Notes: A miscellany of news and events
camping boom
The pandemic has made most travel and vacations inadvisable, or even impossible. It’s no surprise, then, booking for Ontario Provincial Parks sites doubled between January 1 and February 5, as compared to last year.
Ideally, this is the beginning of a surge in appreciation for these provincial treasures, a greater desire to connect with nature, and stronger feelings of stewardship for Ontario’s diverse natural habitats. Although, it’s worth noting, Ontario Parks is asking people to only visit parks and conservation reserves “close to home,” as the pandemic continues, and so-called variants of concern threaten a third wave of infections.
congress
The 2021 CSLA-OALA Congress is going virtual for the first time in the history of the event. Due to the climate crisis, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this spring, you’ll be able to attend the congress from the comfort of your own home.
The accessible online program will offer education, engagement, award shows and networking opportunities with landscape architects from across the country.
This year’s theme will be Nature-Based Solutions: The Green Recovery that Ensures a Great Recovery, with keynote speakers Martha Schwartz and Maude Barlow.
It all takes place May 27-29, 2021. For more information, go to www.csla-aapc.ca/events/2021congress
new members
The Ontario Association of Landscape Architects is proud to recognize and welcome the following new members
to the Association:
Helio Araujo
Zeynep Benk *
Karen Lui *
Milana Malesevich *
Christina Vannelli
Asterisk (*) denotes Full Members without the use of professional seal.
Defaulted and Resigned Full Members for 2020
Nine former members defaulted in 2020:
Mark Ambtman
Roy Averill
Michael K Pui Chan
Barry Day
Stan Fung
Ian Hampson
Kendra Kryszak
James Sampa
Moira Wilson
Thirteen Full Members resigned in 2020:
Elena Brescia
Victoria Lister Carley
Michael Clement
William Montague
Samuel Ng
Tim O’Brien
Christina Schmoll
Tracey Schwets
Maria Smith
Jordan Vander Klok
Jeffrey Waring
Peter Windolf
Kyle Yakimovitch
books
Readers might be interested in a new book from UBC Press which examines the intersection of iconic landscape and public infrastructure. In Fixing Niagara Falls: Environment, Energy, and Engineers at the World’s Most Famous Waterfall, author Daniel Macfarlane explores the multinational engineering project that both harnesses the power of the falls for hydroelectric power generation, while preserving its outward, tourist appeal as one of the world’s great natural wonders. But at what level of human intervention can this iconic landscape withstand and still be “natural?”
equity resources
In the hopes of promoting diversity, equity, and understanding, Ground will be sharing resources for supporting, encouraging, and celebrating racial justice in the landscape architecture field. Here are a few selections:
Black Landscapes Matter, by Kofi Boone: worldlandscapearchitect.com/black-landscapes-matter-by-kofi-boone/
“What are we taught about landscape architecture — which theories, histories, and case studies inform our understanding both of our profession, historically, and how we work in the present? Which landscapes do we choose to exalt, and which are obscured from broader collective memory and recognition? Building on the underlying motivations of the BLM movement ‘to be seen, to live with dignity, and to be connected,’ Kofi Boone challenges us to reconsider landscape architecture to include Black landscapes and landscape architects as a way of strengthening and diversifying both the history, and the future, of the profession.” — Nadja Pausch, OALA, Ground Editorial, Board Chair
Climate in Colour: climateincolour.com
“Conversations surrounding climate change and environmental justice often exclude Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, despite the longstanding and intimate relationship between environmental justice and racial justice movements. Climate In Colour is an online educational platform that ‘stands at the intersection of climate science and social justice and is making climate conversations more accessible and diverse.’ Climate in Colour provides useful resources to learn more about the link between the environment and racism, including an interactive online course, The Colonial History of Climate, which explores the connection between climate, science, and European Imperialism, and how this connection translates to today’s climate crisis.” — Saira Abdulrehman, one of the founders and principal designers at The [204] Design Collective, a POC and women-led design studio, and Ground editorial board member
If you’d like to go deeper, the CSLA is providing a Diversity & Equality Resources page on their website: www.csla-aapc.ca/mission-areas/diversity-equality-resources
covid escapes
Last summer, in response to the pandemic, many municipalities looked for ways people could get outside and enjoy their cities and towns, while maintaining safe social distance and practicing public health safety. With another summer approaching, these municipalities are looking to repeat, perfect, or even expand their COVID-safe interventions. As well, Toronto is looking to bring back its ActiveTO weekend road closures program for pedestrians and cyclist, although construction may prevent the use of Lakeshore Boulevard West for that purpose.
