Events
Groundwork: Conversations on Disaster Recovery
When disaster strikes, recovery is more than rebuilding—it’s a journey shaped by experience, resilience, and dslessons learned along the way. These four regionally focused forums are opportunities for ASLA members to come together, share their stories, and talk openly about what worked, what didn’t, and what still needs to be done.
Explore the Regions
These discussions bring together members who have lived through wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and other disasters to reflect on challenges, exchange ideas, and explore ways to build stronger, more adaptable communities. These conversations will be real, interactive, peer-driven discussions hosted by ASLA President Kona Gray, FASLA, PLA.
A mix of practitioners involved in recovery efforts and chapter leaders from each region will share their stories, disaster impacts, and community responses. They will delve into how landscape architects alongside the architecture, engineering and construction industries, elected leaders and all members of their communities worked together in the response, recovery, and rebuilding process.
Through these discussions, ASLA hopes to better understand how to support its members in navigating recovery and resilience.
- Regional Focus: Each session centers on the unique challenges and recovery efforts in a specific part of the country.
- Exclusive to ASLA Members: These forums are designed specifically for ASLA members to connect, share, and support one another.
- Live Polls & Q&A: Engage with panelists, contribute your insights, and help shape the conversation.
Join the conversation. Share your story. Help shape the future of resilient communities.
Southeast Region
Hosted by ASLA President Kona Gray, FASLA, on March 18, 2025, The first Groundwork: Conversations on Disaster Recovery forum focused on the Southeast, where hurricanes, flooding, and sea-level rise have reshaped communities and coastlines. Landscape architects shared powerful stories and practical strategies for navigating early recovery, rebuilding with purpose, and preparing for a more resilient future.
Download the a summary of Groundwork: Southeast.
Northwest/Southwest/Hawai‘i/Alaska Region
The second Groundwork: Conversations on Disaster Recovery forum, held on April 8, 2025, explored the Northwest, Southwest, Hawai‘i, and Alaska. These regions that have faced devastating wildfires, extreme heat, powerful storms, and rapid environmental change. ASLA President Kona Gray, FASLA, led the discussion where landscape architects from across the West shared hard-won insights on recovery, resilience, and designing for a shifting climate.
Video replay and synopsis coming soon.