LABash, the landscape architecture conference for students, by students, was held March 12-15 at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Fun Fact: The University of Guelph is where the very first LABash was hosted in 1970. After more than a year of planning, a team of 11 student leaders led my Faline Darling, Student ASLA, and Sharya Bhajan, Student ASLA, hosted quite a successful conference with 466 attendees made up of 260 students and 206 Professionals. 86 speakers presented in 45 education sessions, ten workshops, and three field sessions. The Expo had representatives from 39 companies, firms, universities, and non-profits engaging with the future of the landscape architecture profession. 

Toronto, Canada/photo by LABash 

Attendees kicked off the conference with an inspiring walking tour along Toronto’s waterfront, where design meets nature. Led by the very designers who shaped these spaces, the exclusive tour offered behind-the-scenes insights into the creative vision and innovative landscape strategies behind some of Toronto’s most beloved waterfront sites. Other highlights included four keynotes from Naomi Ratte, Co-Chair of CSLA’s Reconciliation Advisory Committee; Matt Williams, Principal at O2 Planning & Design; Virginia Burt, Principal at Virginia Burt Designs; and Tom Ryan, FASLA, Principal at Ryan Associates. ASLA President Kona Gray, FASLA and CEO Torey Carter-Conneen also spoke at the general sessions.

Guelph, Ontario, Canada/photos by LABash 

Students also got the unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at manufacturing factories on the “How It’s Made Tours” that took attendees to Earthscape, Green Theory, and Hauser where they got to watch products come to life through the custom manufacturing process for site furnishings and play equipment. Other highlights included a Computational Design Literacy workshop with Chris Landau, Affiliate ASLA; a walking workshop on Accessibility into Practice led by Julie Sawchuk and Mike Greer; and a sketching workshop with Brad Smith. 

Guelph, Ontario, Canada/photos by LABash 

Throughout the three-day conference, students had the opportunity to attend education sessions covering topics that fell under the conference tracks: Climate, Access & Inclusion, Tech & AI, Nature Based, Pre-Professional, and Creative Design. The conference came to a close during the Closing Ceremony which took place at the very-Canadian Sleeman Centre hockey facility with a fun-filled night of music, dancing, and the traditional passing of the Permaloc Cup.