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    February 2020  

    2020 OCASLA Strategic Planning Meeting

    The Ohio Chapter ASLA Board of Directors met on Friday, January 31st at the CML Dublin Branch for a day filled with discussing how to add even more value to our members and sponsors, promote initiatives that are important to the landscape architects of Ohio, and ways engage the future of our profession while in school. We are very excited and cannot wait for what 2020 has in store for the Ohio Chapter ASLA. 

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    2020 OCASLA Annual Meeting + Expo

    Join the Ohio Chapter of ASLA on Friday, May 15th at The Exchange at Bridge Park for one of the biggest Chapter gatherings of the year. 

    This year's meeting offers 3 Sessions and 1 Tour that are worth 6 HSW LACES CEUs. Our Vendor EXPO will be available to all registrants throughout the day, so come see what new products they are offering for 2020!

    Click here to register!

    Early Bird Fees (ends 03/06/2020)

    • Member Ticket - Full Day $160  - Full Day without Tour $135 - Half Day $85
    • Non-Member Ticket - Full Day $225 – Full Day without Tour $200 – Half Day $150
    • Allied ASLA Member Ticket - Full Day $160  - Full Day without Tour $135 - Half Day $85
    • SCASLA Member Ticket - Full Day $35 - Half Day $30
    • Non-SCASLA Member Ticket - Full Day $45 - Half Day $40

    **Tickets May NOT Be Purchased at the Door & NO Refunds are Accepted.

    See who's already signed up!

     

    2020 Annual Meeting Agenda (6 HSW LACES CEUs) 

    Agenda is subject to change, please check back for final schedule.

    • 7:15am – 8:00am            Registration / Continental Breakfast
    • 8:00am – 8:15am            Welcome + President’s Message – Chris Laster
    • 8:15am – 9:45am            Session #1: Kimberly Garza – Atlas Labs (1.5 CEUs)
    • 9:45am – 10:30am          Break + Vendor Expo
    • 10:30am – 12:00pm        Session #2: Claire Agre – Unknown Studio (1.5 CEUs)
    • 12:00pm – 1:15pm          Lunch + Vendor Expo
    • 1:15pm – 2:15pm            Session #3: Chris Bongorno + Tom Brown – Nelson/Nygard (1.0 CEU)
    • 2:15pm – 3:00pm            Break + Vendor Expo
    • 3:00pm – 5:00pm            Session #4: Tony Murry – NBBJ | CML Dublin Branch (2.0 CEUs)
    • 5:00pm – onward             Happy Hour Vaso Rooftop Bar (Bridge Park)

    PLEASE NOTE:

    • Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes, the final session for the day is a walking tour.
    • Tickets may NOT be purchased at the door and NO Refunds are accepted.

     

    2020 Annual Meeting Sessions + Speakers Bios

    Educational Session #1 
    SPEAKER | Kimberly Garza, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP
    Founder and Principal of Atlas Labs

    Educational Session #2
    SPEAKER | Claire Agre, ASLA, PLA
    Co-Founder and Principal of Unknown Studio

     

    Educational Session #3
    SPEAKERS | Thomas Brown, Principal & Christopher Bongorno, Senior Associate 
    Nelson/Nygaard

     

    Educational Session #4
    SPEAKER | Tony Murry, ASLA, PLA 
    Senior Associate at NBBJ Design

     

    2020 OCASLA Vendor EXPO Registration

    • OCASLA Platinum and Gold Sponsor EXPO Table | FREE* (Includes 1 Lunch)
    • Vendor EXPO Table | $550 (Includes 1 Lunch)
    • Vendor EXPO Lunch | $30 (Additional Lunches for Additional Vendor Guests) 

    *Vendor Table is included in Platinum and Gold sponsorships ONLY. Silver sponsors must pay the non-sponsor rate. See the Sponsorship Flyer for more details.

    Click here to register for EXPO table!

    Contact [email protected] with any questions or special setup requirements.

     

    Student Portfolio Table

    Are you looking for summer internship students? Or better yet full-time employment opportunities for an entry-level position?

    OCASLA in conjunction with OSU, KSU, and UC will have a student portfolio table as well as a job postings table and board.

     

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    2020 OCASLA Statehouse Day

    The Ohio Chapter of ASLA will be hosting its fifth annual In-State Advocacy Day at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020. See our tentative schedule below!

    We will be modeling our day based on the national ASLA Advocacy Day held in Washington D.C. each year. Please take a moment to let us know if you are interested in participating. We need your help!

    We have had many issues in Ohio to discuss with our state legislators, from water quality issues in the Toledo area, to our relationship with the Ohio Landscape Architects Board and the recently enacted Reform of Occupational Licensing / Sunset Review Law SB255. 

    Please Sign-Up today! Contact us with questions at [email protected]

     

    Statehouse Day Schedule:

    2019 OCASLA Statehouse Day -- Wednesday, April 1st

    Location(s): Ohio Statehouse/Ladies' Gallery/1st Floor

    Member Cost: Free; Members Only

    Agenda: (Meet at Ohio Statehouse/Ladies' Gallery for Check-In)

    1:00-1:15pm   Check-In and Registration

    1:15-1:30pm   Welcome + Ohio Legislative Update  Doug Boyer, VP of Legislative Affairs

    1:30-2:00pm   ASLA National Issues Summary  Eugenia Martin, VP of Government Affairs

    2:00-2:15pm   Guest Speaker  TBD

    2:15-2:45pm   How to talk with your Legislators?  Luther Liggett, Esq.

    2:45-3:00pm   Group Picture in Statehouse

    3:00-4:00pm   Legislative Visits  5 person maximum sign-up to each

    4:00-6:00pm   Reception  Bar 41, Renaissance Hotel

     

    Advocacy Day Links:

    iAdvocate Network - www.asla.org/IAdvocate

    Landscape Architecture Licensure in the US

    Notes and Numbers Fact Sheet

    Tips for a Successful Meeting

    Guide to Interacting with your Legislators

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    Western Reserve: Winter Social

    Shake off those winter blues and join fellow ASLA'ers, friends and family for a night of food, drink, and shuffleboarding!

    OCASLA Western Reserve Section's annual winter social will be held at Forest City Shuffleboard in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood on Friday, February 21st from 6:00pm - 9:00pm. 

    The event will be catered by Twisted Taino and drink tickets will be provided for participating guests. No prior shuffleboard experience is necessary. Said experience may or may not be enhanced by aformentioned drinks. Regardless, everyone comes out a winner!

    Please feel free to invite a friend (or two), catch up with colleagues, and connect with new and prospective members.

    Registration for the festivities is $20 for members and $30 for non-members.

    Click HERE to Register today!

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    Miami: Taking Root Event - 7th Annual Great Tree Summit

    Join us for the 2020 Great Tree Summit at Camp Friedlander near Loveland, Ohio. Learn about local tree and forest initiatives and opportunities that may inspire you and gather new insights for keeping more of the trees we have. There will be great discussion, a silent auction, exhibits, awards, networking and light refreshments!

    Keynote Presentation:
    PRESERVATION OF EXISTING TREES
    by Dr. William M. Fountain, Ph.D.
     
      
     
    Dr. William (Bill) M. Fountain is an Extension Professor in the Department of Horticulture at The University of Kentucky.  Dr. William (Bill) M. Fountain is an Extension Professor in the Department of Horticulture at The University of Kentucky.

    Bill joined the faculty in the Department of Horticulture in July 1979 and is currently professor of Arboriculture with an Extension appointment. He's involved in working with the Kentucky Chapter of ISA (a.k.a. Kentucky Arborists' Association) to provide educational programs on identification & selection, installation and maintenance, tree risk assessment and mitigation of problems and working with county Extension agents in training Master Gardeners, identification of plants, and identification of cultural and pest problems in their counties..

    He's served on ISA boards, traveled extensively overseas to provide training and to learn new practices, and been heavily involved in youth horticulture programming.

    Bill is a self-proclaimed tree-hugger and a soil worshiper who acknowledges that we are here on earth as guests of the plant kingdom. "Ahhhh, so many plants, so little time!".

    AGENDA
      9:00     Welcome and Taking Root Updates
      9:15     Tree Stewardship at Camp Friedlander
      9:30     Keynote: Preservation of Existing Trees
    10:15     Tree Management under Utility Wires
    10:45     Break / Exhibits, Networking, Auction Bids
    11:00     Awards Presentation
    11:10     Local Tree and Forest Initiatives 
                  Friends of Little Miami State Park
                  Good Natured Tree Project
                  Make a Difference Day 
                  Ohio Valley Forestry Fellowship
                  Ohio Native Plant Month
                  Open Discussion
    12:15    Closing and Silent Auction Award Winners
    12:30    Options: Camp Tour & Demo of Tree Planting
    Click here to Register.

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    Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan: Public Open House

    Let's Talk Trees!

    Trees are critical to a healthy, vibrant community. Columbus is facing rapid growth and a changing climate over the coming years. How will we maintain and increase our tree canopy in light of these urban challenges?


    Come engage with us and learn about the impact of trees in Columbus. Tell us what you would like to see in your neighborhood!


    All input will be used to develop a long-term Urban Forestry Master Plan to care for our tree canopy for years to come!

    Please RSVP at https://www.columbusufmp.org/updates.html

     

    When:

    March 04, 2020
    6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

     

    Where:

    WYANDOT LODGE
    3228 INDIAN VILLAGE ROAD
    Columbus, OH 43221

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    Simple + Sustainable Landscapes, Go Native in Your Yard

    The Hancock County Master Gardener Volunteers are hosting a seminar titled "Simple & Sustainable Landscapes, Go Native In Your Yard" on Saturday, March 7, 2020. We are featuring presentations from five of the area's top experts in the field (or should we say garden?) A continental breakfast and box lunch are included. Registration deadline is March 1, 2020. Anyone who loves to garden is encouraged to attend!

    Sustainability in landscaping integrates environmentally sound gardening practices as part of design, installations and maintenance with little or no additional support beyond minimal water, fertilizer and seasonal care.

    Presenters inlcude:
    Pam Bennett – OSU Clark Co. Extension Educator 
    Hal Mann – Wild Ones Oak Openings Region
    Chris Gajewicz – BG Natural Resources Coordinator
    Karen Himelhan and Dave Sheidler of North Branch Nursery, Pemberville, OH

    MGV CE = 4 hours

    Cost: $40.00 (continental breakfast and box lunch included)

    Registration via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/simple-sustainable-landscapes-seminar-tickets-85296557299?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

    When:
    March 07, 2020
    9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

    Where:

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    Miami | Cincinnati Zoo + Botanical Gardens Event: Sustainable Urban Landscape Symposium

    Sustainable Urban Landscape Symposium
    Including Landscape Elements That Innately Support Our Human Nature: 9:00AM-9:50AM
    Scott Beuerlein, Manager of Horticultural Outreach Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
    Success Stories in Storm Water Retention & Beyond at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: 9:50AM-10:40AM
    Mark Fisher, Vice President of Facilities, Planning, & Sustainability Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
    Cold Climate Cities and Successful Green Infrastructure Solutions...
    Peter MacDonagh, Director of Science & Design, The Kestrel Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Part 1: Steep Slopes, Green Roofs, Rain Gardens 11:10AM-12:00PM
    Part 2: Shoreline Stabilization & Urban Forests 1:00PM-1:50PM
    Top 5 Gardening Trends: 1:50PM-2:40PM
    Joe Boggs, Assistant Professor OSU Extension Hamilton County and OSU Entomology
    Success Stories in Plant Introductions: 3:10PM-4:00PM
    Steve Foltz, Director of Horticulture Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
    One More Talk, Title TBA, Speaker TBA, 4:00PM_4:50PM

    Social Hour

    Enjoy social time with other attendees and speakers. Cash bar.

     

    TICKETS

    https://store.cincinnatizoo.org/webstore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=hort&C=suls20

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    ASLA National: Update

    ASLA National News: January 31st, 2020

    Click HERE to download the latest news from ASLA National.

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    Jobs

    OCASLA will update monthly any new job postings throughout the state of Ohio.

    Please click here to current postings.

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    Classified Ads

    2026-09-08:

    SALARY

    HOURLY $48.72 - $73.08

    ANNUALLY $101,337.60 - $152,006.40

    LOCATION Five Rivers MetroParks, 409 E. Monument Avenue, Suite 300, Dayton, OH 45402

    JOB TYPE Regular, Full-Time

    CLOSING DATE 10/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

    SUMMARY This position provides senior leadership and direction to subordinate staff with responsibility for the agency’s planning and design for parks, trails, facilities, land planning and acquisition, management of construction and improvement projects, to support agency strategic planning efforts, and performs other special projects assigned by the CEO.  

    DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform essential duties to expected performance standards. Reasonable accommodations are made as required for persons with disabilities as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment.

    • Serve as a member of the executive leadership team. Provides leadership and direction to assigned areas of responsibility. Provides staff direction and works with affiliated organizations to execute Five Rivers MetroParks (FRMP) comprehensive and other agency plans, and capital improvements that support the agency's vision, mission, and strategic direction.
    • Plan, direct, and integrate comprehensive planning and projects for the agency.
    • Manage and administer park, trail and land planning and acquisition, construction and improvement projects, and capital improvement planning
    • Analyze complex planning and project issues and challenges, evaluate alternative solutions, and develop sound conclusions, recommendations, and courses of action. 
    • Evaluate planning and project management practices and adopt effective courses of action; develop clear, concise, and comprehensive technical reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
    • Inform and advise the CEO on local and regional community development, land, environmental and infrastructure planning issues. 
    • Working in conjunction with the CEO supports the development of agency strategic plans. Ensures alignment of strategic plans with agency purpose, mission, vision, values, and community priorities. 
    • Lead the development of internal strategic action plans.
    • Work with partners in the community to further strategic planning efforts. 
    • Coach and mentor staff to empower them in the development and execution of the strategic plan(s).
    • Facilitate the communication of strategic plans and their implementation to staff, agency partners, and the public.
    • Monitor local, state-wide and national trends in planning, economic and community development matters; evaluate their impact on agency and provide recommendations to the CEO.
    • Ensure timely preparation of complete and accurate functional area work for presentation to executive leadership, the Board of Park Commissioners, citizen committees, and other organizational or community groups; perform research and analysis for presentations on special projects and planning. 
    • Present proposals and recommendations clearly and logically in public meetings. Provides opportunities for public participation in the development of plans and designs.
    • Understand, interpret, explain, and apply local, state, and federal law and regulations governing land use planning, construction, and community development.
    • Exercise sound judgment within general policy guidelines; establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff, community partners and other commissions and boards, officials, external organizations, and developers.
    • Coordinate and manage the agency’s land use agreements with other external agencies.
    • Review, analyze and monitor assigned budgets and recommend appropriate management actions.  
    • Review, edit, and approve contracts, plans, policies, proposals, and other reports and documents.  Interprets and ensures agency compliance with federal, state, and local laws pertaining to the agency’s planning and project management.
    • Lead special strategic projects, as assigned by the CEO.
    • Serve as an active member on state and national professional boards and committees to enhance the connections, networking, and information sharing to ensure the agency is current with industry’s best practices.
    • Work assigned schedule, exhibits regular and punctual attendance, and works outside of normal schedule as required.  
    • Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records and information.

    ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Provide service to the public, responding to questions, helping, and providing information.
    • Collaborate within and across organizational boundaries to provide information and service for the effective operation of the agency and all staff.
    • Facilitate the periodic review of agency rules and regulations and works with staff and executive leadership to update them as needed. 
    • Represent the agency at local, regional, state, and national conferences and other forums.
    • Perform other duties as assigned.

    SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Supervise staff as assigned. 
    • Manage in accordance with delegated authority, and the agency’s policies, applicable laws and regulations.  
    • Collaborate within and across organizational boundaries to provide information and service for the effective operations of the agency and all staff.
    • Maintain responsibility for timely and effectively accomplishing the goals of the functional area, in accordance with the FRMP strategic plan and initiatives.
    • Maintain effective organizational communications and consistently follow sound management principles and practices.  
    • Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the agency’s rules, policies, and applicable laws. 
    • Establish priorities, performance requirements and personal development targets that are connected to the organization’s goals, objectives, and initiatives; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; provide recommendations related to hiring, compensation, and other rewards to recognize performance; takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies.
    • Ensure that subordinate staff is accountable for individual responsibilities and fosters a sense of empowerment for decision-making at all levels.
    • Encourage a sense of urgency, fun, and satisfaction toward meeting the agency’s goals and objectives.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. A suitable combination of education, training, coursework, and experience may be accepted as evidence of an applicant’s ability to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of an acceptable qualification is:

    • Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, Planning, Public Administration, Natural Resources, or closely related fields.
    • Seven years of progressively responsible experience in public administration or business administration, including experience in a senior level management capacity, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

    CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

    • Certified Parks and Recreation Professional or Certified Park and Recreation Executive, or Licensed Landscape Architect
    • Valid Driver’s License which meets FRMP insurance carrier guidelines.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Candidates must successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening test prior to employment.

    Please see https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fiveriversmetroparks to apply.

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