Nature-based solutions can be more cost-effective and lower-emission than traditional infrastructure, but they remain underfunded. ASLA and the Landscape Architecture Foundation convened leaders to strengthen the economic case. Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT: https://bit.ly/3NHli7H

ASLA names Keenan Gibbons, ASLA, PLA as Climate & Biodiversity Action Fellow. “Keenan is a leader in applying new technologies to understand localized heat impacts and the nature-based solutions communities need to become cooler.” Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dTDtRW

As seas rise, coastal communities need infrastructure that does more than defend against flooding. New research finds nature-based coastal infrastructure can emit up to 91% less greenhouse gas emissions and cost up to 30% less than grey solutions. More in ASLA’s THE DIRT: https://bit.ly/487EwtO

In Pontevedra, Spain, a shift to “natural mobility” helped cut emissions by 60%. By prioritizing walking and biking, the city transformed from car-dominated to people-first—improving health, safety, and daily life. Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT: https://bit.ly/4sVZgwG

In Norfolk, Connecticut, a shuttered 1960s-era coal power plant and brownfield will be transformed into a 125-acre park and educational hub that protects and enhances biodiversity and reuses defunct energy facilities. Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT: https://bit.ly/40Gcpho

Ten Eyck Landscape Architects has won the 2026 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Landscape Architecture. "Our goal is to design tough but beautiful projects that connect people to nature,” said Christine Ten Eyck, FASLA. Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT: https://bit.ly/3OV2mCv

LA County communities impacted by the Eaton & Hughes Fires need $250M to restore parks. Charles White County Park is moving forward with $10.5M in funding. SALT Landscape Architects and LA County Parks are leading the redesign. More in ASLA's THE DIRT. https://bit.ly/4aHrtQl

Applications are open for the ASLA Climate & Biodiversity Action Fellowship (2026–27). The selected Fellow will advance climate and biodiversity action and represent ASLA at a UN Climate or Biodiversity COP. Apply by February 16: https://bit.ly/3NtW5wR

Call for Applications: ASLA Climate & Biodiversity Action Fellowship (2026-27) This one-year fellowship supports a landscape architect, designer, or educator advancing climate & biodiversity action through leadership and advocacy. Apply by February 16: https://bit.ly/3NtW5wR

U.S. cities are taking cars off significant streets. In San Francisco, a stretch of highway will become a coastal park. In Houston, landscape architecture firm Design Workshop is creating a pedestrian-only promenade. https://bit.ly/4qtNbOy

Before looking ahead to how landscape architecture, climate, and biodiversity will intersect in 2026, ASLA's THE DIRT also looks back to learn what was of greatest interest to readers over the past year. https://bit.ly/4bvoQDd

At Babcock Ranch, landscape architecture functions as economic infrastructure. It informed planning decisions that reduced cost and accelerated value creation. Register for ASLA's webinar How Developers Value Landscape Architecture Jan 13 | 2 p.m. ET https://bit.ly/498Msfz

New York City is investing $68M to transform Prospect Park into Brooklyn’s first Bluebelt system using nature-based solutions like ponds and rain gardens to reduce flooding and manage stormwater. Read more climate & biodiversity news in ASLA's THE DIRT. https://bit.ly/44vXYPj

ASLA has launched a new working group to develop an industry-wide guide for measuring site carbon emissions and sequestration. “This work is the critical next step in developing a Landscape Architecture 2040,” said Aida M. Curtis, FASLA. https://bit.ly/45c4GtY

THE DIRT’s 10 Best Books of 2025 explore landscape from new and fascinating angles, covering low-carbon materials, shade, traditional ecological knowledge, and more. See the full list: https://bit.ly/4aE4gQB

In the Nordvest neighborhood of Copenhagen, Denmark, a derelict lawn in a social housing estate built in the 1950s has been transformed into a climate park designed to manage vast amounts of water. Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT: https://bit.ly/44Prb7P

Want to study landscape architecture but need financial support? Apply for the ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarship: • 1 award of $10,000 • Up to 4 awards of $5,000 • Free ASLA Conference registration + travel stipend Deadline: Feb 1. Apply now. https://bit.ly/3Rl4S3v

Join our next ASLA Biodiversity & Climate Action 101 webinar: Cultivating Biodiverse Landscapes: Tools, Tips, and Mindset Shifts for Working with Living Ecosystems Dec 10 · 1 PM ET Free for ASLA members | 1.0 PDH Register: https://bit.ly/3MxLzUG

The federal government has reopened after a 43-day shutdown. The new measure guarantees back pay for furloughed employees and reverses layoffs that affected federal landscape architects. ASLA will continue to champion public practitioners and highlight their essential work.

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, landscape architects will show how design improves nature-based solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. ASLA's delegates will highlight the key role of landscape architecture strategies in increasing resilience for people and communities. #COP30noBrasil

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed rescinding the 2024 Conservation and Landscape Health Rule. If repealed, it would undo decades of progress in stewardship and resilience. Sign the letter opposing the proposed rescission. https://www.asla.org/advocate.aspx

“Landscape architects can play a critical role in building the insurance case for nature-based solutions,” said Talley Burley, of the Environmental Defense Fund, in a discussion moderated by ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen, Hon. ASLA. https://bit.ly/4qrAkN6

Brad McCauley, FASLA, PLA, is the 81st President of ASLA! Sworn in at the ASLA 2025 Conference on Landscape Architecture in New Orleans, he emphasized community, connection, and shared purpose: Empower our members to design a sustainable and equitable world through landscape architecture.

Congratulations to Mexican landscape architect Mario Schjetnan, FASLA, and Grupo de Diseño Urbano (GDU) for winning the 2025 Cornelia Hahn Oberlander International Landscape Architecture Prize. https://bit.ly/46U0fFC

ASLA & ASLA Fund have released a new plan to address the climate and biodiversity crises together. https://bit.ly/474JB4X

New Resource: Biodiversity Primer for Landscape Architects ASLA’s free guide helps landscape architects design for and protect biodiversity. 📘Download: https://bit.ly/3INYUqu

Remembering Kongjian Yu, FASLA—visionary founder of Turenscape and professor at Peking University. His “sponge city” strategies reshaped how cities work with water and nature, inspiring resilience and compassion worldwide. bit.ly/3Kch45R

After Hurricane Katrina, 95% of New Orleans' City Park was flooded for weeks, destroying thousands of trees. Two decades later, MVVA + partners have released City Park 2050, a new master plan that “attempts to look past recovery toward endurance.” https://bit.ly/3I17W3j

The Wallpaper 2025 Landscape Architects’ Directory highlights practices reshaping how land is lived, from flood-resistant parks in Bangkok to restorative gardens in Brazil. https://bit.ly/464gTSv

Join us at Climate Week NYC! Discover solutions to combat coastal flooding using green + hybrid infrastructure at a free immersive workshop hosted by ASLA NY and partners. 📍NYC | Sept 24 | 4-6 PM Register today: https://bit.ly/41Nj627

ASLA has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and is on track to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. “We are committed to continuing our efforts to reduce emissions,” says ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen, Hon. ASLA, CAE. https://bit.ly/4gfQ1lX

ASLA Announces the 2025 Professional Award Winners! Thirty-five projects have been honored with the highest achievement in landscape architecture, showcasing innovation, resilience, and design excellence. bit.ly/3USZXbj

How Property Insurers Value Nature-Based Solutions And How to Help Them Evolve Join us Sept 3 at 2 PM ET for the next webinar in our Making the Economic Case for Landscape Architecture series. Free for ASLA members | Earn 1.0 PDH Register: https://bit.ly/3UXktaz

“What other way can we adapt to climate change?” Landscape architect Kongjian Yu, FASLA, urges replacing traditional grey stormwater systems with a “sponge city” approach using land-based solutions to work with nature, not against it. https://bit.ly/3UDeQhF

One of D.C.'s most dangerous intersections is now a safe gateway and green public space. The new Mamie “Peanut” Johnson Plaza by SWA/Balsley transforms a busy traffic triangle into a 37,000 sq. ft. community hub. Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT.

Canada has a national climate adaptation strategy, but it’s largely up to its provinces and cities to move this work forward. Landscape architects in government are shaping bold climate + biodiversity policies the world can learn from. bit.ly/46nbre4

Infrastructure, policy, public engagement, and agriculture — see how Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) Innovation + Leadership Fellows are shaping positive futures. bit.ly/44zJ772

Got a game-changing idea for landscape architecture? Pitch it for a chance to take the stage at ASLA 2025 in New Orleans! ✅ Align with the ASLA Climate Action Plan ✅ 2-sentence pitch + short video 🗓️ Deadline: July 22 🌟 Submit: bit.ly/4gJe0tg Sponsored by Tournesol Siteworks

A plaza in downtown Denver was a “harsh" concrete plaza, explained Kasey Toomey, PLA, partner at Terremoto. “We decided to create a habitat, a green space for all these creatures” — not just people. bit.ly/4erMrEq

⏳ Last chance to save! Early bird rates for #ASLA2025 end today. Join thousands of professionals October 10–13 in New Orleans for the premier gathering of the landscape architecture community. Register now at aslaconference.com

The UN Ocean Conference marked a win for ocean ecosystems. Leaders made progress on a new international law that could protect 30% of the world’s high seas — areas beyond national borders. bit.ly/4nbDnaB

Proposed #LWCF cuts threaten the future of parks, public spaces, and local economies. “LWCF isn’t just about conservation. It’s about community, access, and economic opportunity.” —Kona Gray, FASLA, PLA, ASLA President Tell Congress: #SaveLWCF → bit.ly/3SXlrkK

Don’t miss the first webinar in ASLA’s new series: Making the Economic Case for Landscape Architecture. June 17 at 2 PM ET | 1.0 PDH HSW Register: bit.ly/3ZgtG0p

The Rosa Barba Casanovas International Landscape Architecture Prize honors the best built landscapes (2019–2024). Winner receives €15,000 (~$16,885 USD). Submit by May 30, 2025. Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT. bit.ly/3ZqtdIU

Landscape architecture firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc. (MVVA) is helping Glendale, CA reimagine the 9.4-mile Verdugo Wash as a linear park and trail system—restoring ecosystems and reconnecting communities. Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT. bit.ly/4jZSodL

Not all public spaces are parks. Some of the most impactful are the corridors in between. Join us May 14 at 1 PM ET for The Curation, Choreography, and Culture of Linear Landscapes. 1.25 PDH | Free for ASLA members Register: bit.ly/3ZaAD2R #InfrastructureWeek

“Real climate leadership listens first.” — ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen, Hon. ASLA Over 75% of landscape architects say we need a Climate and Biodiversity Commitment Program. Learn how this could turn insight into action. dirt.asla.org/2025/05/07/m...

ASLA is advocating for federal tax reforms that recognize the economic and environmental value of landscape architecture. Read the full recommendations in “Providing Tax Relief and Incentives for the Landscape Architecture Profession”: bit.ly/4cGxXQi

How do landscape architects measure climate & nature positive design? Join Climate Positive Design founder Pamela Conrad, ASLA, and Sarah Fitzgerald, ASLA, on May 5 at 1pm ET for a free demo of the new Pathfinder 3.0 app! Learn practical tools for climate action. Register: bit.ly/4juYNNj

"There are possible indications that the right trees in urban green spaces can act as buffer zones limiting the spread of fire," says landscape architect Ronnie Siegel, ASLA. Read more in ASLA's THE DIRT. bit.ly/3XM7NW2