Anson Wong, ASLA
Dear Northern California Chapter Members,
2024 has been an exceptionally remarkable and transformative year for our Chapter, marked by numerous achievements and milestones. First, I would like to highlight the national recognition and contributions of some of our outstanding members.
Three of our members—Patricia Algara, David Fletcher, and Joni L. Janecki—have been inducted into the ASLA Council of Fellows. Additionally, five projects from our Chapter members were among the 39 recipients of the ASLA Professional Awards this year. At the ASLA Conference in Washington, D.C., our Chapter was well-represented with speakers participating in over 10 educational sessions. MaFe Gonzalez, Associate ASLA, was honored as the winner of the 2024 Game Changers competition. I would also like to congratulate April Philips, FASLA, for completing her two-year term as the National Leader of the ASLA Biodiversity and Climate Action Committee. As a Chapter, we remain dedicated to supporting the visions and ambitions of our members, and we will continue to serve as a vital link between the National ASLA and our region to highlight and celebrate the outstanding work and contributions of our members on a broader scale.
This year also marked several important “firsts” that will help shape the future of our Chapter. The Biodiversity and Climate Action Committee (BCAC) successfully hosted its inaugural webinar in February and launched a dedicated resource webpage. In August, the Chapter hosted its first Landscape Symposium, attracting over 120 participants and 20 speakers. The event facilitated meaningful discussions between landscape architects and other stakeholders and led to important initiatives, such as the nomination of African American landscape sites in Northern California for inclusion in the Cultural Landscape Foundation’s national guide. The Symposium is also the Chapter’s first event offering LA CES credits for registered landscape architects, and we look forward to providing more accredited educational opportunities for local professionals.
The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee had a productive year, organizing a range of social events and initiatives, including: Reflection at SFMoMA for Black History Month, a Guided Tour of San Francisco’s Chinatown for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a joint LGBTQ Happy Hour with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) during Pride Month, a two-part workshop series on Neurodiversity and Inclusion, and the launch of the Chapter’s second JEDI scholarship for Emerging Professionals. These efforts have helped strengthen our community, and furthered our commitment to embracing the diversity of Northern California.
On the legislative front, our Chapter representatives at the California Council of the American Society of Landscape Architects (CCASLA) closely monitored key bills every year, with a primary focus this year on Senate Bill No.1452 (Sunset Review legislation). Thanks to CCASLA’s efforts, the California State Legislature voted to renew the licensure and regulation of Landscape Architects for the next four years. We are also closely following ongoing discussions about potential structural changes to the Landscape Architect license, and we will keep our members informed of any developments that could impact the profession.
Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our Executive Committee, our Executive Director, our sponsors, and most importantly, to all of our members. Your support has been instrumental in making these accomplishments possible. It has been an incredible honor to serve as Chapter President. I am excited to welcome our incoming president Thea Yang, and the new executive committee. I look forward to continuing to work with the talented and passionate individuals who make our community thrive.
Anson Wong, ASLA
ASLA Northern California Chapter President 23/24
