News Releases

John H. Nicolaus, ASLA

A partner at one of California's largest landscape architecture and planning firms, John has been at HLA for 14 years. He co-manages a staff of more than 40, with projects throughout California and the West. As principal, John's responsibilities include project and client development, landscape master planning and design, community-based planning and design, project and consultant team management, construction documentation, and construction administration.

John has a strong appreciation for the values of neighborhood and community building. He is committed to the community-based planning process, and is skilled at consensus building. This approach applies to his volunteer work as an advocate for sensible growth and sound planning.

John has considerable leadership experience on community and professional boards. Within ASLA, John has served as president of the Sierra Chapter and as ASLA trustee. Nationally, John currently chairs the Public Relations Advisory Committee, and has served on the Government Affairs Committee (2000-01) and Nominating Committee (1998-99).

Within the community John leads by example, committing time and talent first, then coalescing with others to do the same. As a board member of the Sacramento Tree Foundation (current treasurer, past president), he led the effort to plant one million shade trees over the past decade. Other organizations benefiting from his leadership include the Urban Land Institute (Sacramento District Council Membership Committee) and the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (Art in Public Places Consultant). He helped an international nonprofit establish a World Peace Rose Garden within California's State Capitol Park. In addition to interfacing with multiple state agencies, John planned the garden and obtained pro bono services for environmental documentation, architecture, visual simulation, fire safety, and electrical engineering.

John is committed to facilitating effective communication within ASLA and with the general public, emphasizing the value of ASLA and the benefits landscape architects add to the built environment.

The HLA Group, Landscape Architects & Planners, Sacramento, California
Education: 1985, BS Landscape Architecture, Cal Poly Pomona
Licensure: California #3266

Professional Awards
ASLA Merit Award, 1999, UC Davis Medical Center Urban Wildlife
Preserve California Redevelopment Association, Award of Excellence, 2002, River Walk Park