I was recently presented with a Community Service Award from the Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architecture (actually it was months ago, but better late than never!). This award puts me up in the company of leading regional landscape architects like Carol Mayer-Reed who have received the same Community Service Award in past years. It’s a real honor!
ASLA is the professional organization for landscape architects and landscape architectural designers (like me). Landscape architecture is a really vast design field that includes designing public parks, urban waterfronts, city streetscapes, foodsheds, natural play areas, hiking trails and larger-scale natural areas (like floodplains, forests, wildlife corridors, etc).
I served on the board of this organization for two very busy years, while juggling my first years of motherhood. It was important to me to represent younger designers on this diverse board. I provided input on what types of speakers, educational sessions, design workshops and information we shared. My biggest role was managing ASLA communications with designers throughout our state.
It’s wonderful to share the news about this award because I’m not your average landscape architectural designer. I have a passion for planting design, nature play, urban agriculture and creating sustainable residential gardens. Each of those areas can at times be under-represented in this industry. An honor like this tells me that my perspective, opinions, aesthetics and working style was highly-valued by this professional organization.
We can each make a difference in the communities we serve by devoting our time and skills to causes we care about. I’m always on the board of at least one thing and spending volunteer times on several more. This is my little sign from the universe that it does make a difference and all of ours voices need to be heard.
