b'PRESIDENTS MESSAGELandscape Architects in the Fight Against the Climate CrisisBY STEVE BARNHARTI t is our privilege to share the fourth edition of theGovernment Relations: We continue to engage with both Ontario Association of Landscape Architects 2022/2023municipal and provincial public office holders to promote a Source Guide with our 2,000 members! PublishedLandscape Architect Practice Act. digitally and in print once a year, the guide serves as aMedia Coverage: We are raising the profile of the profession valuable resource of products and services in place forwith amazing coverage in specialized media including theprofession.Canadian Architect magazine, Canadian Consulting Engineer and BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR THE CLIMATE CRISIS MunicipalWorld.It has never been more evident how crucial the roleI would also like to encourage others to check out OALAs of landscape architects will be in the fight against theexcellent Ground magazine summer issue which features climate crisis. As severe storm events impact much ofan insightful roundtable discussion with six City Councillors the North American east coast, both the province and theacross the province moderated by OALA Councillor Shawn country have witnessed the importance of strategic landWatters. Mr. Watters himself was a candidate for mayor of his planning and resource management. As a profession,municipality of Centre Wellington, where he was a councillor landscape architects are both well-positioned and well- for five terms.prepared to provide critical thought leadership on this defining issue of our time.With the support of our industry peers, our members continue At the intersection of art and science, landscape architectsto raise these important issues with public office holders bring an integrated perspective to climate change. Whileto advocate for sustainable environmental solutions and conventional design solutions prove insufficient and ourultimately build communities where people want to live, work communities work towards understanding the changingand play.coastal conditions, we are presented with an opportunityENGAGED AND AMPLIFIEDfor landscape architects to engage with politicians and share their expertise amidst growing social, politicalIn the summer of 2021, OALA Council, key volunteer leaders and economic concerns. From flooding and biodiversityand the internal staff team worked on renewing the strategic loss prevention to local agricultural infrastructure andplan and shared a key insightnow more than ever, the ensuring that eating local is affordable, there are manyworld needs the contributions of landscape architects. They opportunities for landscape architects to influencealso noted a great appreciation for the many benefits of the action and ensure that public spaces are designed withpublic spaces that landscape architects design and OALAs communities in mind.strong operational foundation, thanks to the efforts of the Within this work, we also bear an important responsibilityassociations internal team and many dedicated volunteers.to advocate for climate justice by advising marginalizedFrom this place of opportunity, OALA is taking a bold step communities and working in non-traditional ways toforward with this aspirational five-year plan. The theme minimize the impact of climate change. At the OALAs 2022Engaged and Amplified speaks to the fact that the plan is 2GETHER conference, in partnership with the Ontariodesigned to help OALA and its membership engage powerfully Professional Planners Institute, we heard from keynotewith key decision makers, partners, allied professions and speaker Wanda Della Costa about the importance ofpublic stakeholdersand then amplify the benefits of those understanding ancient systems as solutions to modernconnections to create more value for all.crisis challenges. Moving forward, we must continue theThe plan contains five strategic intentions as well as the discussion of the climate crisis by offering ideas, designsdesired outcomes for each intention. All strategic intentions and assistance with creating programs that support theseare considered vital and equal when it comes to achieving communities.OALAs aspirations over the next five years and beyond. A OUR SUCCESSES AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE summary of the 2022-2026 OALA Strategic Plan: Engaged and As we look to the future, I am particularly proud to shareAmplified can be found on pages 12-13.three initiatives the association is working hard on. Yours truly, Professional Relations: We continue to raise our profile with our allies such as architects, engineers, planners and landscape designers to build inter- Steve Barnhart, OALA, CSLA professionalrelationships.President8 2022/23 OALA SOURCE GUIDE'