The Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects is the state organization for landscape architecture professionals in Oregon.
With over 300 members statewide, we provide events, training, and advocacy for a range of topics that affect our profession throughout the state.
The ASLA vision is to lead the design and stewardship of land and communities. Our mission as landscape architects is to lead the stewardship, planning, and design of our built and natural environments. The Society’s mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship.
BLACK LIVES MATTER.
In response to recent and historic police violence against Black, Brown and Indigenous communities, and in acknowledgement of the systemic racism upon which the United States was built, ASLA Oregon is adding its voice to the many individuals and institutions supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and committing to change. We desire to exercise anti-racism in the administration of our Chapter and to support it in our Members’ practice of landscape architecture.
ASLA Oregon would like to humbly acknowledge that the profession of landscape architecture in Oregon took root and thrived in fertile soil provided by systemic racism. For example, our practice was made possible by, and continues to benefit from, the theft of this land – the very medium of our work – from the Indigenous peoples whose home it was. Violence, followed by abandonment of treaties, forced assimilation and termination, assured that the land transferred to and remained largely in White hands, and that the benefits thereof accrued almost exclusively to White people. Further, our practice flourished upon and continues to benefit from social and economic capital accrued through racist policies such as discriminatory zoning, redlining, and racist neighborhood covenants.
But it’s not all in the past. ASLA Oregon acknowledges that there may be mindsets and modes of practice through which our Members continue to unwittingly support or perpetuate racial and social injustice. While we assume that our Members take their role as stewards of public health, safety and welfare to heart, we acknowledge the primacy of impact over intent, and that we must learn and make change.
We welcome the energy and momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement. We welcome the leadership and perspective of the Black Landscape Architects Network. We commit to taking action. As first steps, ASLA Oregon will:
Develop and implement a racial and environmental justice lens to inform Chapter decision making on matters from budgets and programming to Executive Committee recruitment.
Develop continuing education programming that examines how the design and management of public open spaces are affected by racial inequity.
Identify and facilitate connections between ASLA Oregon, our members, and minority K-12 and community college students to actively promote landscape architecture as a career option, and work to increase student diversity in undergraduate enrollments.
Establish categories and criteria for Design Awards to elevate Black, Brown and Indigenous community-building accomplishments and contributions.
ASLA Oregon is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment that fosters respect, fairness, and integrity for all whom participate in chapter activities and events. ASLA Oregon members, sponsors, presenters and guests should maintain the highest standards of personal conduct and refrain from engaging in discrimination or harassment.