Establishing a Western Section – Approved
The recent vote on establishing another section of BSLA to provide programming to members in the western part of the state was overwhelmingly approved by those voting (102 to 5). All members throughout BSLA may participate in Western section activities and, of course, those living in that area may participate in all BSLA activities. A small budget will be available to those in the section to create programming and events which they would host. Mark Lindhult of UMass is taking the lead on establishing the section.

Thanks to all those who voted and who asked questions.

Welcome M.E. O’Brien and Sons – 2010 BSLA Partner

M.E.O’Brien is the largest supplier of outdoor recreation equipment in New England, providing product and consultation for items such as playground equipment, site furnishings, steel shelter/pavilions, bleachers, athletic equipment, water play splash pads and much more!

A family operated business since 1929, O'Brien takes pride in its carefully built reputation for quality service with high quality equipment, competitive prices and top-notch service. "We constantly strive to ensure that our name will be associated only with the finest manufacturers, and caring, courteous service to clients backed by undeviating integrity" says Eric O’Brien.

O'Brien's maintains a full-time, professionally staffed office of over 17 employees, to respond rapidly and competently to any client need.

BSLA appreciates the long-term support of M.E. O’Brien as well as that of our other Partners, advertisers, and firms belonging to the Circle of Support.

BSLA OFFERS SEMINARS AT RDC
Residential Design and Construction

April 14-15, 2010
Seaport World Trade Center, Boston

Join fellow BSLA members at this year’s Residential Design and Construction event!

Residential Design and Construction (RDC) features over 200 exhibitors, bringing both cutting edge and tried and true industry products to the exhibit hall floor.  More than 50 workshops and professional development opportunities are offered, covering topics like sustainable design, alternative energy, smart business practices, interior design, home renovation and smart growth/smart development.

The BSLA is sponsoring three workshops at this year’s event: (A16) Dynamics of small scale green projects; (A19) The aesthetics of low-impact contemporary landscapes; and (A26) Inside/outside: designing for a lifetime on Wednesday April 14. For details and to register for these workshops and dozens of others that may be of interest to BSLA members, go to www.rdcboston.com. 

We are also excited to be a part of RDC’s Association networking breakfast (SB1). The association breakfast is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends and new, and to hear what’s happening with other industry associations. The breakfast features talks by Gail Ravgiala, Editor of Design New England and Lisa Quackenbush, President of cuePR

Admission to the exhibit hall is free for BSLA members when you register using promo code 10RDC245. Non-BSLA professionals who register for any RDCpackage, workshop or event, automatically receive free admission to the exhibit hall as well.

Circle of Support – Copley Wolff Renews
Thanks to Copley Wolff for renewing their membership in the Circle of Support.

All Landscape Architecture firms are invited to demonstrate commitment to their professional organization by joining other firms in the Circle of Support. All Circle of Support Members are listed and linked on the BSLAweb.org home page for twelve months. Contact the Chapter Office for more information.

BRICK INDUSTRY WORKSHOPS
March 18, 2010

Boston Society of Architects
52 Broad Street - Fifth Floor
Boston

Brick Paving Systems – Various brick paving systems are more appropriate to certain applications—patios, sidewalks, and other pedestrian venues are very different from requirements for vehicular routes. You’ll learn basic information about ASTM paver standards, base design, setting beds, edge restraints, bond patterns, and installation.

Causes, Control and Prevention of Efflorescence – Efflorescence, that white powdery substance that often appears on brick walls, can be controlled and eliminated. Specific areas includes in this presentation are: identifying materials that are likely and less than likely to contribute to efflorescence; assessing the impact of details and construction methods on efflorescence potential during project design; assessing the contribution of non-construction conditions affecting efflorescence development; and suggested procedures for removing and preventing the recurrence of efflorescence. * 1 AIA/CES, HSW Credit

Please RSVP by Friday, March 12 to the Chapter Office at ChapterOffice@BSLAweb.org

You're Invited
to a Party
March 4, 6-8 pm, Worcester

This is a free event for members of the ASLA. Complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and great raffle prizes will be provided by Unilock. 

The preview party will be at the DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA on Thursday March 4, 6-8pm. RSVPs are requested by March 1 for the catering numbers; phone 508-278-4536.

“… this will be a fun event for all to meet friends both old and new, network or just to enjoy the garden and outdoor living exhibits” See the BSLAweb.org/calendar.htm for more information."

Welcome New Members

• Catherine L. Baker-Eclipse, ASLA, Boston Parks & Recreation Department, Boston, MA
• Stacy Buckley, Affiliate ASLA, Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, MA
• Paul Russell, ASLA, Reed Hilderbrand Associates, Watertown, MA
• Glenn T. Sovie, Associate ASLA, Maynard, MA
• Anne Whiston Spirn, ASLA, Nahant, MA

A New Reason to be a BSLA Member –

BSLA will post project opportunities in the Ebulletin for members in good standing. If you are interested in the project described, please forward your name, firm, contact information, and any weblink you would like the client to review. The Chapter Office will forward the information from members to the client. Just another great reason to join ASLA and BSLA!

Challenging linear city roof deck space approx 9'x38' with high side wall and shaded light.  2 balconies, 2 stairs, outdoor water supply and drainage, electricity.  Beaux Arts exterior but has horrible addition that needs complete aesthetic overhaul.  Client seeks to create several unique outdoor rooms including garden space and even rooftop conservatory.  Each outdoor 'room' might have the feel of a rooftop in Paris, courtyard garden in Kyoto, or a greenhouse at Kew Gardens. Opportunity for media coverage of renovation. 

Please email the BSLA ChapterOffice if you are interested in being considered; include your name, firm, and website where your work can be viewed. The client will contact firms from that list to invite proposals. Viewing of space (located in Kenmore Square/Back Bay) no problem.

SHADOW A PROFESSIONAL DAY
Has your firm signed up yet? Please consider participating as we have many students interested in being part of this new program.

Sign up online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/QY83JB7

FINAL DAYS TO SIGN UP !

February 25, 2010 
Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA)
16th Annual Conference and Eco-Marketplace
MassMutual Center, Springfield

Expanding the Ecological Landscape: Maximize Biological Potential, Minimize Environmental Impact, and Love the Results!

www.ecolandscaping.org/conference.html

PRO BONO OPPORTUNITY – Boston Elementary School
The Ohrenberger Elementary school, a Boston public school is hosting their annual  GreenUp Day, on May 8. The goal is to the build community by bringing together the diverse community in the neighborhood to clean, plant and learn about ways to live more sustainably. Last year, neighboring businesses donated plants, soil, mulch etc. for the few green spaces around the school.

A note from Rachael Acker, a parent co-chair, says “We have quite a bit of outdoor space, but we are in need of a landscape architect to help us design a usable space. We don't have much funds, but perhaps there's an opportunity for students who are looking for projects to add to their portfolio?

Is this something the organization might be able to help with?” They may be contacted at http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/node/503

Update on the  Esplanade 2020 initiative

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Charles River Esplanade, and in celebration of the park’s centennial anniversary, The Esplanade Association (TEA) is mobilizing park stakeholders to forge a ten-year vision for the Esplanade’s future. TEA, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, began the first phase of Esplanade 2020 on January 20, hosting the first of four community input sessions at the Boston Public Library. This session asked the public to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for change on the Esplanade, and laid the groundwork for coming months of work. 

The next phase of this project involves the formation and collaboration of several design team “steering committees.” These volunteer committees will focus their attention on one of the eight thematic areas that we are building the vision around (Access and pathways; Landscape and horticulture; Communication and wayfinding; etc.), and will be tasked with exploring and expanding the community’s ideas into written and graphic representations.  Building on precedent work already completed—including the Charles River Basin Master Plan, the Lee Pool study, Charlesgate connection studies, and other reports—these design groups will play an integral role in igniting the public’s awareness of how incredible the Charles River parklands could be if designed and managed properly. For more information, contact Chris Murton

See major exhibits, a garden marketplace with over 270 retail vendors, daily gardening demonstrations, lectures, judged competitions and more, centered on the theme, A Feast for the Senses. The five day event features 30 lush and inspiring landscaped gardens created by professional landscape designers, nurseries and historic properties, each incorporating vivid color, stimulating scents, soothing sounds and tantalizing texture with a hearty side dish of the latest taste sensation - organic vegetable gardening. Read more on the BSLA Calendar.      

 UMass Extension – Landscape, Nursery, Urban Forestry

The new season of Extension courses begins in March. Keep up to date with programs and services they provide, including fact sheets and diagnostic services. Link: http://www.umassgreeninfo.org/

Invitation to Seminars at Landscape Studies Program, Smith College

Randy Hester and his wife Marcia McNally will be at Smith College for this spring; Randy is Smith's distinguished visiting professor (the Neilson Professor): www.smith.edu/kahninstitute/shortterm_projects_ecological_democracy.php for the semester.  He will give 3 lectures and Marcia will lecture as well, as part of the lecture course that Smith's program in Landscape Studies offers each spring. (The complete lecture schedule may be viewed here: www.smith.edu/landscapestudies/speakers.php 

Marcia will also teach our spring Landscape Studies studio, and Randy will offer a discussion section based on each week's lectures.

There is no fee to attend these programs.

Design Consultant BID IN NEW HAMPSHIRE –
Deadline: THIS Friday

The Town of Salem, NH is seeking a design consultant to complete design guidelines for new commercial, industrial, and multi-family development. The guidelines will focus on architecture, landscaping, signage, lighting, parking, and access management. See the attached Potential Scope of Work for more details about this project. The Town will receive a $10,000 grant from the Community Technical Assistance Program to fund this project.

Applicants must have demonstrated experience in preparing design guidelines and familiarity with land use development and regulations in New Hampshire.

Proposals marked “Design Guidelines” should be submitted to the Town of Salem Purchasing Coordinator, Town Hall, 33 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH 03079, before 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2010.  Please submit 3 copies of the proposal and relevant examples.

The Town reserves the right to reject and/or waive any proposals if deemed in the best interest of the Town.

Questions may be addressed to:

Ross Moldoff, Planning Director, Town of Salem, NH, 33 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH  03079, 603-890-2083, rmoldoff@ci.salem.nh.us.

Sponsor an Issue of the Monthly BSLA EBulletin
Sign up to sponsor an issue of the monthly BSLA EBulletin and have your ad prominently displayed here - with a link to your website ($175 per issue). For more details...

Only 3 sponsor placements per issue. Contact BSLA Chapter Office, ChapterOffice@BSLAweb.org, 802-438-9858.

Thank you to the ASLA's "50 by 2010" Licensure Campaign contributors -

• Reed|Hilderbrand
• Bartsch & Radner Design, Inc.
• Sasaki Associates, Inc.
• Hugh J. Collins, Jr. Landscape Designer, Inc.
• Halvorson Design Partnership
• Bellalta 3 Design
• Stantec Planning and Landscape Architecture, P.C.
• Joseph Hudak, L.A
• Weston and Sampson
• Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture
• Dodson Associates
• Hines Wasser & Associates, LLC
• HNTB Corporation
• Pressley Associates, Inc.
• Terrence J. DeWan and Associates
• AMES A/E
• Steven W. Ribble, RLA, ASLA
• Crosby Schlessinger Smallridge
• Robert LaRoche
• SMRT, Inc.
• Mohr & Seredin Landscape Architects, Inc.
• WBRC Architects / Engineers Inc.
• Lawrence Johannesman
• Mitchell & Associates
• Mercer Bonney, RLA
• Shadley Associates, P.C.
• Clyde & Patricia Walton
• Beals and Thomas, Inc.

BSLA appreciates their commitment to this cause.

• Bartsch & Radner Design, Inc.
• Halvorson Design Partnership
• Reed | Hilderbrand
• Shadley Associates, P.C.
• Copley Wolff Design Group, Inc.
• Keith LeBlanc Landscape Architecture, Inc.
• Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
• Elliott Brundage Landscape Design