Practice Basecamp Preview: Professional Practice Network Events in San Francisco

image: Jason Mallory

Practice Basecamp at the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture is the EXPO’s hub for a range of practice-focused programming, including:

  • Engaging campfire sessions organized by ASLA’s Professional Practice Networks (PPNs)
  • Fast-paced Game Changer presentations
  • Presentations from ASLA’s Climate Action Committee

Curious about the call for PPN leadership volunteers, but want to know more before you sign up? If you’re going to San Francisco, then you are in luck—Practice Basecamp is an ideal spot to see the PPNs in action and get a sense of what these practice area-focused groups for ASLA members are all about. The PPN-organized campfire sessions will be conversation-focused, allowing for peer-to-peer learning and knowledge-sharing—the primary aims of the PPNs.

Want to make the most of your PPN experience at the conference? Explore what’s planned and get ready to make new connections in San Francisco:

Saturday, November 12

1:00 – 1:45 pm

Sunday, November 13

11:00 – 11:30 am

  • International Practice

11:00 – 11:45 am

12:00 – 12:45 pm

1:00 – 1:45 pm

See below for more information on what’s planned for each PPN event, or click the PPN name above to jump to that PPN’s event information.

Creating Welcoming + Inclusive Landscapes on Higher Education Campuses
Saturday, November 12, 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Theater

The Campus Planning & Design PPN has invited student members of ASLA to present original research and design work focused on how campuses can create inclusive communities that contribute positively to wellbeing, diversity, and sustainability. Join us for a collaborative discussion and to hear students’ perspectives on how to make higher education campus landscapes more welcoming and inclusive.

Children’s Outdoor Environments PPN Campfire Session: Trauma Responsive Design Thinking
Saturday, November 12, 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Campfire

Play, the most important aspect of childhood development, can be hindered by past or present trauma. It can limit a child’s ability to experience the benefits of outdoor environments and play. Join us for a collaborative discussion to consider why children’s outdoor environments can become places to reduce the impact of trauma.

Sustainable Design & Development PPN Campfire Session
Saturday, November 12, 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Theater

A better future is a sustainable future. The Sustainable Design & Development PPN strives to provide useful tools for elevating our discipline and your daily practice. Please join us to discuss where the SDD PPN has been, what we’re doing now, and how we should prioritize initiatives for the future.

image: Jason Mallory

Urban Design Beyond Pandemic: What is Next for Urban Landscapes?
Saturday, November 12, 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Campfire

Join the Urban Design Professional Practice Network for a facilitated discussion on the value of restorative urban design practices during and after the pandemic, and the role of landscape architects in taking next steps in designing the next generation of urban landscapes. We will discuss urban design strategies, temporary and permanent interventions, tactical urbanism, and pedestrian-focused streetscape transformations to inform future practice, education, and service in landscape architecture.

Environmental Justice PPN Campfire Session
Sunday, November 13, 12:00 – 12:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Theater

Please join the Environmental Justice PPN and guest speaker, Stephen Gray, Associate Professor of Urban Design at Harvard University and founder of Boston-based design firm Grayscale Collaborative.

The focus of the presentation will be on the Community First Toolkit collaboratively developed by the High Line Network. This toolkit is a resource to help practitioners, park managers, government entities, non-profits, and communities to embed equity into public spaces in all phases of park planning and management. We hope you will join the EJ PPN for a lively discussion and learn more about using the toolkit which sounds like a great resource to incorporate in our work on environmental justice and equity issues.

image: Jason Mallory

How have you BIM? An Open Discussion with the Digital Technology PPN
Sunday, November 13, 12:00 – 12:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Theater

The Digital Technology PPN invites attendees to an interactive conversation over technology as applied to our practice. Hear from speakers from the conference sessions FRI-D09: Updating Workflows: Pragmatic Perspectives on New(ish) Technologies and MON-DD-002: Data Driven Design: Insights from the ASLA BIM Working Group.

Participate in audience polling to share BIM project trends. Are clients and architects/primes are asking for BIM? What are your BIM paint points and success stories? What are contractual challenges for BIM? How do we talk to clients about BIM? Join us for the discussion!

Using Native Plants Effectively: Designing Authentic Gardens for People, Plants, and Wildlife
Sunday, November 13, 12:00 – 12:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Campfire

Please join the Planting Design PPN for an informal roundtable on relevant planting design topics. What is an authentic landscape? Are there ethical dilemmas in planting design and how do we solve them? How can we effectively utilize native plants on projects? We invite you to collaborate with us on how to effectively integrate planting design theory with ecological research to create native plant gardens that attract pollinators, create habitat, and promote human health and well-being.

image: Jason Mallory

Water Conservation PPN Campfire Session
Sunday, November 13, 12:00 – 12:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Campfire

In the past 12 months, the Water Conservation PPN has provided the ASLA community discussions on irrigation training, efficiency, financial models, corporate social responsibility, and the state of landscape architecture. Join us for a recap of our diverse work and to hear from you to where to promote water efficiency next.

Pathways to Becoming Academic Educators
Sunday, November 13, 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Theater

This session focuses on pathways to academia for practitioners. We will cover an introduction of how the academic system functions and university expectations for academic units, the various paths to teaching, and a discussion of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Standing Committee on DEI’s commitment to the recruitment of a diversity of practitioners and educators.

image: EPNAC

Design-Build / Residential Landscape Architecture PPNs Campfire Session
Sunday, November 13, 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Campfire

Join us for an open discussion on the need, opportunities, and benefits for landscape architects in residential design-build. Do contractors control the market? How do landscape architects get in the lead position? What are the benefits of the landscape architect being the prime contractor? What are the financial risks and rewards of residential design-build? Come share your thoughts!

Parks & Recreation PPN Campfire Session: Designing Parks for Perpetuity—Built to Last
Sunday, November 13, 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Campfire

Join the Parks & Recreation PPN for an informal roundtable on how park design ideas on the drawing board affect long term maintenance, durability, and ultimately the viability of our park and recreation systems. From underground utilities to towering play structures, to all aspects of earth, water, hardscape, and plants—each decision affects everyday maintenance, grounds crews, and even recreation programming. Participate in a riveting discussion about make-or-break experiences from the public sector and learn how that amazing concept may not be so marvelous in practice.

Before the WILA PPN Campfire Session on Sunday and the WILA Walk on Monday, check out the deep dive session Cultivating Conversations: An Open Dialogue to Effect Change in Organizational Culture on Saturday, November 12, led by WILA PPN Chair Lara Moffat, ASLA.

Women in Landscape Architecture: A Discussion of Experience, Equity, and Needed Resources
Sunday, November 13, 1:00 – 1:45 pm
Practice Basecamp Campfire

Come on over and chat with the Women in Landscape Architecture (WILA) PPN about ASLA’s Women in the Profession/Equity Task Force. Be on the forefront of designing and populating a resource center for equity in the profession. What kind of things do you need to support equity in your office? What questions do you have?

Excited for this impressive slate of events? Considering becoming a PPN leader to take part in organizing future PPN gatherings!

PPN membership is not required to attend PPN events at the conference—all are welcome. Already a member of one PPN, but curious about another? Or not sure which PPN to choose (all ASLA members receive one PPN membership for free)? You are welcome to attend as many PPN events as you like!

Keep an eye on The Field as we continue to highlight ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture events through the start of the conference on November 11. We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!

Practice Basecamp events sponsored by DuMor, Inc.

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