Fantastic article on living walls

http://continuingeducation.construction.com/article.php?L=326&C=951

fantastic article!

Great article on Fall Tree Planting

http://www.savatree.com/fall-planting-trees.html

Check out this article on the benefits of planting trees and shrubs in fall!

Finding nature south of Chicago

http://dirt.asla.org/2013/05/08/chicagos-wilderness-beauty-amid-industry/

Fantastic couple of articles from ASLA

http://dirt.asla.org/2013/05/28/civic-horticulture-productive-gardens/ 

Bipartisan Community Parks Revitalization Act Introduced in U.S. House

FROM ASLA's WEBSITE

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) commends Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), and nine others for introducing H.R. 2424, the Community Parks Revitalization Act, which would help communities to rehabilitate existing and develop new community parks and outdoor recreational facilities.

Today, many communities are suffering from deteriorating infrastructure, chronic stormwater management issues, lagging economies, limited green spaces, poor health, and chronic disease. Community parks and other outdoor recreation facilities have a proven record for revitalizing communities by increasing economic development, improving public health, increasing daily physical activity, reconnecting children with nature, reducing crime, and providing safe, healthy alternatives for youth.

The Community Parks Revitalization Act will stimulate neighborhood economic growth by leveraging limited public resources to generate community reinvestment. Specifically, the bill will authorize grants for park and recreation agencies, which must be matched with local funds. Grants could be used to rehabilitate existing and develop new community parks and recreational infrastructure. In addition the bill now includes an innovative financing mechanism that would establish a program for secured loans and loan guarantees for the development of parks and recreation infrastructure. Notably, this program, modeled after the popular Transportation Infrastructure Innovative Financing Act, would allow either large-scale projects such as trail systems or multiple communities to bundle multiple projects together, allowing eligible entities to take advantage of low-cost financing.

According to Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA, the Community Parks Revitalization Act is a crucial opportunity to strengthen American communities. 

“ASLA supports legislation that will assist with the rehabilitation and construction of urban parks and recreational facilities across the country,” said Somerville. “Parks provide significant economic, social, and environmental benefits to everyone in the community. Parks are not just pretty places, but critical to the fabric of our daily lives.”

Somerville also noted that landscape architects, many of whom are part of small businesses, plan and design community parks and other outdoor recreational spaces. They help encourage physical activity by making spaces more accessible, attractive, and sustainable. Exposure to nature reduces stress and improves mood. These spaces also absorb stormwater runoff, saving cities millions of dollars and, more important, promoting healthier, happier lifestyles.

For more information on ASLA federal advocacy efforts, please visit ASLA’s I Advocatewebpage. 

Interior Sec Ken Salazar, Hon. ALSA Steps Down

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Hon. ASLA, announced that he will return to his home state of Colorado, having fulfilled his promise to President Barack Obama to serve four years as secretary. Salazar has informed President Obama that he intends to leave the department by the end of March. Email Print Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Hon. ASLA Salazar “helped usher in a new era of conservation for our nation’s land, water, and wildlife,” President Obama said in a written statement. The president also praised Salazar’s efforts to resolve disputes between the federal government and Native American tribes, and said the secretary ensured that decisions on energy production “are driven by the best science and promote the highest safety standards.” During his tenure, Salazar was responsible for the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative (AGO), which started a national dialogue about conservation and reconnecting Americans with the outdoors. Salazar’s vision for AGO was to create the next generation of great urban parks, to encourage young people to spend more time in the outdoors, and to protect treasured landscapes across the country. As part of Obama’s Great Outdoors program, Interior established 10 national wildlife refuges and seven national parks since 2009. AGO also established forward-thinking protections for wildlife and preserved millions of acres of land, and implemented community-driven, science-based conservation strategies that take into account entire ecosystems and working landscapes. In 2010, Secretary Salazar attended the ASLA President’s Dinner to accept the Olmsted Medal for his commitment and continued efforts in protecting and preserving our nation’s lands and waters as well as its cultural resources. Previously, Salazar served Colorado as a U.S. Senator, and as Attorney General. ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, commends Salazar for “his vision in creating and implementing the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, which can serve as a model for future secretaries. We are all the richer for his many years of public service and stewardship over our nation’s natural resources.” Former North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan, Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Hays, and former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire have been mentioned as possible replacements. ASLA will continue to monitor candidates to replace Secretary Salazar.

Landscape Architecture Magazine Featured in Barnes and Noble

http://www.asla.org/land/LandArticle.aspx?id=38309  

Send in a photo of display to enter prize drawing. The January issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine (LAM) is featured this month on the end-caps of the magazine sections ofnearly 500 Barnes & Noble stores across the country.

ASLA's Vivian Thompson does a bit of shopping!

Visit your local Barnes & Noble and take a photo--like the ones shown here--and send it topublisher@asla.org. Be sure and let us know where you snapped the photo. LAM will post it on its Facebook page, and you will be entered in the prize drawing for a $100 gift card. One entry per person per photo location. If you really want to show your support, purchase a copy of LAM at Barnes & Noble and drop it off in a library, hospital or medical waiting room, hair salon, etc. -- any place the public might be able to pick it up and learn about the profession. Gift subscriptions can be purchased online. 

If your local store is on the list and you do not see an end-cap promotion in the magazine section, please email publisher@asla.org to let LAM know for follow-up. 

LAM has also arranged for a Barnes & Noble end-cap promotion of its April issue in recognition of National Landscape Architecture Month, and the September issue, which will feature the 2013 Professional and Student Awards. 

Drought could reverse flow of Chicago River

Check out this interesting article!

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8947719 

Chicago Botanic Garden to add two additional gardens

http://www.lawnandlandscape.com/chicago-botanic-garden-designers.aspx

Downy Mildew Update

Lawn and Landscape Magazine provides us with a Downy Mildew Update

http://www.lawnandlandscape.com/ll1112-downy-mildew-impatiens.aspx

Great blog

Great information in this blog by arborsmith...

http://www.thearborsmiths.com/our-wisdom/

Overwintering container plants

The key to overwintering plants in containers is to prevent the soil mass from freezing and to maintain moisture in the soil throughout the winter. Freezing can be prevented by having a large soil mass in a well-insulated container or planter located in a protected area. Watering containers with needled and broadleaf evergreens such as hollies, boxwoods and ivy is essential in winter.

Most containers can be damaged by freezing and thawing conditions if the soil is left in them during winter. Large concrete and wooden planters are typically able to withstand northern Illinois winters without being cleaned out. All other planters and containers should be emptied of soil and plants and stored upside-down to prolong their useful life.

Fun Pumpkin Facts

pumpkins carved by Aaron and Sofia Zych

Total U.S. pumpkin production was valued at around $140 million equaling 1.1 billion lbs

 496 million pounds of pumpkins were produced in Illinois.

The top pumpkin production states are Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California.

Around 90 to 95% of the processed pumpkins in the United States are grown in Illinois.

Pumpkins originated in Central America.

In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.

The name pumpkin originated from "pepon" - the Greek word for "large melon."

Pumpkins are 90 percent water.

Pumpkins are a fruit.

Colonists sliced off pumpkin tops; removed seeds and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and is the origin of pumpkin pie.

Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.