News
The Recreation Boom Is Real; the Missing Piece Is Getting Around Without a Car
Rural towns are making a strategic pivot: build an outdoor recreation economy that can steady local livelihoods when extractive industries swing from boom to bust. In Utah, places like Vernal and Richfield are investing in new experiences—mountain bike and off-highway vehicle networks, events, and destination anchors like the Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata—to bring visitors in and keep dollars circulating closer to home. The national context is just as striking: outdoor recreation contributed $1.3 trillion to U.S. GDP in 2024 and supported 5.2 million jobs. But economically healthy communities need more than recreation. People want to move around safely and efficiently once they arrive. The outdoor economy is about destinations—and active transportation. Rather than encouraging a car-centric app...Read More
Reflecting Pool Protests
What changes on the National Mall say about preservation vs renovation The Reflecting Pool “is one of the most iconic structures in the United States, and is an integral part of ‘one of the important axes in the nation, one that aligns several key national symbols including the U.S. Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial,‘” according to a complaint filed by The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF). TCLF has sued the U.S. Department of the Interior, claiming the current application of blue paint to the basin of the Reflecting Pool is being done in violation of federal law. The Reflecting Pool holds profound historic significance, serving as the staging area for marches on Washington, the Pentagon, and many inaugurations. Today, t...Read More
How to Hack the ASLA 2026 Education Schedule for Real-World ROI
Let’s be honest: At a conference as big as ASLA, the “analysis paralysis” is real. Between the field sessions, the EXPO floor, and a massive list of education sessions, it’s easy to end up with a schedule that looks more like a random collection of cool topics than a strategic plan for your career. But if you want to turn your time in Los Angeles this September into a practice upgrade you can use on Monday, you have to go in with a “Monday morning” mindset. Whether you’re an early-career landscape architect, a seasoned firm owner, or an allied pro (looking at you, architects, arborists, and contractors), here is how to hack the conference’s education sessions to get the most value for your specific vibe. 1) The “Early-Career Accelerator” Track If you’re ...Read More
News You Can Mulch
Between tending to clients and designing site plans, to keeping up with professional development trends, it’s easy to lose track of the latest industry news. That’s why we rake the internet for the freshest information relating to landscape architecture, planning, gardening, and more–all for busy landscape architects and industry partners. Starting at Harvard and Falling for Your First Tree At Harvard, students are gathering wisdom from surprising mentors—trees. Why This Stairway That Would Connect SF Neighborhoods Has Been Unfinished for 10 Years Read why residents of Dogpatch and Potrero Hill say a completed outdoor stairway would be heaven. Here Are All 2026 Team USA Olympians With “Normal” Jobs While we feel accomplished when we reach our daily 10,000 steps, landscape archi...Read More
News You Can Mulch
Between tending to clients and designing site plans, to keeping up with professional development trends, it’s easy to lose track of the latest industry news. That’s why we rake the internet for the freshest information relating to landscape architecture, planning, gardening, and more–all for busy landscape architects and industry partners. Here’s the latest for the week of December 15, 2025. → Rare Talipot palm bloom continues in Rio as trees near end of life In a park in Brazil, several decades-old trees bloom simultaneously for the first and only time. → The Bay Area neighborhood most vulnerable to sea level rise is also sinking: “A right now problem” See how one California community is seeking solutions to address sea level rise. → Hilton Hea...Read More