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| Time | Activity | Location |
| 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Registration opens in lobby at Crowne Plaza | Crowne Plaza (5685 Falls Ave) |
| 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | L.A.R.E. Prep Session Join Donnie Longenecker, landscape architect, for a live presentation and discussion about how to combine your technical knowledge with an understanding of what the L.A.R.E. is asking for success on the exams. Presenter: Donnie Longenecker, landscape architect, Senior Lecturer, CE Coordinator and BLA Program Coordinator at the University of Georgia, College of Environment and Design | King George (5th floor) |
| 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Historic Oakes Garden Theatre and Rainbow Gardens Tour Dunnington Grubb is considered the founding father of landscape architecture in Canada. Very few examples from his early 20th Century Design exist in all of Canada. Oakes Garden Theatre and Rainbow Gardens, located at the foot of Clifton Hill and owned and maintained by the Niagara Parks Commission in Niagara Falls, are one of his rare surviving projects. They exist almost as they did when opened in 1938. If a ripple starts when something is tossed into a still pool, Dunnington Grubb should be considered the stone that cast a million ripples in landscape architecture in Canada. Join Paula Berketo, OALA, to explore and celebrate these two glorious landmarks of landscape architecture in Canada, and learn of the unique connection between the designer, and Thomas Baker McQueston, the politician who worked creatively to make it all happen. If you have registered for this tour, please check in between 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the lobby of the conference hotel. Volunteers will provide further direction upon your arrival. Presenter: Paula Berketo, Principal Landscape Architect, Ministry of Transportation | Depart from hotel lobby |
| 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. | Environmental Stewardship Tour This 3.5 hour tour is an in-depth look at the challenges and successes of caring for the environmental health of the Niagara River Corridor. Led by Niagara Parks’ experts, you will: • See four of our largest environmental restoration and rehabilitation projects. • Learn how shoreline, wetland, and grassland restoration initiatives have helped facilitate the return of Meadowlark and Bobolink birds to the Niagara Region. • Understand what it takes to turn a golf course into an environmentally ethical attraction for both golfers and species at risk. • Discover inventive and groundbreaking alternative measures to combat invasive species and protect the biodiversity of Niagara. If you have registered for this tour, please check in between 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the lobby of the conference hotel. Volunteers will direct you to the tour bus. Presenter: Niagara Parks Commission | Depart from hotel lobby |
| 5:45 p.m. | First bus leaving Crowne Plaza Hotel for the Niagara Power Station | Depart from hotel lobby |
| 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. | 2024 OALA Awards at the Niagara Parks Power Station | Niagara Parks Power Station (7005 Niagara River Pkwy) |
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 8:00 a.m. | Registration and Exhibits Open | Brock Room |
| 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast | Niagara Ballroom |
| 9:15 - 9:30 a.m. | Opening Remarks | Niagara Ballroom |
| 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Opening Keynote: Niagara Parks Coastal Wetland Projects The Niagara River has a long history of environmental degradation due to the development of hydroelectric power, urbanization, and the industrial revolution. Through the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan (NRRAP), coordinated by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, significant efforts have been made to address decades of habitat loss and environmental degradation caused by industrialization and urban growth. In our opening keynote presentation, we will explore the historical context of environmental challenges along the Niagara River, the collaborative efforts driving restoration initiatives, and the impactful results achieved through sustainable landscape design and conservation efforts. Presenters: Steven Barnhart, OALA, Senior Director, Planning, Environment, and Culture, Niagara Parks Commission; Corey Burant, Manager, Lands & Stewardship, The Niagara Parks Commission; Natalie Green, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority Manager, Climate Change & Special Programs | Niagara Ballroom |
| 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Exhibitor Break | Brock Room |
| 11:00 - 12:00 p.m. | Morning Concurrent Sessions | |
| Designing for Neurodiversity to Improve Public Spaces for All As landscape architects, we are dedicated to creating public spaces that benefit society. Efforts to provide accessible spaces for everyone have led to improvements in design standards, however we believe that there is further yet to go. Our presentation will consider how to raise the bar for inclusive design through a neurodiversity lens, seeking out and actively listening to neurodiverse perspectives for practical, real-world solutions. This session, presented by Alison Lumby, Principal Landscape Architect, and Sarah Taslimi, Senior Landscape Architect at WSP, will focus on how to raise the bar for inclusive design, apply a neurodiverse lens, and seek neurodiverse perspectives for practical, real-world solutions. Presenters: Alison Lumby, OALA, Principal Landscape Architect, WSP; Sarah Taslimi, OALA, Senior Landscape Architect, WSP | Canadian Room AB (5th floor) | |
| Biophilic Regenerative Design - Our Reason for Being Consider the following facts: there has been a 69% loss in biodiversity since 1970; nature is the highest valued global asset, valued at trillions of dollars annually; and the best actions humans can take is to create more nature to ensure the survival of our planet. Join Souhaila F Sarkis, OALA, for a discussion on Biophilic Regenerative Design principles and learn how to catalyze positive biodiversity outcomes through a shift in design approach and innovative design strategies, benefiting communities socially, economically, and ecologically. Landscape architects are best poised as THE leaders in Biophilic Regenerative Design. It's time to seize the opportunity to shape a sustainable future where nature thrives! Presenter: Souhaila F Sarkis, OALA, Sarkis Design | Niagara Ballroom | |
| COMBINED SESSION Small Spaces, Big Impact: Transforming left-over remnant spaces into green public amenities Over the past decade, there has been an increased demand for more green space in cities and an increased focus on developing our cities to be more resilient to the effects of climate change. In this presentation, James Roche, OALA, FCSLA, will use the Bloor-Annex BIA Parkettes as a case study. This project demonstrates how small, under-utilized spaces, like paved lots, can be transformed into sustainable, green public amenity spaces. These spaces help reduce the urban heat island effect, support pollinators, manage stormwater, and create new social spaces where people can connect with nature. The project showcases how landscape architects can encourage inclusive design that serves an important social, environmental, and economic role for the neighborhood, and provides an inspiring example of how cities can re-imagine these undefined spaces. Presenter: James Roche, OALA, FCSLA, APALA, BCSLA, Partner, DTAH Cracks in the Pavement Discover the transformative impact of Hamilton's DePave Project. Led by Green Venture and designed by Adele Pierre, OALA, this initiative converted 100 m2 of asphalt into vibrant rain gardens and pollinator habitats, beautifying and revitalizing urban streetscapes previously lacking green space and prone to flooding. To date, seven city boulevards on Barton Street E have been converted to gardens forming a cohesive network of greenery in a highly industrialized area. In this session, presenter Adele Pierre, OALA, will discuss how these small-scale interventions can create significant positive change in urban neighborhoods. Presenter: Adele Pierre, OALA | King George (5th floor) | |
| 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch and Exhibits | Niagara Ballroom |
| 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Afternoon Concurrent Sessions | |
| Transformations in Park Design: How parks and public spaces must respond to the ripple effects of changing demographics, intensification, and climate change The pressure to maximize our landscapes has never been greater. Changing demographics, urban intensification, and climate change create challenges that demand integrated solutions. This session will explore how park planning and design are evolving under these pressures. Discover how Canadian municipalities creatively use public spaces to balance competing demands and learn about the shift from single-use amenities to multifunctional spaces. Join Amanda Gebhardt, OALA, Practice Lead, and Megan Turnock, Principal of LEES+Associates, to discuss key trends, shifting priorities, and strategies for reducing maintenance, enhancing urban biodiversity, and fostering social and cultural connections in multifaceted landscape development. Presenters: Amanda Gebhardt, OALA, Practice Lead, and Megan Turnock, Principal, LEES+Associates | King George (5th floor) | |
| Eglinton Crosstown West Extension (ECWE) - Line Wide Landscape & Restoration Plan Explore the groundbreaking Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Line Wide Landscape and Restoration Plan, showcasing a comprehensive approach to landscape restoration alongside transit development. The plan focuses on restoring naturalized landscapes along Fergie Brown Park, Eglinton Flats and the Humber River valley, remnant woodlots, and streetscape boulevards. The scale and ambition of this project are unprecedented for a transit project in Ontario. This session will detail how the project is achieving planting goals under Metrolinx guidelines, enhancing biodiversity with native plants, and implementing advanced stormwater management techniques while working in close and continuous collaboration with Indigenous communities, key stakeholders, and the broader public. Presenters: Sandrina Dumitrascu Kramar, OALA, Project Manager, Stations & Facilities, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, Metrolinx; Deanne Mighton, ECWE Project Sponsor Subways, Metrolinx; Kaylin Barnes, Manager, Restoration, Metrolinx; Peter Smith, OALA, Senior Landscape Architect, DTAH; David Restivo, Associate, Dillon Consulting Limited | Canadian Room AB (5th floor) | |
| How Landscape Architects Can Get Big Things Done The Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure (PLFP) Project is a $1.35 billion initiative led by Waterfront Toronto and funded by all three levels of government. In addition to providing flood protection to approximately 250 hectares of flood-vulnerable lands, the project is transforming over 30 hectares of industrial brownfields into a naturalized river valley system, unlocking the area for revitalization and facilitating billions of dollars in investment. This initiative will improve quality of life, bring nature back to an underused industrial site and better protect Toronto’s downtown from extreme weather conditions. Led by Shannon Baker, OALA, this presentation will focus on the leadership roles that landscape architects can play in the delivery of large-scale mega projects. It will explore strategies for overcoming environmental, climatic, infrastructural, and political challenges, as well as interdisciplinary barriers, all through the lens of the Port Lands project. Presenter: Shannon Baker, OALA, Project Director, Parks and Public Realm, Waterfront Toronto | Niagara Ballroom | |
| 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. | Exhibitor Break | Brock Room |
| 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Keynote and Closing Remarks: Driving a Culture Shift in the Design of the Public Realm The design of the public realm is undergoing a significant cultural shift - moving away from traditional grey, engineered systems towards nature-based infrastructures. These new green infrastructures hybridize urban nature and engineering to improve ecological performance, reduce carbon footprint, and support biodiversity. Landscape architects in many different roles - from design firms, to policy leads in municipalities, to landscape contractors - are the drivers of this cultural shift, through small actions that make a big cumulative impact. Our closing keynote panel will showcase a series of small but impactful studies, pilot projects, and initiatives led by landscape architects in different public and private sector roles, that are driving change toward more resilient and biodiverse urban landscapes. Presenters: Sonja Vangjeli, Senior Urban Designer, City of Toronto; Matt Perotto, Landscape Architect, Janet Rosenberg & Studio; Jonas Spring, Owner and Operator, Ecoman; Matthew Canaran, Project Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at The Friends of Allan Gardens, Toronto | Niagara Ballroom |