquare, #aslasketchasquare and #sketchasquare

While North Carolinians are self-quarantining, many find comfort and relief in their local parks. During this year’s WLAM, let’s sketch our favorite spots and encourage people to safely get outside and explore!

We’re excited to see your sketches and learn about the NC spots you love. 

2020-21 Nominations Are Now Open

NOMINATIONS OPEN- APPLY TODAY

Have you considered throwing your hat into the ring for an NCASLA Executive Committee position? We need your unique ideas and one-of-a-kind perspective! 

 If you feel that you can, or know someone who might want to, the call for nominations starts April 1, 2020, and closes April 30, 2020. To be considered, complete the CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FORM by the due date listed.

The current positions are open for this election period and will be on the ballot later this summer: 

President Elect
1-year term
This position leads the conference planning committee and is automatically followed by a one-year term as President and a one-year term as Past President. The President Elect, President, and Past President also attend the national conference and national leadership training workshops known as Chapter Presidents Council. The President-Elect shall be a Full Member.

Treasurer
2-year term
This position shall be responsible for the collection all fees, dues, charges, and other funds  due the Chapter; be the  custodian of all Chapter funds  and disburse such funds  only  as authorized by the  Executive Committee; keep  the  accounts of the  Chapter that  shall be open at all times to inspection by the  Executive Committee; present quarterly reports on the financial condition of the Chapter and  year-end financial statements to the Executive Committee; and perform such other duties as are customary for the  office  of chapter treasurer or as may  be assigned or delegated by the president. The Treasurer shall be a Full or Associate Member.

Trustee
3-year term
The trustee  shall:  be informed  on Chapter and Society goals and objectives, policies and procedures, programs and services, and activities  and events; serve as an officer on the Executive Committee  of the Chapter and serve as the Chapter representative on the Board of Trustees of the Society; facilitate the conduct of the business of the Society by bringing the Chapter perspective to the Board of Trustees and the national perspective  to the Executive Committee  and members of the Chapter; facilitate the conduct of the business of the Board of Trustees by serving on standing councils or committees, special study groups or task forces, or as a representative or delegate of the Society; and perform such other duties as are customary  for the office of chapter trustee  or as may be assigned or delegated by the Board of Trustees of the Society and the Executive Committee of the Chapter. The Trustee shall be a Full Member.

Member At Large – Awards
2-year term
The Member-at-Large for  Awards  shall: coordinate the Chapter professional, special,  and student awards program.

Member At Large – Communications
2-year term
The Member-at-Large for Communications shall: oversee the communications of the Chapter, including social media; work with the Association Manager and the President to generate content for the E-News and other means of correspondence with the membership; manage the Archives and History Committee and organize community assistance teams as needed.

Associate Member At Large
2-year term
The Associate Member-at-Large shall represent the associate membership of the Chapter and be responsible for Chapter continuing education programs and updating the Chapter Operations Handbook.

Charlotte Section Chair
2-year term
This position coordinates educational and social events in the Charlotte region of the NC Chapter, and he/she makes sure NC and national correspondence is reaching the members in that region. The Section Chair shall be a Full or Associate Member.

Triad Section Chair
2-year term
This position coordinates educational and social events in the Triad region of the NC Chapter, and he/she makes sure NC and national correspondence is reaching the members in that region. The Section Chair shall be a Full or Associate Member.

Triangle Section Chair
2-year term
This position coordinates educational and social events in the Triangle region of the NC Chapter, and he/she makes sure NC and national correspondence is reaching the members in that region. The Section Chair shall be a Full or Associate Member.

Questions? Email manager@ncasla.org

Remembering Richard C. “Dick” Bell, FASLA , FAAR (1928-2020)

Remembering Richard C. “Dick” Bell, FASLA , FAAR (1928-2020)

Written by Chuck Flink, FASLA

Richard Chevalier “Dick” Bell passed away on March 16, 2020 at the home of his beloved daughter Sharon Bell Glazener. Dick was 91 years old. He is widely regarded as one of the fathers of landscape architecture in North Carolina. Born in Manteo, Dick graduated from North Carolina State University’s School of Design in 1950; the first class of graduating students under the legendary Henry Kamphoefner. In 1951, Dick was awarded the Prix de Rome, the youngest recipient of the Prize at that time. He served a brief apprenticeship with Simons and Simons Landscape Architects in Pittsburgh, PA. After his apprenticeship, he spent two years traveling Europe, and later became a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome.

In 1954, Dick became a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. In 1955, he co-founded the firm Godwin and Bell Landscape Architects in partnership with James B. Godwin. Many years later Dick team with his son-in-law Dennis Glazener to form Bell Glazener Design. Dick’s work left an enduring legacy of successful public and private landscapes, including Raleigh’s famed Pullen Park, the amphitheater at Meredith College, the Brickyard at NC State University and the North Carolina Legislative Building grounds. One of Dick’s masterpiece landscapes, the Water Garden, where he lived and worked for many years, was lost to development many years ago. Through his practice, Dick helped introduce modernism in landscape architecture across the southeastern United States. He also nurtured, educated and cultivated a new generation of landscape architects.

Dick Bell completed more than 2,000 works of landscape architecture, and was the recipient of awards from 27 national organizations. He became a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1980, was the first recipient of the North Carolina Chapter of ASLA Distinguished Professional Achievement Award, and was a 2008 inductee in the Raleigh Hall of Fame. Dick was awarded the prestigious ASLA Medal in 2014, the highest professional award bestowed by the Society.

Dick was a brilliant designer, taskmaster, skilled artist, teacher, pioneer and successful businessman. He possessed tremendous vision, was hard charging, dedicated to the needs of his clients, and a mentor to many who practice the profession today. Dick’s edict was “to leave a little beauty behind wherever I go”. Dick did so much more than that. He shaped the profession of landscape architecture and leaves behind a legacy of work that includes landscapes that are enjoyed by tens of thousands each and every day. He will be missed, but we are eternally grateful for his personal and professional contributions. Rest in Peace.

Call for Presentations- NC Conference on Landscape Architecture

The call for presentations is now open for the 2020 NC Conference on Landscape Architecture

The conference committee will review and select proposals based on the continuing education approval criteria outlined by associated Boards of Landscape Architectural Examiners.

Panel discussions, case studies, lectures, tours, and other alternative presentation formats are highly encouraged.

First, view the Call for Proposals Information Packet
Then, use this link to submit: http://bit.ly/2020NCASLApresentations

The deadline for submitting session proposals is Friday, March 6, 2020. 

For questions, please contact info@ncasla.org

Submit your ideas!

Deadline is Friday, March 6, 2020

Call for Entries: 2020 Professional and Student Awards

Submissions are now being accepted for the 2020 NCASLA Professional and Student Awards.

Award submissions are open all ASLA Members and nonmembers, Associates, and Fellows in the state of North Carolina. This includes Faculty members, and Students currently teaching or enrolled in North Carolina landscape architecture programs. Entries are accepted from private practice, public agencies, non-profit, local, state and federal government entities. Entries from other professions are accepted pending pre-approval by the Awards Chair.

Other than projects submitted for the Landmark Award category, all projects completed after January 1, 2013, are eligible.

A project may be resubmitted until it wins an award at the Southeast Regional level. The awards will be juried by an out-of-state ASLA Chapter.

Awards will be given for General Design, Residential Design, Landmark, Analysis and Planning, Communications, Research, and Student Collaboration, and Student Community Service Award.

The deadline for awards submissions is March 9, 2020. First, access the fillable awards packet for necessary guidelines and paperwork. Then, all submittals shall be in PDF format and submitted through the site: http://bit.ly/ncasla2020awards . 

Online entry form, entry fee (Visa/MasterCard) and submission must be received no later than March 9, 2020 at 5:00pm. All entry fees must include the appropriate entry fee, at time of submission or the entry will not be considered for judging.

For questions, please contact info@ncasla.org

NCASLA Election Results Announced

The North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (NCASLA) is pleased to announce the results of the recent election.

Elected to the one-year term of President Elect is Courtney Landoll, PLA, LEED AP.  Sadie Walters, ASLA, was elected to a two-year term as Secretary.  The Member At Large- Legislative Affairs position, a two-year term, will be held by Elizabeth Frere, MUD, PLA, ASLA.   Two section chairs were also elected: Coastal- Howard T. Capps, RLA, ASLA, and Mountain- Joshua Karrick, PLA, ASLA, AICP.   Crystal Ross, ASLA, was appointed to fill the remaining year of the two-year term as Treasurer. Incoming members of the Executive Committee shall assume office in November 2019, at the conclusion of the annual meeting of ASLA.

"We are thrilled to welcome our new members to the NCASLA Executive Committee!" says Lora Greco, 2018-19 NCASLA President. "These individuals will bring talent, expertise and energy to our group and will provide leadership to the organization as we continue to advance our mission. Thank you to all of our Executive Committee members for your commitment and service to NCASLA."

NCASLA Works to Protect the Industry

During the 2019 Long Session of the North Carolinas General Assembly, NCASLA partnered with other associations of design professionals, including engineers, architects and surveyors, to introduce and advocate for House Bill 871 – Fair Contracts. An identical Senate bill, Senate Bill 569, was also filed.

The goal of the legislation was to prohibit any contract requiring landscape architects, engineers, architects or surveyors to indemnify, hold harmless or defend the other party to the contract against liability or claims for damages, losses or expenses, including attorneys' fees, for actions by the other party. Landscape architect liability insurance generally does not cover clauses like this and as a result, contracts that require landscape architects to cover these losses pose tremendous risk for the landscape architect.

The House first passed the bill on May 2nd and the Senate ultimately passed the bill on June 26th. Because the two versions of the bill varied slightly, the House was required to vote on the bill again on June 27th. Governor Roy Cooper then signed House Bill 871 into law on June 8th, making it the 92nd bill to become law in North Carolina in 2019. As a result, after the Oct. 1 effective date landscape architects can no longer be required to indemnify or hold harmless the other party in contracts for landscape architecture services for damages not caused by the landscape architect.

We would like to thank the other professional groups for their work on the bill and particularly the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina for raising the issue that design professionals were legally vulnerable in this way. We also appreciate and commend the work of the bill's sponsors: Rep. Dean Arp (R – Union), Rep. Sarah Stevens (R – Wilkes), Rep. Robert Reives (D – Chatham) and Rep. Elmer Floyd (D – Cumberland). This legislation is a great example of the great work that NCASLA does at the North Carolina General Assembly each year, the importance of advocacy and the value of partnering with similarly situated professional groups to achieve mutual goals.

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