April 2008 Newsletter

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Information sharing and science are constantly revealing new information at a rapid pace about our global ecosystems. What do landscape architects need to know to be leaders in the 21st century and adapt our practices to respond to this evolving
more>>

Sustainable Design and Development PPN Update
2007 was an exciting year. The Sustainable Designand Development Professional Practice Network (SDDPPN) membership grew to over 1200, we launchedthe e communities network to facilitate discussion andinformation sharing on your schedule and not in youremail, we continued to participate in
more>>

What is the E-communities Network
Last year ASLA launched the e communities networkas a members only interactive web based community.The SDD was one of the first to launch its site. With ourmembership having grown to over 1,000 at that point,the SDD email list was not
more>>

Sustainable Sites Initiative Update
The SDD PPN continues to collaborate with and supportthe Sustainable Sites Initiative (SSI). Here are a few keyupdates, but make sure to visit the SSI web page formore information www.sustainablesites.org.The SSI released the Preliminary Report on Standardsand Guidelines November 1,
more>>

Landscape Architects and Engineers Working Together to Deliver the World's Largest Sustainable Park
The Orange County Great Park (Great Park) (http://www.ocgp.org/) in Irvine, CA is moving forward rapidly with plans for the largest sustainable park yet, encompassing 1,347 acres of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. The park aims to serve as a model, “demonstrating the best sustainable practices today so that everyone visiting the park can discover the joy of environmental and cultural stewardship.”
more>>

Living Systems Innovative Materials and Technologies for Landscape
Living Systems presents a fresh look at landscape systems through a descriptive and illustrative categorization of innovative materials and technologies. This look emanates out of material and technology performance criteria from the perspective of natural systems, such as exchange, flow,
more>>

Tips and Information
Are you familiar with the terms Ecosystem Services or Natural Capital? Do you want to learn more? • Visit the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics home page www.uvm.edu giee • Read the seminal paper, “The value of the world's ecosystem
more>>