2025 OALA Awards

Jerrold Corush, OALA

Jerrold Corush, founder and lead principal of CSW Landscape Architects, has been shaping Ottawa’s landscape for over 50 years. A graduate of the University of Illinois, he played a significant role in establishing the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects while serving on its Council in the 1970s.

A true innovator, Jerrold led CSW to become one of the first Landscape Architectural firms in Ottawa to embrace automation, introducing computer technology as a design tool. In the years that followed, Jerrold further advanced the industry by championing the use of 3D modelling software to enhance communication with clients and the public.

In the 1980s, Jerrold led the Region of Ottawa-Carleton’s Transitway project, implementing green corridors filled with thousands of trees along Ottawa's transitways. This initiative paved the way for urban reforestation, now regarded as standard practice.

Several landmark projects that have shaped Ottawa’s downtown core are a direct result of Jerrold’s collaboration with his CSW team, along with leading architectural and engineering firms across the city. Notable projects include the Royal Canadian Mint, the U.S. Embassy, the Kanata Research Park and Brookstreet Hotel, Arts Court Courtyard, and the Rideau Canal Esplanade.

Beyond his design contributions, Jerrold has mentored generations of landscape architects, many of whom have gone on to lead their own firms. His legacy is not just in the spaces he has helped create but in the professionals he has inspired.

Jerrold's passion for the profession and his unique ability to promote the role of landscape architects have helped shape Ottawa into the green and vibrant city it is today.

Steven Shuttle, OALA

As an Intern Councillor, Steven Shuttle has demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting the professional growth of his peers. To assist Intern members in preparing for the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE), he organizes both online and in-person exam preparation sessions, offering guidance and resources for those pursuing full membership. As a guest speaker at the University of Guelph, he shares his experiences and insights on the path to licensure, mentoring emerging professionals as they navigate their careers.

In addition, Steven is an active member of OALA's Practice Legislation Committee, where he plays an important role in advocating for the profession. By engaging with MPPs and key stakeholders, he works to advance the OALA Practice Act and strengthen the future of the profession.

Beyond his contributions to OALA, Steven is deeply committed to community engagement. As a Director with Friends of Allan Gardens, he actively supports programming, engagement initiatives, and stewardship efforts that enhance this cherished public space. His volunteerism reflects a passion for fostering vibrant, sustainable, and accessible landscapes for all.

Patrick Li, OALA

Patrick Li, Principal of EDA Collaborative Inc., is a trailblazer in landscape architecture, pioneering the integration of stormwater management with landscape architectural planning and design.

His work includes the groundbreaking landscape design for Scarden Park in Scarborough, Ontario. This project not only managed stormwater efficiently but also created an aesthetically pleasing and functional public space. He cleverly incorporated a stormwater pond into the park's design, integrating an amphitheatre, jogging trails, and a baseball diamond. This pioneering project, the first of its kind in Canada, received the CSLA National Honour Design Award and inspired future developments in sustainable landscape architecture.

Patrick continued his innovative work on stormwater management, completing multiple parks in Scarborough and other municipalities. His innovative approach has also been successfully to the planning and design of Dupont Head Office in Mississauga and the OPP Headquarters in Orillia, Ontario. His expertise extended internationally, notably with the Chenggong New Town Master Planning project in Kunming, China. This initiative earned international recognition, winning the International Planning Competition and receiving widespread publication.

Beyond his design work, Patrick is a dedicated mentor and educator, sharing his extensive research at OALA, CSLA, and international conferences. He has lectured at prestigious institutions, including the University of Guelph, the University of Toronto, and Beijing Forestry University.

Ian Dance, OALA

For over 45 years, Ian Dance has profoundly advanced landscape architecture through his visionary leadership and environmentally conscious design. Throughout this career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to sustainability, ecological restoration, and the integration of cultural and natural systems. A Metropolitan Toronto University graduate and CSLA Fellow, Ian has led award-winning projects that reflect his ability to balance environmental sensitivity with functional, beautiful public spaces.

Ian's transformative projects span multiple locations, including Richmond Hill, where he worked on the Lake Wilcox Waterfront Park and the Mill Pond Park Masterplan. In Mississauga, he contributed to the Port Credit River West Parks. His work also includes the Confederation Landing Park in Prince Edward Island and notable spaces in Toronto, such as the Bay Adelaide Centre plaza, Humber Bay Shores waterfront, and new parkland for Hotel X, located within the Exhibition lands. In Ottawa, Ian has led various projects and planning studies, including a revitalization vision for the Confederation Heights Campus and the Les Terrasses de la Chaudière complex, which houses Canada’s largest federal employment centres. He has also played a role in the renewal of the Parliamentary precinct. Internationally, Ian is recognized for his work on eco park projects in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, as well as for environmental masterplans for projects in China and South Korea.

Ian’s commitment to placemaking, sustainability, and design innovation is matched by his mentorship and advocacy within the profession. A long-time OALA contributor, he continues to inspire through teaching, writing, and professional service. Ian’s legacy lies not just in his projects, but in his unwavering commitment to ecological integrity and creating landscapes that enrich communities and the environment alike.

Canadensis Botanical Garden Society

Canadensis Botanical Garden Society is a volunteer-led organization dedicated to inclusive and sustainable design, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Currently, Ottawa is the only G20 capital that does not have a dedicated botanical garden. However, the Society has a plan to change this with the development of “Canadensis: The Garden of Canada / le Jardin du Canada.” This landmark botanical garden will be located within Ottawa’s Central Experimental Farm, adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage site Rideau Canal. The CSLA award-winning master plan will showcase Canadian landscapes and native plants while serving as a centre for research and learning on plant science, sustainable horticulture, and climate adaptation.

For over 20 years, the Society has engaged the community through guided tours, seasonal festivals, workshops and their annual Beyond the Edge: Artists’ Gardens land art exhibition, exploring the notion of a rural natural oasis in the heart of an urban centre, all the while working towards the eventual creation of a long-awaited botanical garden in Canada’s capital.

Patrick Bunting, OALA

Patrick Bunting is a Senior Planner, Urban Design at the National Capital Commission (NCC). He first joined the NCC’s Design and Construction branch in 2013, playing a key role in the design of significant public spaces such as Pindigen Park and the Rideau Hall Forecourt.

In 2016, Patrick joined the NCC’s Long-Range Planning team, developing strategic plans for the Ottawa River’s waterfronts. He later led the 2020 Capital Pathway Strategic Plan, improving accessibility, connectivity, and environmental integration. In 2023, he updated the NCC Capital Design Guidelines, providing a clear and consistent understanding of design excellence. Currently, he is leading the renewal of the Core Area Sector Plan, a critical initiative that will shape the heart of the Capital for decades to come.

Patrick’s contributions have had a lasting impact on the National Capital Region. Beyond his work at the NCC, he is deeply engaged in advancing the profession, mentoring students and professionals and serving as board member for the Council for Canadian Urbanism.

Mark Hillmer, OALA

For years, Mark Hillmer, a landscape architect at Arcadis, has exhibited his passion for advancing the landscape architecture profession through his extensive volunteer work. Currently Chair of the Ground Editorial Board, he has played a pivotal role in ensuring the publication serves as an insightful and high-quality resource for OALA members.

In addition to his contributions to Ground, Mark has served on OALA Council and several committees, including the Marketing Committee, Awards Committee, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force and the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Through these roles, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity and innovation.

Mark’s dedication has not only strengthened the OALA but has also helped shape the future of landscape architecture by championing equity, diversity, and mentorship within the profession.

Diana Beresford-Kroeger

Diana Beresford–Kroeger is a world-renowned author, botanist, medical biochemist, and polymath with a remarkable ability to inspire an understanding and appreciation of the scientific complexities of nature and our connection to it.

With her deep understanding of natural systems and forests, Diana communicates the beauty and healing powers of nature, fostering a particular affinity with landscape architects and environmental advocates.

She has written seven books, including Our Green Heart, To Speak for the Trees, and The Global Forest, bringing her insights to readers worldwide.

As a sought-after speaker, Diana has given lectures across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Japan, including a keynote speech at the 2018 OALA conference. Diana makes her home in Eastern Ontario, where she nurtures an arboretum with trees collected from all over the world.

Michael McClelland

Michael McClelland is a founding principal of ERA Architects, co-founder and chair of the Friends of Allan Gardens, and a registered architect who has specialized in heritage conservation, heritage planning, and urban design for over 30 years.

Michael has collaborated with many landscape architects on numerous notable projects across Ontario, including Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works, Distillery District, Queen’s Park North, and Ottawa’s Kìwekì Point, to name a few. His contributions to landscape architecture extend through writing, speaking, and serving organizations including The Cultural Landscape Foundation’s Stewardship Council.

Dedicated to community stewardship, Michael advocates for the preservation of Toronto’s cultural spaces. He founded Art=Waterfront, a coalition that envisions a Waterfront Cultural Corridor across the city. As chair of Friends of Allan Gardens (FOAG), he has led efforts to revitalize the park, producing key reports and fostering partnerships. FOAG have received multiple awards for their impact, including the 2024 OALA Community Service to the Environment Award.

David Stonehouse

David Stonehouse is an urban planner and a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, with over three decades of experience in shaping urban landscapes. His career has been dedicated to environmental restoration, park development, and urban revitalization, working closely with landscape architects to advance the profession across Canada.

He began his career with the City of Toronto in 1990 as Coordinator of the Task Force to Bring Back the Don, where he organized dozens of community planting events each spring and fall. From 2002 to 2013, David joined Evergreen Canada, where he played a pivotal role in creating the Evergreen Brick Works, an award-winning model of adaptive reuse and sustainability that transformed a historic brick factory.

Since 2014, David has served as Director of the Waterfront Secretariat, working to transform 800 hectares of brownfields land along Toronto's waterfront into diverse, accessible, and sustainable mixed-use communities and vibrant public spaces.

His leadership has shaped key projects such as Port Lands Flood Protection, The Bentway, Quayside, and the forthcoming Biidaasige Park.

David’s unwavering commitment to nature and the public realm has left an indelible mark on Toronto’s urban fabric, setting a precedent for cities worldwide.