letter from the president
April is when Frederick Law Olmsted, popularly considered the father of landscape architecture, was born in 1822. April is when the whole world celebrates Earth Day since 1970. April is a windy month here in New Mexico, when the temperatures are warmer but a cold snap can smack you in the face to remind you that summer is not really here, yet. This year, April was officially declared Landscape Architecture Month by the State of New Mexico! View the official proclamation here.
So join us in a worldwide month-long celebration of landscape architecture and designed public and private spaces. WLAM (World Landscape Architecture Month) introduces our profession to the public by showcasing designed spaces around the world. Do you have a favorite park you like to go? A favorite courtyard where you like to relax? Snap a picture using this sweet blue “This is Landscape Architecture” card and post via social media using the official #WLAM2016. Find more information here or look up the #WLAM2016 tagboard to see how others celebrate.
I hope you were able to join us at our Q1 event, Multi-Modal Experience 2016! The purpose of the event was to educate and raise awareness of efforts around Albuquerque to improve transportation options for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit riders. There were short presentations in the morning on various topics regarding complete streets design, public transportation, including the proposed Albuquerque Rapid Transit system, safety at intersections, and an update from the county Sheriff’s Office bicycle patrol unit. The educational sessions were followed by a lunch and our popular multi-modal tour in the afternoon. We rode bikes, the Rail Runner, Rapid Ride bus, and we walked to Civic Plaza in downtown Albuquerque for an Earth Day celebration hosted by Downtown ABQ Mainstreet. HUGE thanks to the following for their sponsorship of this event: Anova Furnishings, Rain Bird, NM Complete Streets Leadership Team, APA-New Mexico, Ewing Irrigation, CiQlovia, and Mid-Region Council of Governments!
We have many exciting things planned for the summer. Check out our website, follow us on Facebook, and be sure you're signed up for our email blasts and newsletters - just fill out the form at the bottom of this page. If there is anything you would like to discuss with me regarding NMASLA or WLAM, do not hesitate to contact me. And as always, if you want to be more involved in our chapter, we would love to have you on board!
Let’s celebrate our profession this month!
Dekker/Perich/Sabatini is celebrating World Landscape Architecture Month by hanging hummingbird feeders, writing daily educational plant and pollinator cards, and even constructing a bee hotel.
D/P/S Bumble Inn is a bee-utiful home for native bees seeking safe habitat to create brood cells and store nectar and pollen for their larvae. The bee hotel is strategically placed on the corner of D/P/S’s deck to allow staff to watch for Red Mason, Blue Mason, and Leaf-Cutter Bees.
Bee hotels consist of a number of hollow tubes. They mimic the conditions suitable for native bees that nest above ground in stems and holes. The bees will create 'brood cells' or chambers in these hotels where they will place balls of nectar and pollen for their larvae to feed on. Native bees are solitary species that nest and raise their brood alone, except for the bumble bee. Solitary bees are different from European Honey bees and do not form large 'social' colonies.
Why protect bees? Honeybees and wild native bees pollinate approximately 75% of the fruits and vegetables grown in the US. We rely on bees to pollinate tomatoes, squash, plums, carrots, eggplant, melons, cotton, and much more. They are also important pollinators of native plants. Worryingly, many bee species are in decline, largely because of the loss of feeding and nesting habitats.
D/P/S wine bottles hummingbird feeders
Did you know that hummingbirds are important pollinators, visiting hundreds of flowers each day for nectar, but dispersing pollen as they move from flower to flower? Feeding hummingbirds is an easy, inexpensive and rewarding pastime. All you need is a feeder, table sugar, and water and you can hope to see any of the many native species drop by for a visit.
Native seed mixes for your own pollinator garden! A small envelope full of a native seed mix has been handed to D/PS/employees to start their own pollinator garden to support local bees and moths.
How is your office celebrating World Landscape Architecture Month? Send in photos and stories and join the conversation by using hashtags #WLAM2016 and #ThisIsLandscapeArchitecture.
Upcoming events
Tijeras Creek Remediation Project - Volunteer Work Party
Sunday, May 1st, 10am-4pm
Tour the entire project site and practice with the team!
Click here for more info.
A Century of Design in the Parks
June 21-23, in Santa Fe
Preserving the Built Environment in National and State Parks
Click here for more info.
National Association and Flood & Stormwater Management Agencies has announced two annual competitions: the 2016 Green Infrastructure Award and the 2016 Excellence in Communications Award Application. Both awards programs are open to all public agencies as well as private firms working with a public agency on a green infrastructure project or on communications efforts.
Link to more information and the applications can be found here: http://nafsma.org/content/green-infrastructure-awards-program-announced