2014 OALA Awards

This award recognizes an OALA member and his or her professional work. It singles out specific projects to draw attention to a body of work which demonstrates outstanding professional accomplishment.

Lawrence Stasiuk

Lawrence has served the OALA for more than 12 years on several committees including Council, Executive, and most recently on the Marketing Committee as chair. Those who work with Lawrence know him as a starter and a finisher— exploring every aspect of every task in the finest detail and with no reservation of effort.

While executing his numerous volunteer hours, Lawrence has been a practising landscape architect in Ontario and British Columbia for 30 years in both the private and public sectors. He currently works for the City of Hamilton in the Landscape Architectural Services section with an emphasis on planning and development of parks, sports fields, trails, waterfronts, and streetscapes.

The OALA Pinnacle Award for Landscape Architectural Excellence acknowledges excellence in works by an OALA member and their exemplary overall body of professional work and accomplishments.

Singling out specific projects to draw attention to a body of work which demonstrates outstanding professional accomplishment, this award promotes awareness of the recipient’s landscape architectural works and achievements among landscape architects, allied professionals, potential clients and the public.

Inna Olchovski

lnna has served as an Associate Representative on the OALA Council for the past two years. She has developed programs to help Associates attain full membership. Along with monthly meetings, library hours, and the Associate newsletter, Inna brought forward and organized the OALA walk series, bringing together members in the GTA and other regions.
Inna has also established an open house series for firms to engage with Associate members and students. lnna has been a huge asset to the Associate membership and a true leader. A cheque for $500 accompanies this award, to offset the cost of a LARE exam.

The Honorary category of membership is for non-landscape architects who have performed notable service in advancing the course of landscape architecture in the Province of Ontario for whom Council wishes to recognize for outstanding contributions in their own fields to improving the quality of natural and human environments.

George McKibbon

George McKibbon is a land-use planner who has worked on numerous projects with landscape architects as either a lead researcher or co-author of many award winning reports and studies. He was a senior planner at the Niagara Escarpment Commission from 1978 to1987 and authored Part Two, Development Criteria of the Niagara Escarpment Plan. Since 1996, George has operated McKibbon Wakefield Inc.

As an advisor on provincial policy and a strong ally of landscape architects, the influence George has had on the province, on our members, and on the environment is enormous.

Emeritus members are full members of OALA who have ceased full time practice and who are nominated by another full member in recognition of their years of service to the profession.

Ed Fife

Edward (Ed) Fife has educated hundreds of students in his 46-plus years of teaching in the United States, Canada, China, and South Africa. A well-known professor at the University of Toronto since 1969, he has written numerous papers, been involved with the OALA, CSLA, CELA, IFLA, and was very active in various capacities in the OALA on the Education Committee, Planning Committee, Executive Council, and as President, Past President, and Treasurer.

Ed’s extensive knowledge of planting design, plant communities, and natural systems has motivated and mentored many students. Now in the next phase of his career, Ed is teaching occasionally in China, spending time travelling, going to the farm, and exploring the world.

The OALA Research & Innovation Award recognizes the outstanding leadership, research and/or academic achievements of a member(s), or non-member(s), who, through scholarly activities and/or the development of innovative practices, inclusive of academic papers, research, publications, books, e-applications or public presentations, which contribute to the knowledge base that furthers the advancement of the art, science and practice of landscape architecture.

Alissa North

In addition to her duties at the University of Toronto, where she is a professor, Alissa is partner in North Design Office. Much of the office’s work is found in competitions and installations where Alissa is constantly testing new ideas. Her newly published book, Operative Landscapes: Building Communities Through Public Space, is a great reference documenting recent new design typologies that have entered the profession.

David Erb was an outstanding volunteer in furthering the goals of OALA. The David Erb Memorial Award is a prestigious way to acknowledge an OALA member whose outstanding volunteerism over the years, has contributed to furthering the goals and strategic plans of the OALA as well as, making a real difference to the OALA and its members.

Sean Kelly

Sean joined the OALA in 1997 and, while building Stempski Kelly Associates with his wife, Stasia, he became active in OALA activities and events. Sean’s involvement with the OALA has grown over the years, and has taken a definite course in supporting, guiding, and encouraging prospective landscape architects. His efforts have been a natural extension of his work as an educator at the University of Guelph, where he has become a mentor for many students. Sean’s contributions have made OALA stronger and have significantly influenced the next generation of OALA members.

The OALA Public Practice Award recognizes the outstanding leadership of a member of the profession in public practice who promotes and enhances landscape architecture by working for improved understanding and appreciation of the work of landscape architects in both public and private practice.

Andrew Macpherson

Andrew Macpherson started working for the City of London in 1991, as part of the Site Plan Approvals Section. During the intervening years, he moved up through the corporation to his current position as Manager of the Environmental and Park Planning and Design Division.

Andrew’s greatest legacy is the expanded Thames Valley Pathway system, which is part of and connects to a 225-kilometre citywide pathway system. Andrew was instrumental in ensuring the inclusion of landscape architects as team members for all city facility capital projects in London. As well, he led the process to improve and streamline the City’s street tree planting program. He led the process to update the City’s Significant Woodland protection policies, and the development of new comprehensive standards for the creation of trails in natural areas.

The Carl Borgstrom Award for Service to the Environment recognizes an OALA member or landscape architectural group, organization, or agency recognized by OALA whose practice promotes special or unique contributions to sensitive, sustainable design and use of the environment.

Norman DeFraeye

In his position as the City of Toronto’s Supervisor of Ravine and Natural Feature Protection, Norman leads a team with the challenging responsibility for managing Toronto’s 18,000 acres of ravines. He was a key contributor to the development of a number of leading-edge initiatives for Toronto: the Ravine and Natural Feature Protection Bylaw, which protects and promotes stewardship of ravines and natural areas; a city-wide study of approximately 100 Environmentally Significant Areas; and guidelines for implementation of Natural Heritage Impact Studies, which guide restoration and enhancement of abutting natural areas through new development applications. Norman has been instrumental in developing restoration plans for numerous ravines.