[Barbara Peterson]

Bob, Andrew, Tim,
I apologize, I am “a little” late in my reply: thank you all for your helpful advice! Very much appreciated.

[Barbara Peterson]

Hi Catherine,
I literally just saw your post yesterday and like you, am surprised that no female LA’s replied. I also see that you have moved to another firm: seems to have been a wise move.
‘Yes’, female friends of mine (me included) have experienced either overt or subtle sexism or ageism during our careers. We vary in how we address it … that is, what we say and do. Therefore, there is no one right answer.
So as far as advice, I wish that I had something deep or profound to give you … I don’t … but you are right in saying that learning, experience, and attitude are key.
The LARE, though, will not solve these problems. That said, DO get your license and find someone that you respect to be your mentor. Also, focus in an area that you like… become “that” expert. And ask contractors questions BUT also explain why your plan or detail is important as shown esp. when it may reflect a new way of doing things.
Also, this is not about “old men”. You will have support from “older” men, and you will have disrespect from “younger” men or “older” or “younger” women. It’s about perceived status. So, yeah, don’t take it personally. If you do, your work relationships with other colleagues, contractors, even projects will be negatively affected.
And finally, join female ASLA or AIA networking groups. These groups are not “complaint groups” but instead provide networking opportunities as well as support, advice, and learning.
See: nothing deep or profound but hopefully a bit of support.
Good luck and keep doing “your thing”.

[Barbara Peterson]

Excellent replies. Additional information in lines with Robert and Rob:

1. The tree is not necessarily planted at the correct depth. Without removing the burlap, the contractor could not have adequately checked the location of the root flare.  Quite often, you’ll find several inches of soil between the root flare and the burlap. So by assuming that the flare is just ‘under’ the burlap and not verifying, the flare is installed below the adjacent finished grade…too low.  I carry a surveyor spike on site visits. When I don’t see a tree’s root flare, I use the spike to poke around the base of the tree to locate the flare. I note every tree that has been planted to low or that still has the burlap or wire on it on the site report with a clarification on why the installation is not correct.

2. The burlap and wire do not degrade. I have seen numerous B&B trees that have been installed 10+ years ago where the trunk has grown around / over the burlap, twine, and/or wire cage. 

I have attached two photos. In the first image (018.jpg), you can see the rusty wire cage. I would estimate the original work to have been done 15+ years years ago (based on building style). I pulled and tugged at the wire and even tried garden shires (no wire cutters in my trunk)…it did not break.  In the second image (079.jpg), the straps are clearly visible. The tree has grown around the straps as opposed to “popping them”.

I am disappointed when I see trees left this way because tree health is compromised and the Owner is not getting what they paid for. I can only assume (hope) that this type of installation is a result of CA not being included in the project scope or that the Owner or Architect approved the installation. (I have sadly been on projects where my site visit comments were disregarded because the project completion date / opening was “more important”.)

[Barbara Peterson]

Agreed. I am not suggesting recruiting. I do not like recruiting or attempts to convince people to enter any particular field. I agree that trying to “sell” someone on any profession does both that person and the industry a disservice.

But I do not believe that talking to young people and adults or answering questions about the profession is the same as recruiting. Talking to interested people clarifies what we do beyond “diagnosing lawn problems”, “changing poinsettias in the mall”, and “planting bushes and pretty flowers” (each of which I’ve been asked about when I replied to someone that I was an LA). And helping a scout earn a merit badge or an Eagle or Gold project will not “convert” them to wanna-be landscape architects nor will talking to high school students already in an architecture program nor will putting a small presentation together or wearing a button during April.

With regard to the last three suggestions: opening conferences to interested high school students or lectures are ways to engage interested or curious persons that have questions not to pull in people with no interest.

[Barbara Peterson]

I have seen this more frequently than I would want to here in the Dallas area. It is generally used in residential settings but I have seen it a couple of times in commercial settings. The problem is that the bed prep has been installed at or above the height of the adjacent walk (ie the bed is slightly bermed “in the center”) and then mulch is added on top resulting in wash out during rain events.

Try lowering the elevation bed slightly to accommodate the mulch so that it is more flush with the walk once installed. 

[Barbara Peterson]

I would recommend taking some time out to work.

The MLA program that I completed (and ones that a few of my friends had) (whether a thesis or non-thesis program) required you prepare a “final study project”. Unless you are sure of what you want to do for such a “final study”, I would recommend working with a firm to gain overall experience and potentially narrow down your “interest”.

Or you may find that you don’t actually need an MLA.

[Barbara Peterson]

Fabulous: I had not seen the mags that you referenced but just checked their websites. I will definitely send the links to my friend.  Thank you.

[Barbara Peterson]

ASLA (local, state and national) should do a better job at marketing LA but so should each of us. Remember, ASLA is made of people and if you are a member, you can suggest activities….

What have you done to “spread the word” beyond clients:

1. Have you signed up to be a Landscape Architecture merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts?   (http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges/mb-LAND.aspx ),

You don’t need to be a scout leader or have a child in scouting to be a merit badge counselor. It’s easy: go to your local BSA council and ask for a registration form to be a merit badge counselor; take the BSA on-line Youth Protection class (about 30 minutes); turn in your paperwork and your Youth Protection certificate; check back on your approval; contact local scout unit(s) to let them know that you are available to teach the LA MB. Put together a presentation that covers the diversity of the profession, and cover the merit badge requirements. The merit badge booklet is written by LA’s so can be used as a guideline if you are unsure where to start. The merit badge can be completed in a day or two days so the commitment is not huge.

2. Have you talked to your local Girl Scout troop(s) to see if someone working on their Gold Award (comparable to the BSA Eagle Scout) needs mentoring from an LA.  Or can you put a presentation and badge together about Landscape Architecture: GS allows you to “make your own badge”.

3. Have you checked with local high schools to see if they have a design, architecture, or engineering program where you might help or speak?

Our school district has an architecture and engineering career path where students can take one architecture (or engineering) 2-hour studio each year. Would you be willing to speak or serve on project juries?

Would you serve on a high school Professional Advisory Committee?  Our committee helps review teaching requirements, makes connections with “the real world”, looks for speakers / mentors / internship opportunities, etc. Members include architects, a landscape architect, an accessibility specialist, a civil engineer, a general contractor, a landscape contractor, an owner of a drafting supply store, and a CAD instructor.

4. Have you checked with your local school district to see if the high schools (or middle schools) have “career days”…not a “give-me-your-resume-we’re-hiring” day but a day when professional organizations set up a booth and answer questions about the profession? Would you have a few hours to volunteer at a booth for ASLA or Landscape Architecture?

5. Have you done “something” during April’s National Landscape Architecture month?

Could you maybe get a few LA’s together for a series of 30-45 minute presentations at a local library? Were topics are relevant to the area ie “What is Landscape Architecture”, “How to select the right designer for your residence”, “Why complete streets are important”, “Urban wildlife: how good design can minimize human / wildlife conflicts”, “How storm runoff can be turned into an asset for your neighborhood”, “Increasing outdoor play opportunities in a dense urban setting”…”whatever”?

6. Have you worn the “Ask Me about Landscape Architecture” button during April? Or have you handed out any of the ASLA provided public awareness information: http://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=33629 ?

 

Now, with regard to ASLA: yes, I agree, they could definitely do more.

1. Why are there no public service announcements about Landscape Architecture from ASLA?

I recall hearing a fabulous PSA on the radio…bird chirping, people having fun, talk of Central Park, mention of Fredrick Law Olmsted as the designer…  I was happy that ASLA had put out such a nice PSA…until the end….(summarized) Central Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who was an urban planner; planners design the outdoor spaces that people enjoy; if you want a nice outdoor space contact your local APA chapter or to learn more check out the American Planning Association website at… What, what, what??? How could that not have been for Landscape Architects or from the ASLA??  

Surprisingly (or should I say disappointingly), I have yet to hear a PSA about Landscape Architecture. I think that the folks at the national level are missing an important opportunity.  Heck, look at APA: they have a nice set of announcements (https://www.planning.org/ncpm/psa/ ). I’ve heard a couple of them on the radio…why don’t “we” have PSA’s?  

2. How many state or local chapters host a reception during the school year for high school students and local LA firms?

Why high school students? Because they are thinking about what they will study in college and what they want to “do for the rest of their life”. If they don’t know what LA is or have any connections, why not provide that opportunity to them?

3. Why don’t the local chapters have design lectures?

The Dallas Architecture Forum (http://www.dallasarchitectureforum.org/ ) has a nice series of lectures from interesting architects. Why don’t ASLA local chapters have something similar that could cover the diversity of the profession?

 

Anyway, just some thoughts.

[Barbara Peterson]

Thanks to all: very helpful info.

[Barbara Peterson]

I’m curious: what ‘brought’ you into environmental sciences in the first place? You say that you want a career involving sustainability and design but was it a love of the outdoors, a desire to “do something good in the world”, or “what”? Perhaps by reflecting on your free time interests, you may narrow down which route would be best for you.

It’s “funny”, I am putting together a presentation about “what is landscape architecture” for my son’s 9th grade architecture course and asked other LA’s on why those chose the field. There were lots of different reasons but several mentioned that they chose the field because it “involved everything outside the building” and that it addressed all of a person’s senses. No one has mentioned that they specifically wanted to work on sustainable projects but interestingly most (if not all) of them do even those doing residential design: they “push” native or low-water adapted plants, reduction in turf areas, changes in irrigation methods, installation of bioswales, use of permeable paving, use of recycled materials, etc; a couple are LEED certified and one is working on her LID certification.

I can’t speak to interior design or urban planning but I have found that landscape architecture is a very diverse and interesting field. What works or doesn’t work for one person, might not be right for another. Are there long hours: yes. Are you going to have annoying clients or contractors: yes. Are you going to get “rich”: no, but then I honestly don’t know anyone who got into the field thinking that they would. Will you have annoying, frustrating days where you just “want out”: yeah…but I’m sure that every profession has that (at least according to my non-design field friends).

Have you contacted any LA firms in your area and stopped by to talk?  If not, do that: look on their websites to see what types of projects they highlight, and visit those firms whose projects align with your interests.  Bring a “list” of question so that you can gear the conversation toward your interest in sustainability. Yes, they will probably only show you the positive, fun side of projects / the field, so take some of the enthusiasm with a grain of salt…but enjoy the visit and ask lots of questions.

[Barbara Peterson]

Thanks. I’ll keep an eye out this summer.

[Barbara Peterson]

Agreed. But in this case, “we” need to do a “ton” of scanning of older, needed documents that were never in a pdf format, and if we sent them out for scanning, we could have paid multi-fold for a printer or two. 

[Barbara Peterson]

I like the use of gator bags…when they can be monitored.

For example: last year, I installed them on around several trees at a property where someone had turned ‘off’ the irrigation system despite the severe summer drought. In addition to adjusting the system to it’s regular 2 week watering cycle (native plants), I added bags to the trees in distress (8) and filled them daily and then every other day for about 2 weeks. The benefit: the shrubs in the beds did not suffer due to the extra watering needed to save the trees (water was specifically applied where it needed), and I could add liquid nutrients to the bags.  The downside: time and ants….fire ants love pulling their mound up between the bags and the tree trunk – to alleviate this, I had to lift and “adjust” the bags each day and “hook” them on a low limb when they were not filled. Time: the filling and adjusting took just over an hour…..  (Yes, the trees made a quick comeback and are doing well this summer.)

[Barbara Peterson]

http://www.asla.org/land/LandArticle.aspx?id=42809

This article just came in: a conference in May in Seoul, Korea.

[Barbara Peterson]

http://www.asla.org/conferencesforlas.aspx#Apr14

Several conferences that you may be interested in if you haven’t already found “one” to attend.

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