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SACRAMENTO – In an effort spearheaded by California Department of Transportation Landscape Architect, Lisa Worthington, April 2013 was officially recognized as National Landscape Architecture Month by the State of California. On April 17^th, the California State Legislature voted on and passed Resolution 714 “in honor of the legacy of Landscape Architects in shaping and protecting California landscapes” (read the full text of the resolution here). The Resolution was graciously sponsored by Assembly Speaker John A. Perez, who was steadfast in expediting the resolution to vote so that it could be passed during the month of April.

Lisa began the effort months prior, in December 2012, after finding inspiration in an editorial on Landscape Architecture’s Ascendance and her recent read of Justin Martin’s 2011 biography of Frederick Law Olmsted, Genius of Place. She found the editorial’s evaluation of the profession relevant to the state of both public and private practice and in the Olmsted biography she was reminded of our founder’s legacy in the State. She imagined, “wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were public recognition in California for the contributions of our profession?” She began about the task of drafting proclamation language and learning the process to have a resolution passed in the State legislature.  She consulted with the Sacramento headquarters of the Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG), a union that represents the professional interests of Engineers, Land Surveyors, Architects and Landscape Architects in state government, for guidance. Assembly Speaker John A. Perez was clearly an advocate for our work, a willing sponsor of the Resolution, and willing to call a vote.

The passage of Resolution 714 collectively honors over 3,000 landscape architects practicing in our State and brings public recognition to the life-enriching work we do. Lisa has been energized by this process and believes that visibility of landscape architecture’s civic role, connecting regional sustainability goals to “designed-in” layers of environmental benefits, such as stormwater infiltration, and multi-modal infrastructure for a “complete street” is the leading wave our profession could ride in the years to come. On behalf of the California Council of the ASLA, representing the four California Chapters, we thank Lisa for her service.

For more information on this story, please contact Dalton LaVoie

Continue reading »]]> ASLA California Sierra Chapter presents: An Evening at Raley Field!

RIVERCATS VS. ISOTOPES

Thursday August 1st, 6pm

Join us on the party decks behind first base at Raley Field on Thursday August 1 to watch the Sacramento Rivercats face off against the Albuquerque Isotopes!

Gates open at 6 PM and the game starts at 7:05. Tickets include a BBQ buffet dinner! Family friendly event -bring the kids!

$20 for members, $25 for non-members

RSVP to events@asla-sierra.org

Mail checks to 1400 S Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95811 or contact us if you’d like to pay by credit card.

Continue reading »]]> The Mack Road Streetscape Design Charrettee

The Mack Road Partnership requested California Sierra Chapter’s assistance with establishing a new direction for their future corridor improvements.  This Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) was formed in 2011, and has conducted a number of stakeholder and community input sessions prior to our charrettee. The purpose of our January 18^th session was to create quick design studies that focused on a variety of issues – lighting, intersections, signage, parking, gateways, and the Highway 99 interchange.  Approximately 20 ASLA members, designers, City employees, and public members investigated complete streets, green streets, and road diets during this spirited session at the AIA Central Valley gallery, in Sacramento.  The Partnership will use our work product, combined with the public input, to create a Draft Corridor Plan that they can use to secure future funding with.

SEE THE SIERRA CHAPTERS POST ON ASLA NATIONAL UNDER YEAR OF PUBLIC SERVICE 2013  http://www.asla.org/yps.aspx