2014 AKASLA_AnnualGeneralReport

President’s Message
Brent Hove
I’m excited to be taking over as President of the Alaska Chapter ASLA. The last couple of years serving
on the board have shaped my views and ideas about the local chapter and the important role we play
in defining landscape architecture as a profession that is represented by all 50 states under National
Chapter in Washington DC. I understand how membership, continuing education, public outreach and
community involvement sustain a positive perception and attitude towards the profession of landscape
architecture. Before joining the board, as someone on the outside looking in, many of those principals
were lost on me, but with increased involvement my respect and admiration for what the chapter
provides to the community grew.
Roll Call 2015
President: Brent Hove
Past-President: Jonny Hayes
Trustee: Tamás Deak
Secretary: Mélisa Babb
Treasurer: Ed Leonetti
VP South Central: Oona
Martin
VP Southeast: Michele Elfers
VP Interior: Eliza Cink
Member-At-Large: Monique
Anderson
Member-At-Large: Stephanie
Brown
AELS Representative:
Luanne Urfer
How did I get here? It was certainly not the traditional route. There was no Wisconsin State Fair Carnival
palm reader tracing her nail across the creases of my upturned teenage hand and saying, “I see for
you a career hunched over pieces of the earth, working with pencils and crinkly paper.” My father and
both of my grandfathers were salesmen. My high school offered nothing that remotely resembled
architecture. I can guarantee you that no teacher ever paused at my desk, peered over my shoulder
and called attention to the rest of the class, saying, “every one look at what Brent drew.” From the time
I finished high school to the time I sat in my first cubicle (yes I said cubicle, this isn’t a romance story)
to begin working as a landscape designer I covered some serious occupational territory all the way
from schlepping frozen yogurt for TCBY in Waukesha, WI., bartending in Lake of the Woods MN., and
longlining for black cod in the Bering Sea. Fed up with dead end jobs I sat at the computer and started
scrolling the long list of degrees offered at various universities across the United States. I came across
some real gems like Poultry Science, Jazz Studies, Bowling Industry Management and Puppetry. My
degree in English had done little more than affirm my suspicion that people must pursue a BA in English
with the sole desire of becoming less employable.
Finally, my eye rested upon landscape architecture. Having spent a good deal of my 20’s as a landscape
laborer and operator it seemed like a practical fit. Finally, the writing skills I’d attained pursuing my
English BA had a purpose as I utilized them to write an essay that persuaded the LA faculty at the
University of Oregon I would be an excellent candidate for the accelerated LA master’s degree program.
After three years of hard work, more sleepless nights than I want to remember, and the ability to
identify 457 trees and shrubs I held both a BLA and MLA in landscape architecture. Entering the program
with no graphic or architectural background and a limited ability to see something through from start to
finish I can easily say it was one of the most challenging periods in my life. If not for my young son and
a friendly bet I’d made with a classmate challenging one another to complete the five year program in
three years I might have simply thrown in the towel and returned to Alaska to rekindle my career as a
“dead end job specialist.”
Now that I’m here and taking over the position of President people have come to me with different
questions, “what’s your goal? What will you be focusing upon?” In my opinion assuming this role goes
beyond simply seeing that the tasks we have laid out as board are given the opportunity to grow and
attain their potential. For me the challenge lies in making sure that our membership understands that
this organization represents a community they are a part of. I hope to see the faces of our members
returning to functions and volunteer efforts because this community has value to them and represents
something they want to be a part of. Often, in our current age of twitter, 24/7 news feeds and email
exchanges we forget that communities grow and develop when people simply show up and offer what
they have to share again and again.
2
As landscape architect’s we should understand this principle better than others. Time and again our
work calls upon us to build, heal, connect and stabilize the landscapes that people inhabit. We strive to
create sustainable, connective, and social places that create the backdrop for a strong, safe and healthy
community. By healthy community I refer not only to the human inhabitants, but all living beings of the
greater ecosystem including birds, insects, trees, and fish to name a few.
For all of our efforts to sustain and heal a thriving green network we’re still met with naïve labels of
“tree hugger, greenie, nature lover” or my personal favorite “eagle freak”. These are all easy terms to
use in a world fixated upon cut rate development shoved down the public’s throat as quickly as possible
for short term profit. More often than not simple practices like protecting streams, preserving trees
and creating habitat are seen as a hindrance to development. It is not our goal as landscape architects
to stand in the way of development. Our goal is simply to do the right thing by the land and the people
that inhabit it. Our vision extends miles beyond the cookie cutter spaces springing up in 1/4 mile
clusters over and over. Our goal is to preserve any remaining character inherent to a location and build
on that with good design in order to create places people will remember, identify with and define. We
do this over and over no matter the scale, constantly considering the links and connections to a larger
green network
I have to admit that taking on the role of president for the Alaska chapter is an intimidating one. After
all when we speak of the landscape our field of expertise suddenly extends to everything beyond the
building. It’s vast, limitless, and unpredictable and the opportunities are endless. With that being said
my goal as president is to move forward and build upon the solid framework my predecessors have
established. We have a strong community of LA’s here in Alaska and just like the expansive profession
we represent I feel that the potential for what we can achieve is limitless.
3
Treasurer’s Report
Ed Leonetti
The financial state of the Chapter continues to be healthy with Executive Board members implementing
responsible spending, effectively generating income and planning for the future.
The executive board passed and operated the year within a balanced budget and had only one minor
modification through the year.
This year was a dual income year with the chapter planning and implementing the Garden Design
Workshop in Anchorage and a concerted effort to organizing and drum up income thru the sponsorship
plan. The major income generator for the year was Garden Design workshop – however the tides are
turning and next year major income generators could be different. Expenses for the chapter was as
usual with the majority going to Affiliate Sponsors and Events; i.e. Alaska Design Forum and The Alaska
Professional Design Council. Other expenses included executive board member reimbursements and
general operating costs; i.e. insurance and web page maintenance fees.
Spring of 2014 marked the shift of financial institutions and all of the chapters funds were transferred
to Credit Union One. The transition was seamless and smooth. The organizational structure of the
accounts is much more manageable. The recent upgrade to online banking allows further management
simplicity and organization. The future of the Chapter’s relationship with Credit Union One is
encouraging and refreshing.
The consistent financial position of the chapter is positive and looks to continue. The chapter is
fortunate to have dedicated members who have a desire to improve the financial responsibility and
accountability of the chapter. A special thank you goes to all the members who volunteered countless
hours and have made this year a success. Great job Alaska!
Chapter Income
43%
25%
32%
Chapter Income
Chapter Dues
Donations &
Sponsorships
Special Projects
4
$4,500.00
$4,000.00
$3,500.00
$3,000.00
$2,500.00
$2,000.00
$1,500.00
$1,000.00
$500.00
$0.00
Chapter Income
Chapter
Dues
Donations
&
Sponsorsh
ips
Special
Projects
$2,397.00
$3,000.00
$4,050.00
Chapter Expenses
$0.00
($500.00)
($1,000.00)
($1,500.00)
($2,000.00)
($2,500.00)
($3,000.00)
($3,500.00)
Required
Expenditures
-28%
-32%
Chapter Expenses
Affiliate Sponsors +
Events
-38%
Required
Expenditu
res
Advocacy + Nat'l CPC
& BoT Meeting
Attendance
Chapter Expenses ($2,302.31)
Chapter Income/Expense
Affiliate
Sponsors
+ Events
Advocacy
+ Nat'l
CPC &
BoT
Meeting
Attendan
ce
($3,004.70)
($2,500.00)
Chapter Income/Expense
$12,000.00
$10,000.00
$8,000.00
$6,000.00
$4,000.00
Income
$2,000.00
Expense
Chapter
Income/Expense
$0.00
-$2,000.00
Income
Expense
-$4,000.00
-$6,000.00
-$8,000.00
-$10,000.00
Cash Allocations
Cash Allocations
$60,000.00
$50,000.00
$40,000.00
$30,000.00
$20,000.00
Reserve/Rainy Day Account
73%
8%
Scholarship Account
6%
$0.00
Cash Allocations
Outreach
6%
7%
$10,000.00
0%
Sponsorship Acct
Visitation Acct
Encumber Funds
5
ASLA Alaska Chapter - 2013-14
Actuals 10.14.2014
ITEM
A
1 3 -' 1 4 ACTUAL
1 3 -' 1 4 BUDGET
DESCRIPTION
Income
Expense
Income
Expense
Balance
Not es
Chapt er Income
1
Local Chapt er Dues ( 3 7 @ $ 7 5 )
2
Int erest Income
$ 2 ,7 7 5 .0 0
$ 2 ,3 9 7 .0 0
$ 0 .0 0
$ 0 .0 0
$ 0 .0 0
$ 0 .0 0
Donat ions and Sponsorships
3
Annual Meet ing Sponsorship
( 4 ) Current Chapt er Sponsors + Job
Opport unit y Advert ising - $ 5 0 0 Alaska
4
Sponsorship Plan
$ 2 ,0 0 0 .0 0
$ 3 ,0 0 0 .0 0
$ 3 ,0 0 1 .5 7
Archit ect ural Light ing, $ 5 0 0 Bet t iswort h
Nort h, $ 5 0 0 Corvus Design, $ 5 0 0
Dowl/ HKM, $ 5 0 0 Landscape Forms, $ 5 0 0
Sit elines
5
Job Opening Advert ising
$ 0 .0 0
$ 0 .0 0
$ 4 ,5 0 0 .0 0
$ 4 ,0 5 0 .0 0
6
7
Special Project s
Garden Design Workshop Tuit ion ( 2 0 @ $ 2 2 5 )
Annual GDW event in Anchorage: 5 0 % of
( $ 1 ,7 8 1 .8 1 )
Prof it s allocat ed t owards St udent
Out reach Program ( see Special Project s
It em C3 9 ) 3 5 6 3 .6 2 / 2 =1 7 8 1 .8 1
Miscellaneous Account s
8
Available Funds in Account
$ 8 ,0 6 6 .0 0
9
Reserved Funds
$ 5 ,0 3 4 .8 4
( $ 5 ,0 3 4 .8 4 )
$ 2 5 0 .0 0
( $ 2 6 7 .1 4 )
10
Chapt er Visit at ion Account
11
Scholarship Account
St udent Out reach Account
$ 5 3 ,6 9 6 .7 2 ( $ 5 2 ,6 9 6 .7 2 )
$ 3 ,8 7 0 .0 0
( $ 2 ,8 7 0 .0 0 )
$ 5 ,4 4 5 .0 9
$ 5 ,4 4 5 .0 9
$ 5 ,0 3 9 .9 3
( $ 5 ,0 3 9 .9 3 )
$ 5 ,0 3 9 .9 3
$ 5 3 ,7 2 7 .7 6
( $ 5 3 ,7 2 7 .7 6 )
$ 1 2 .2 3
$ 3 5 0 .2 1 year.
$ 5 3 ,7 2 7 .5 6 ( See Chapt er Expense It em B2 5 )
Project ed expense of $ 1 0 0 0 f or Nancy
Lakes + St at e of AK PUC Design
12
Compet it ion ( See Special Project s It em
C3 8 )
Sect ion Subt ot al
B
$ 1 7 ,3 4 1 .0 0
$ 0 .0 0
$ 9 ,4 4 7 .0 0
$ 3 ,6 6 3 .2 8
Chapt er Expenses
Required Expendit ures
13
ASLA Insurance
14
APDC Annual Dues
15
16
( $ 5 0 .0 0 )
( $ 5 2 .3 1 )
Required by ASLA Nat ional
( $ 3 7 5 .0 0 )
APDC Legislat ive Liaison
ASLA Websit e Annual Fee
Prof essional membership wit h APDC
( $ 1 ,6 2 5 .0 0 )
( $ 1 ,9 5 0 .0 0 )
( $ 3 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 3 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 2 5 0 .0 0 )
( $ 2 5 0 .0 0 )
Cont ribut ion f or legislat ive represent at ion
17
Affiliat e Sponsors + Event s
18
E-Week
19
Discret ionary Fund ( CEU , Sponsorship, Event s)
20
Engineer' s Week
Flexible t o allow f und f or event s or
( $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 )
part nerships
Chapt er Visit at ion Account
( $ 2 5 0 .0 0 )
21
AK Bot anical Garden Business Membership
( $ 1 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 1 2 5 .0 0 )
22
ASLA AK Design Forum Cont ribut ion
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
Forum
23
Yearly Cont ribut ion t o Account See A3 9
Council of Educat ion Facilit y Planners Int ernat ional ( CEFPI)
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
Prof essional membership wit h CEFPI
24
Chapt er Annual General Meet ing
( $ 6 2 9 .7 0 )
( $ 6 2 9 .7 0 )
Anchorage-5 8 4 .4 0 , Sout h East :4 5 .3 0
25
Scholarship Award t o Recipient
( $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 )
President - ASLA Mid Year Reimbursement
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
Def rays cost s of represent ing chapt er
President - ASLA Annual Mt g. Reimbursement
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
Def rays cost s of represent ing chapt er
Past / Elect President - ASLA Mid Year Reimbursement
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
Def rays cost s of represent ing chapt er
Past / Elect President - ASLA Annual Mt g. Reimbursement
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
Advocacy + Nat 'l CPC & BoT Meet ing At t endance
26
27
28
29
30
31
Execut ive Member Travel Reimbursement s
Def rays cost s of represent ing chapt er
Trust ee - ASLA Mid Year Reimbursement
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
Def rays cost s of represent ing chapt er
32
Trust ee - ASLA Annual Mt g. Reimbursement
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
Def rays cost s of represent ing chapt er
33
ASLA Licensure Summit ( 1 person)
( $ 5 0 0 .0 0 )
34
Licensure Advocacy
AK…board t o recommend someone
For Legislat ive Fly-In
( $ 1 ,5 0 0 .0 0 )
Sect ion Subt ot al
-$ 1 1 ,5 7 9 .7 0
-$ 7 ,8 0 7 .0 1
ASLA Garden Design Class Program Cost s
( $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 )
( $ 4 8 6 .3 8 )
38
St udent Out reach Program
( $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 )
39
St udent Out reach Program Fund Allocat ion
( $ 2 ,2 5 0 .0 0 )
C
35
$ 0 .0 0
Special Project s
$ 1 0 0 0 f or Anchorage locat ion cost
36
37
AK
( $ 1 2 .8 2 )
$ 1 ,7 8 1 .8 1
$ 5 ,6 5 4 .0 6 Project ed 5 0 % Prof it Allocat ion t o
40
St udent Out reach Program sub-account .
41
Sect ion Subt ot al
$ 0 .0 0
-$ 4 ,2 5 0 .0 0
$ 1 ,7 8 1 .8 1
-$ 4 9 9 .2 0
$ 1 7 ,3 4 1 .0 0
-$ 1 5 ,8 2 9 .7 0
$ 1 1 ,2 2 8 .8 1
-$ 4 ,6 4 2 .9 3
Sect ions Tot al
Overall Budget Balance
6
$ 1 ,5 1 1 .3 0
$ 6 ,5 8 5 .8 8
$ 7 3 ,2 1 8 .4 2
ASLA Academic Scholarship
Libby Jacobson
The scholarship committee was pleased to award our 2014 ASLA Alaska Academic Scholarship to Libby
Jacobson.
A message from the Scholarship Recipient:
Hello, my name is Libby Jacobson and I am from Haines, Alaska. I gladly received the Alaska Chapter
ASLA scholarship and am putting the money to use while attending California Polytechnic State
University (Cal Poly). I always loved being outside, design, and would notice how people interacted
in spaces. The course load here at Cal Poly is difficult, yet interesting. I have learned the basics of the
digital realm, and completed the intro class. I am just beginning my first real studio and already, on the
first day, I have been assigned to create a 17” by 11” model using 40-100 layers of card stock. Cal Poly’s
“Learn By Doing” motto is certainly coming in to play. Thank you, once again, for supporting me in my
education to become a landscape architect. AELS and CLARB Report
Luanne Urfer
The AELS Board has been busy addressing the changes in engineering licensure. A large number of
applications have been submitted for currently licensed engineers for new licenses in their individual
disciplines. The board has also introduced new requirements for structural engineering licensure.
During the past few months, the Board has been reviewing budgets and expenditures in an effort
to keep licensure affordable. We have been working with the State of Alaska to better understand
how expenses are classified and split between boards. We are hopeful that some shared expenses, if
appropriate, can be reduced to the AELS Board.
Throughout the year, both CLARB and the AELS Boards have been working to encourage licensure of
young professionals. These efforts have resulted in some changes including early testing for landscape
architecture candidates. At the annual CLARB meeting, significant interest in Alaska’s mentoring
program was expressed. Other states are looking to include mentoring as part of their pathway to
licensure.
On an exciting note, at the last AELS Board meeting, a motion was brought forward to approach the new
legislature to provide a permanent, voting seat for landscape architecture. More information will be
available as soon as more action is taken by the Board on this motion. ​
7
Garden Design Workshop 2014
Oona Martin
The Garden Design Workshop raised $4050.00 this year minus expenses of $461.38. Expenses consisted
of advertising through ADN online, facebook, catering and snacks offered during lectures and the
day-long workshop. Half of the funds raised were allocated towards future Student Outreach efforts.
We operated the event in the usual way - 2 lectures and a 2 hour design session to 20 participants and
225$ per project/team.
The lecture spaces at the BP Energy Center facility are top notch and the smaller classrooms work best
for the lectures. For a change (and due to scheduling) , we tried the venue at the Community Center at
Loussac Place this year, at no cost, and it worked really well. A big thanks to Tamás Deak and Brent Hove
for securing this venue and helping with set up and breakdown. The Saturday session lunch was catered
by Side Street Espresso - delicious, healthy, and abundant food!
And now for the Thank You’s…
Special Thanks to Dwayne Adams for presenting the 1st lecture - folks could not get enough of the
photos of his yard! Special Thanks to Peter Briggs and Bud Hooker for presenting the 2nd lecture - great
presentation and sound advice.
Thank you to the GDW 2014 team - Brianne Keifer, who promoted the event at the Alaska Botanical
Garden Spring Conference (see below), Laura Minski for cleaning up the documents, fixing Facebook,
etc., Mélisa Babb for help with securing venues…. and Maeve Nevins for stepping up to help at both
lectures and assisting with 3! projects.
And, of course, thanks so much to all the Design Workshop volunteers for their time:
Dwayne Adams, FASLA
Brent Hove, ASLA
Mélisa Babb, ASLA
Mark Kimerer, ASLA
Peter Briggs, ASLA
Ryan King, Associate ASLA
Stephanie Brown, ASLA
Tania Krawchenko
Leah Buron ASLA MEMBER?
Oona Martin, ASLA
Nancy Casey, ASLA
Maeve Nevins, ASLA
Josh Durand ASLA
Chad Taylor, ASLA
Kevin Doniere, ASLA
Steve Hennig
As for 2015, we will forgo the GDW as a fund-raiser this spring in light of the success of the AK ASLA
Sponsorship Program and the incoming Challenge Grant chapter allocation from the Anchorage Parks
Foundation. I look forward to participating with you in Student Outreach activities and the Challenge
Grant community workshops.
8
Note from Editor: Oona Martin promoted the Garden Design Workshop on KSKA’s Hometown Alaska. A copy of the broadcast can
be found at http://www.alaskapublic.org/2014/03/28/garden-fever-in-april/
Annual General
Membership Meeting
The annual General Membership Meeting was
held on January 16th at side Street Espresso in
downtown Anchorage. General discussion at
the meeting included the fate of the Garden
Design Workshop and the importance of Student
Outreach. For further information about the
meeting, please contact the ASLA Alaska Chapter
Executive Board.
9
Remembering Susan R Luescher
03.23.1958 - 01.13.2015
Excerpts from the Reno Gazette-Journal:
Susan Ruth Luescher, who resided in Haines, Alaska, passed peacefully at
her second home in Reno, Nevada on January 13, 2015. She was among
loved ones after a courageous and dignified four year battle with pancreatic
cancer.
Sue’s lifelong quest for adventure began when she graduated from Reno
High School in 1975 and headed off to Switzerland to spend many weeks
with her Onkel Ruedi, Tante Berti, aunts, uncles and cousins. She then
embarked on her next adventure hitch hiking in Hawaii followed by a trek to
Canada to work on a fishing boat and then a tour around the country with
her brother Dennis.
In 1977, Sue returned to Reno where she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from the
University of Nevada, Reno. It was there that she met the love of her life, Dennis Geasan, with whom
she spent 35 wonderful years. After spending time in the Nevada desert hunting for minerals Sue
opened Graphic Harmony in 1990, a business specializing in computer graphics and drafting. Sue’s unique artistic talent, along with her love of the outdoors, drew her to Cornell University in
2001 where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture. After graduating she
had employment in Reno, Boulder Colorado, and Anchorage Alaska working on various Landscape
Architecture projects some of which she shared design rewards with colleagues. After moving to Haines
she continued her career as an independent Landscape Architect.
In recent years Sue spent a great deal of time with Dennis and their pup Luna at their
home on the ocean in Haines living the Alaska life. That life consisted of skiing, hiking,
and fishing along with berry and mushroom gathering and being involved with the
local arts community.
Sue battled her illness while living her life to its fullest, even hiking the “Tour of the
Matterhorn Trail” in the Swiss Alps for two weeks with Dennis in 2013. Her life these
last few years was not only about the cancer - it was about teaching us all to live life
to its fullest: take that trip, do that hike, catch that fish, and spend your precious time
with the ones you love. Sue lived a great and directed life. If she desired something
there was no standing in her way. She always had to be the first whether it was to the
top of a mountain, the bottom of a ski run, jumping off rocks at Tahoe, or getting her
two cents into a conversation. But Sue, we did not want you to be the first of your
family and many friends to leave this dear earth. We will miss everything about Sue,
but our memories of her will live on forever.
Words from Our Anchorage Community about Susan:
I became professionally acquainted with Susan around 2009 while she was working at DOWL in Anchorage. She struck me as a super
nice person that was passionate about landscape architecture. Years later, in 2014, I had the opportunity to propose on a project
in Haines, AK and thought of Susan because I knew she and Dennis had a cabin in Haines. Upon getting a hold of her, she let me
know that she was doing great and was eager to participate in the project. We won it together and as expected, Susan did a great
job with us on the work. I knew I could trust her abilities, and her judgment while co-representing us and our project to the Haines
Community. I was very sad and very surprised to hear she passed away. Reflecting back, I consider Susan to be a genuine, energetic
and caring person that enjoyed her travels and loved her husband and family. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Dennis and
Susan’s family and friends. She set a fine example as a person and a professional that I think will be remembered and emulated for a
long time.
- Mark Kimerer
I was lucky enough to have Susan on my design team at DOWL from 2008 – 2012. She was a real pleasure to know and to work with.
I wish that I had spent more time working alongside her. I might not have realized it at the time, but she had a special energy about
her, and a willingness to always go for it - whatever it was. Even if we hadn’t done something in the past on a project, she was always
pushing to try it to see if it worked or if it didn’t work…just so we would know.
I prayed for her and thought about her during her illness and always thought how awesome it was that she didn’t take no for an
answer when battling cancer. Whenever talking with friends or family about her, I always mentioned her as the poster child for
beating it! Everyone I talked with was amazed that she had done so well and I hope others will look at her example and follow her
lead.
She was a caring person and passionate colleague with an adventurous spirit. She is a great example of living life to its fullest. She will
be remembered and truly missed. - Kevin Doniere
A Bench and a Tree
Brent Hove
Thirteen years ago I entered the University of Oregon’s landscape architecture program to attain a
second degree when I determined that my original English Literature degree wasn’t exactly panning out.
I had the privilege of taking a design studio with Ron Lovinger . In the 60’s Ron was fortunate enough to
have attended Penn State under the tutelage of Ian McHarg. During Ron’s senior year in the landscape
architecture program at Penn State Ian McHarg received a call from Lawrence Halprin. Lawrence was
seeking fresh, young and affordable talent for his design firm and asked that Ian provide him with his
best and brightest student. Ron was selected and shortly thereafter began his apprenticeship with one
of the most well-known landscape architects of the 20th century. “I got lucky,” Ron would say to me
when I pressed him for details.
In the time I had under Ron’s instruction he taught me about Japanese Zen gardens and the borrowed
landscape. He showed our class slides juxtaposing Arabic oasis gardens with gaudy neon lit Las Vegas
landscapes. His eyes were wild as he gestured with his hands in swooping arcs. During design studio
he’d snatch the drafting pencil from your hand, begin squiggling, stippling and shading on the trace until
lush clusters of vegetation sprung to life. “Do it like this” he’d say, firmly tapping a finger on the freshly
drawn trees as he stared you straight in the eye. Then he’d tap on what you’d been struggling over for
the last three hours and say, “not like this.”
What I remember most of my time studying with Ron was how he pushed me to utilize the twelve
pointed star as the spatial centerpiece of a one acre lot our class was tasked to design for the local
Unitarian Church. In Ron’s opinion the geometric pattern of the twelve pointed star could serve as the
template for the social organization of any space. I spent the entire 6 week studio trying to unlock the
mystery of this twelve pointed star. No matter how I manipulated the star the plan view of my design
ended up looking like some kind of elementary kaleidoscope. Slowly, I grew to hate that star. Ron kept
pushing. “It’s the perfect form,” he exclaimed. “You just need to spend more time until it reveals itself.”
It was as if some kind of all-knowing design Yoda was imparting great knowledge to me if only I were
patient enough to wait for it. I pressed on.
Finally, after weeks of crumbling up trace paper and slinging it into the trash can everything clicked. The
hard edges of the twelve pointed star wore away until the components of the garden, connecting trail,
promenade, church and parking lot fell into place. The space had become what it was supposed to be
and the hard work was over. “That’s it” I said out loud breathing a sigh and sliding my heavy drafting
pencil across the trace paper. Hani, the Israeli grad student and only other person in the studio at 3am
walked to my desk, leaned over my shoulder, nodded and said “nice job.”
That’s the first time I felt like I “got it” regarding design. Every space no matter how difficult or
challenging had a solution if only the right effort and energy were applied to it. To this day I don’t
know if Ron truly believed in the twelve pointed star or if he just challenged me with it for his own
amusement. Regardless, the process turned out to be a huge first step that greatly altered my approach
to design. I was no longer intimidated by the blank page and could now approach every design as a
challenge that had its own unique solution. It also fostered in me an immense degree of respect and
admiration for others who choose to roll up their sleeves and plow in the design field.
12
At the end of the studio Ron asked me what my plans were after school and I told him I planned to move
back to Alaska to be a landscape architect. He looked at me with a face that can only be described as the
way one might look if he were to unexpectedly step in fresh dog poo with a bare foot. “I’ve never heard
of anything so preposterous in all of my life” he said. “Think of all of the plants you’re depriving yourself
of,” he said shaking his head. “Yeah,” but at least I’ve got the twelve pointed star,” I said shrugging
my shoulders. Ron flashed a grin, raised an eyebrow and nodded his head, before he turned and
disapprovingly muttered under his breath “Alaska.”
Thirteen years later I’m still met with the same kind of reaction, “Alaska.” The truth is I couldn’t think of
a better place to be. As landscape designers and architects we’re always looking to the land and spaces
that surround us as inspiration. From the outside eye it would appear that we have mountains, rivers,
and valleys without end, but in truth these spaces are just as fragile as any other and as landscape
architects we’re poised to act as stewards and protectors of what Alaska has to offer.
Ultimately, be it the Butte or the Bahamas people seek beautiful and healthy spaces to enhance their
lives. I was hiking with a friend of mine in the mountains and struggling with the limitations of being an
LA in Alaska when he rather simply stated, “it doesn’t matter where you are. Just give a person a view,
a bench to sit on with a beautiful tree beside it and they’ll feel better.” Sometimes it’s that’s simple.
Sometimes it’s as complicated as the twelve pointed star. Even though the design is never finished and
there’s never enough time we must continually strive for the perfect solution. In my opinion there’s no
better place to strive for that goal than Alaska.
A Message from the VP Interior
Eliza Cink
The profession of Landscape Architecture can be traced back to many roots: gardening, engineering,
city planning, and architecture among others. In school we touch on subjects that range from ecology,
water systems, horticulture, and engineering to design and sociology. In a world of ever increasing
specialization, we are taught to be the jacks of all trades. This has put our profession in the unique role
of interpreters. Since we can speak in the language of both design and science, we can easily converse
with the many disciplines with whom our work is intertwined.
In fact, I would argue that our ability to communicate and to interpret is one of the greatest asset of our
profession.
So far in my career I have found that it is this aspect of my skills that most attracts employees, and it is
the one I use with the most frequency in my daily work. It was my desire to improve on this particular
skill that made me choose to take Arctic Engineering over Northern Design as part of my licensing
requirement. Although both classes offer general knowledge of the concerns associated with building
in our climate, they do so through a different lens and in a different language. So far, getting even more
familiar with the language of engineers, such as learning to talk in BTU-hours or thinking about snow in
terms of its heat resistance, has proven to be as valuable as the subject matter itself.
Ideally, we would all have the time to take both courses (whether for the first time or as refreshers), but
when that proves impractical, I’d like to suggest that we take not the course we are more comfortable
in, but the one that teaches us a language we are not as comfortable in.
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Kachemak Bay Water Trail Project
Receives 2015 Project Excellence Award
Jonny Hayes
In exciting news, the Alaska Chapter ASLA, in
partnership with the Kachemak Bay Water
Trail Association (KBWTA) and the National
Park Service Alaska Region Rivers, Trails and
Conservation Assistance (NPS-RTCA) program
is happy to announce that the Kachemak Bay
Water Trail has been selected to receive a 2015
Project Excellence Award from the Society of
Outdoor Recreation Professionals.
The Kachemak Bay Water Trail is a 125-mile
water trail that inspires exploration and wise
stewardship of the natural treasure that is
Kachemak Bay. It extends from Homer, north to
the head of the Bay and back along the south
side to Seldovia.
For more information about the Kachemak Bay
Water Trail, and to plan your own visit, see the
Bryan Hawkins, Homer Port and Harbor Director (left), Julie
Engebretson, Homer Deputy City Planner (behind), Jonny Hayes, Alaska trail website at http://www.kachemakbaywatertrail.org/
Chapter ASLA (center) and Angie Otteson, Homer Parks Coordinator
(right) develop layout concepts for the Homer Launch Site. Photo:NPS
Creating the water trail was a true collaborative process. It began in 2011,
when Dave Brann, a Homer trails advocate, came up with the idea of a water
trail connecting communities around Kachemak Bay. Dave rallied others and
soon established a committee of ten enthusiastic community volunteers to
lead the planning process. Recognizing that it would be a major undertaking
and additional expertise was needed, the KBWTA committee and NPS-RTCA
approached the Alaska Chapter ASLA and multiple other entities for project
assistance and help throughout the three year planning process.
Alaska Chapter members Jonny Hayes and Mark Kimerer volunteered
time throughout the process to assist in developing the water trail icon
and branding material, served as advisors on the website development
committee, and lead a design charrette for the Homer launch site master plan
with the City of Homer, area stakeholders and KBWTA committee members.
Pat Pourchot, Special Assistant
to the Secretary of the Interior
for Alaska Affairs (left) and
Dave Brann (right) celebrate the
Kachemak Bay Water Trail ribbon
cutting with RTCA’s Heather Rice
(left) and Lisa Holzapfel (right).
Photo:NPS
Multiple other entities and individuals were instrumental in making the
Kachemak Bay Water Trail a reality, including: the Cities of Homer and Seldovia and associated parks
and recreation committees, Homer and Seldovia Chambers of Commerce, Alaska State Parks, Kachemak
Bay Wooden Boat Society, Kenai Peninsula Borough, NOAA – National Ocean Service/Kasitsna Bay
Laboratory, Alaska Trails, Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Friends of Kachemak
Bay State Park.
On June 6, 2014, two ribbon cutting ceremonies, one in Homer and one in Seldovia, inaugurated the
Kachemak Bay Water Trail. At each site, a brass plaque was unveiled commemorating the trail as a
Department of the Interior’s America’s Great Outdoors project.
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Of the value of collaboration and partnerships, Dave Brann said: “Ideas are just ideas until people,
organizations and agencies come together in partnership to make something great happen. The power
of a partnership is demonstrated in the realization of the Kachemak Bay Water Trail.”
The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals is the nation’s leading association of outdoor recreation
and related professionals. Michael Bradley, SORP Awards Committee Chair, wrote, “Each year, the
SORP Board of Directors presents this prestigious award to select individuals and/or planning teams
contributing to exemplary outdoor recreation projects. SORP believes the efforts by the Kachemak Bay
Water Trail Association for the Kachemak Bay Water Trail is worthy of recognition.” The award will be
formally presented at the National Outdoor Recreation Conference on April 14, 2015.
PARK(ing) Day
Oona Martin
As many of you may know, ASLA Alaska Chapter participated - nay - celebrated Park(ing) Day on Friday,
September 19th. The park was a group effort, tri-hosted by Anchorage Parks Foundation, ASLA Alaska Chapter and
Anchorage Parks and Rec. We set up in 12 parking spots in the lot behind City Hall. Since I was
fortunate enough to be involved in the planning and set-up, and I wanted to take a minute and
recognize a few people. First of all, a huge thank you to Holly Spoth-Torres who volunteered to take on the project and who
negotiated the parking spaces and explained the concept to City Hall management; to Josh Durand for
his commitment to a vision for the space and to Maeve Nevins, Stephen Rafuse and Randy for making it
happen (signs, tents, flyers and more.) Special thanks to Ted Johnson of Parks and Rec. maintenance for
coordinating the heavy lifting and to the maintenance crews who were on-site early in the rain with 7
beautiful, hefty picnic tables and a bench, 12 rolls of artificial turf and several heavy, vintage signs. And
to the 2 man crew who assisted me in transporting the plants to and from the site. Photo courtesy of Corvus Design
The plants, a large and beautiful selection of trees, shrubs and perennials were on loan from Polar
Supply, who were just fantastic to work with. We would like to acknowledge Randy Johnson, Ed Gross
and Bladimiro Rosales of Polar Supply for their time and attention to the project. And of course, to Jess
Rude of Anchorage Parks Foundation for setting up the 3 food trucks; Urban bamboo, Arctic Provisions
and 'The Truck'. to Beth Nordland for being the face of parking day and wearing such a fantastic hat. To
Bree Kessler of UAA for making Park(ing) day a real thing. THANK YOU to all!
Alaska Dispatch released a VIDEO on Saturday. Watch for cameos of L.A's :) and friends - Deb and
George of Side Street were important participants. I'm particularly fond of the end of the video: see
Josh overlooking the park proudly. Intrinsic Landscapes mini-park was stunning. Amazing work! And if
you haven't seen the photos on Facebook yet, Corvus Design did an incredible job, setting up parks on
5th avenue and downtown Juneau - they even had an interview with FOX promoting the event. Great
work Peter Briggs, Kevin Doniere, and Chris Mertl and all who helped you leading up to the event. 15
Juneau Waterfront Seawalk
Michele Elfers
Last summer, another section of the Juneau Waterfront was renovated and the seawalk extended south
of town to the Franklin Dock. The showcase element of this seawalk is a 190’ glass canopy with ceramic frit artwork designed by
Tlingit Master Carver Wayne Price entitled ‘Under Tlingit Sky’. The dark black and grey frit casts shadows of ravens, eagles, and designs inspired by bentwood boxes
and bentwood box drums on the timber seawalk and passerby’s below. Finally, Juneau can get out of
the rain!
The project also incorporated local cedar in the site furnishings, handrails and trim details throughout
the project. Locals and tourists can now walk from Marine Park to Franklin Dock along the waterfront
and get close to floatplane staging and take-off, cruise ships, the tram to Mt. Roberts, the Juneau
Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial, fishing boats unloading fish and workers sorting fish at Taku
Fisheries, luxury yacht and fishing boat docking at the Intermediate Vessel Float, shopping and eating
such as Tracy’s King Crab Shack, and lots of public art.
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Southeast Update
Michele Elfers
We have had an exciting year down here in sunny Southeast Alaska. It all began last spring with our
Garden Design Workshop. We had volunteers fly in from Anchorage and Sitka to help transform the
outdoor living experiences of 12 lucky individuals! Soon after, the ASLA president and his wife came to
Juneau for a short but busy visit. He presented the Greenbelt Award, ate king crab, learned the ins and
outs of the USFS in Alaska, and took lots of iconic Alaskan photos.
Our latest venture is working in the school systems to educate students and promote Landscape
Architecture as a career path.
Over the past year, I have been working with the AutoCAD class at Juneau Douglas High School. The
teacher incorporates the design process throughout the course by giving students projects to design
and then draft in AutoCAD. Past design and drafting
projects with the students have included a bus
shelter, a bench for the Juneau Seawalk, and a
neighborhood park design. The students begin the
design by working through the issues on paper and
then after their concepts are developed they move
to the computer. The first project was a bench for the seawalk. We
got some really creative ideas back and may be
able to build one or two of them with the kids. The
second project was a design for a neighborhood park
downtown. With the neighborhood park project
I was able to work with the students on the site
analysis process, programming, master planning,
and then long term management and maintenance
considerations for the park. Whenever working
with students, I always start with an overview of our
profession and all of the different applications such
as site design, environmental design, land planning,
sustainable design, grading and drainage, and design
detailing.
The ideas ranged from castles to a cascading series of trampolines to get up the hillside to quiet pools of
grass (because the students are desperate for grass in our rainy climate). I think I had more fun working
with this age group than they probably did working with me!
The Juneau group is also working on a Fruiting Forest neighborhood park design and installation. A
draft master plan is finished and posted on the AK ASLA website and we are planning a public meeting
in March and a phased construction plan over the season. Construction will be done through volunteer
work and donations, so it should be an appropriately homegrown project.
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ASLA Student Outreach Efforts
& Our Partnerships
by Kevin Doniere, ASLA Chair of Student Outreach Committee
The ASLA Alaska Chapter Student Outreach Program has become a strong partner
in the Anchorage Schools on Trails Program, which operates under the umbrella
of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation’s Live.Work.Play. campaign
and the Anchorage Trails Initiative. The partnership includes representatives of
the UAF Cooperative Extension Service, Anchorage School District, ASLA Alaska
Chapter, Anchorage Park Foundation, the National Park Service’s Rivers Trails and
Conservation Assistance Programs, and a growing list of community organizations
and individuals. All partners have relevant prior experience with similar projects.
The UAF Cooperative Extension Service offers one of the oldest and most diverse
youth development networks in the state, developing leadership and life skills in
youth to make healthy decisions and become better citizens. The Anchorage School
District is responsible for educating all students within the municipality. The Alaska
Chapter of the ASLA has worked to develop and mentor future design professionals, including our
recent work of mentoring students at over a dozen different schools throughout Alaska, in communities
including Anchorage, Juneau, Soldotna, and Ambler.
To focus our work and identify our purpose for working with students and schools, the Schools on Trails
team developed a vision and a mission.
Vision
Engage Anchorage schools in nearby trails, parks, streams and natural habitats to educate students
and staff about community assets and enrich neighborhoods through increased local awareness.
Establish connections with students and create opportunities to share in civic engagement,
participate in the project planning process, foster stewardship of our lands, and instill the value of
safe public spaces as a key component in the quality of life.
Mission
• Identify and raise awareness of trails, parks, streams and natural habitat near Anchorage schools
• Connect schools and families to these nearby public spaces and encourage outdoor educational
opportunities
• Engage staff and students in creation, planning and implementation of improvement projects
• Leverage school interest for project fundraising and long-term success
• Involve students in each step of the process as real-life lessons in civic engagement and project
management
• Provide continuing education incentives to school staff and other volunteers for professional
participation.
Through these efforts, the Schools on Trails team wrote and applied for two (2) APF Challenge Grants,
for a project with Nunaka Valley Elementary in Russian Jack Springs Park, and with West High School and
Romig Middle School at Westchester Lagoon Nature Trail. Both these projects were awarded matching
grant money for a combined total of over $60,000! Congratulations to all those involved in working
toward securing this funding.
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SO, if you’ve been asking how you can help Alaska Chapter Student Outreach efforts, now is the time to
jump in and take part. We’ll need members to provide time and support of these efforts by participating
in school visits; preparation of concept plans; documenting the school involvement process; and being
the lead designer working with students and teachers.
Currently, we have Alaska Chapter members working closely with two (2) different schools – Nunaka
Valley Elementary and Ravenwood Elementary in Eagle River. With Nunaka Valley Elementary School,
the Schools on Trails team organized a speed-dating night dubbed “Science in Seven.” Scientists,
database specialists, outdoor education, and outreach professionals from the NPS, USFS, US F&WS,
USGS, BLM, ADF&G, UAF, and the Alaska Heritage Museum participated by rotating from table to table
talking with teachers from each grade level for seven minutes. These brainstorming discussions were
compiled and are a resource database that we have to match up professionals in our community with
teachers interested in broadening their lesson plans and having these professionals help with mentoring
and developing our future workforce.
The Westchester Lagoon Nature Trail project is just beginning with an upcoming site visit with West
High School and Romig Middle School students. This project is focused on improvements for entry
signage, interpretive signage, construction of an outdoor learning lab and a
creek observation platform, public art installation columns and park bench
rehabilitation. All installations will be designed and constructed in accordance
with accepted standards of MOA Parks and Recreation Department.
In one of the most actively-used corridors of parkland in the Municipality,
Westchester Lagoon Nature Trail offers one of the only points of access to
Chester Creek from the neighborhood to the south–much of the western
greenbelt is accessible from the north side only. The Schools on Trails team
reached out to seven different schools nearby this park area and has several
project champions from both West High and Romig who will be actively
involved in these efforts.
From Inside ASD, “Ravenwood Students Help Plan Trail System”:
Ravenwood Elementary School is currently working on a grant to build an extensive
trail system around the school. ASD Health and PE Coordinator Melanie Sutton is
helping in this effort, along with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Rasmuson
Foundation. The proposed trail system fits right in with the school’s outdoor education
philosophy and would be well-used by both the school and the neighborhood
community. Last week, landscape architects worked with Ravenwood students to
design the trail system. Students have written about their dream outdoor education
trail and are now working to turn their ideas into a proposal.
Please feel free to contact myself or Jonny Hayes for more information of how you can get involved with
these Anchorage area projects or how you can be a part of our Schools on Trails team.
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Current Members List
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William Dwayne Adams, Jr., FASLA
Brianne Keifer, Associate ASLA
Monique Anderson, ASLA
Mark M. Kimerer, ASLA
Cameron J. Arizmendez, Associate ASLA
Ryan P. King, Associate ASLA
Mélisa R. K. Babb, ASLA
Edward Leonetti, ASLA
Eliza Bober Cink, Associate ASLA
Susan Luescher, ASLA
Leah Boltz, Affiliate ASLA
Raymond Mariani, ASLA
Peter D. Briggs, ASLA
Oona Martin, ASLA
Benjamin Brown, ASLA
Christopher Mertl, ASLA
Stephanie E. Brown, ASLA
Nevenka Milic, ASLA
Leah Buron, Associate ASLA
Kenneth V. Morton, ASLA
Steven Callaghan, ASLA
Maeve Victoria Nevins, ASLA
Beth Lape Casagrande, Affiliate ASLA
Eric K. Ouderkirk, ASLA
Nancy J. Casey, ASLA
Kenneth Pendleton, ASLA
Maria D’Augustino, Affiliate ASLA
Sanford P. Rabinowitch, ASLA
Tamás Deak, ASLA
Ralph R. Rentz, ASLA
Kevin M. Doniere, ASLA
John R. Rowe, ASLA
Joshua A. Durand, ASLA
Lori Eddie Schanche, ASLA
Michele Elfers, ASLA
Gordon J. Schlosser, ASLA
William L. Evans, II, ASLA
Terry Schoenthal, ASLA
Jonathan Hayes, ASLA
Paul L. Schrooten, ASLA
Joshua Hooker, ASLA
Holly J. Spoth-Torres, ASLA
Bud Hooker, ASLA
Skye Stekoll, ASLA
Brent Hove, ASLA
Chad D. Taylor, ASLA
M. Elise Huggins, FASLA
Ronald L. Wood, ASLA
Sponsorship Program
Over the past three years the Alaska Chapter of ASLA sponsorship program has grown into a significant
budget contributor for the chapter. Currently the program includes six local and national businesses
and three local firms, all committed to working with and supporting Alaskan landscape architects. Their
sponsorship helps our chapter advance our mission, to increase awareness of landscape architecture
through advocacy and public outreach.
In 2014 the sponsorship program helped support our Student Outreach Program and the college
scholarship fund. For 2015, the sponsorship program will continue to support existing programs while
also contributing to professional educational opportunities and public outreach efforts across the state.
We’d like to give a huge thank our current Corporate and Firm Sponsors!
Current Sponsors
Birch: Victor Stanley
Spruce: Alaska Architectural Lighting Inc., Landscape Forms, Site Lines
Fireweed: Anova
Fern: Polar Supply
Firm Sponsors: DOWL, Bettisworth North, Corvus Design
Sponsorship can be at five different monetary levels: birch, spruce, fireweed, fern, and salmonberry, and
there is also a special 'firm' sponsorship for firms licensed to practice landscape architecture in Alaska.
If you would like to know more about the sponsorship program, please contact members-at-large
Monique Anderson (andersonlandplanning@gmail.com), or Stephanie Brown (SBrown@corvus-design.
com). We look forward to developing the program in creative ways so that sponsors get the most out of
their support.
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