Section Reports
Mai ne
Maine landscape architects are represented by the
Maine Section of BSLA (MSLA). MSLA holds regular
meetings from September to May for members and
other interested for the purpose of sharing information
and planning events. Meetings typically include
association news, educational presentations and a
brief social networking opportunity. The educational
presentations usually count toward continuing education
credit for landscape architects and other allied professional, such as architects and civil engineers. Recent
MSLA educational presentations included a review
of the current SITES status, which followed previous
annual status updates, and a planting specification
presentation. The specification presentation concluded
a multi-year collaborative effort between MSLA and
the Maine Landscape and Nursery Association to create
a complete set of planting specifications that are
appropriate for the environs of Maine. Recognition of
newly elected Fellows who are MSLA members and
support of and contribution to Architalx’s 25th anniversary rounds out recent events.
For more information about MSLA and upcoming
events please visit www.maineasla.org.
West ern Ma ssa chu sett s
The Western Massachusetts Section, WMass, of BSLA is led
by Mark Lindhult, FASLA with help from Harry Dodson,
FASLA, and Rob Akroyd, ASLA. The main event this past
year was participation in Park(ing) Day in downtown
Springfield, MA on September 21. Two weeks before the
official day, the Section held a design charrette at the UMass
Design Center in Springfield where the major concept of
edible landscapes was proposed and a suitable parking
spot scouted out. The big idea for Park(ing) Day was to
illustrate the value of green space in urban environments.
The Springfield Press responded with positive press coverage.
We wish to recognize Landscape Forms for providing seating
for the project, Hadley Garden Center for supplying the
many apple trees, and Bug Hill Farms for providing a large
assortment of blueberry and cranberry plants. We also
thank the City of Springfield for providing water and a pear
tree for us to plant next to the parking space as a permanent
reminder of our presence there.
This September, the WMass Section will be participating
in Park(ing) Day once again; the Fall meeting will be suspended so members can enjoy the ASLA Annual Meeting
in Boston. A survey for our Section members will be sent out
soon, and used to help organize other events such as a
CEU workshop and special speaker events. The new ASLA
President, Mark Focht will be speaking at UMass on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at a WMass sponsored reception.
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