How do you keep up with the latest best practices and standards in site landscaping and ecology?

1 Follow professional associations and publications

One of the best ways to keep up with the latest best practices and standards in site landscaping and ecology is to follow the professional associations and publications that represent and inform your industry. For example, you can join and subscribe to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF), the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), and the Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA). These organizations offer newsletters, magazines, journals, webinars, podcasts, blogs, and social media channels that cover the latest research, projects, awards, events, and advocacy issues related to site landscaping and ecology.

2 Attend conferences and workshops

Another way to keep up with the latest best practices and standards in site landscaping and ecology is to attend conferences and workshops that provide opportunities for networking, learning, and sharing with your peers and experts. For example, you can attend the annual ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture, the LAF Innovation + Leadership Symposium, the SER World Conference on Ecological Restoration, and the ELA Conference and Eco-Marketplace. These events feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, educational sessions, field trips, exhibitions, and awards ceremonies that showcase the latest innovations, challenges, and solutions in site landscaping and ecology.

3 Take online courses and certifications

A third way to keep up with the latest best practices and standards in site landscaping and ecology is to take online courses and certifications that enhance your knowledge and skills. For example, you can enroll in the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES), which offers a variety of courses on topics such as design, planning, management, ecology, technology, ethics, and sustainability. You can also pursue certifications such as the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES), which is a comprehensive rating system for the design, construction, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, or the Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP), which is a credential that recognizes the knowledge and experience of ecological restoration professionals.

4 Participate in online communities and forums

A fourth way to keep up with the latest best practices and standards in site landscaping and ecology is to participate in online communities and forums that foster discussions and exchanges among site planners and other related professionals. For example, you can join and contribute to the ASLA Professional Practice Networks (PPNs), which are groups of members who share common interests and expertise in specific areas of landscape architecture, such as ecological restoration, environmental justice, historic preservation, urban design, and water conservation. You can also join and engage with online platforms such as Land8, which is a social network for landscape architects, or Landscape Juice Network, which is a forum for landscape professionals.

5 Experiment and collaborate

A fifth way to keep up with the latest best practices and standards in site landscaping and ecology is to experiment and collaborate with new ideas, methods, tools, and partners. As a site planner, you can challenge yourself to explore new concepts, designs, materials, technologies, and strategies that can improve your site landscaping and ecology projects. You can also collaborate with other professionals from different disciplines, such as architects, engineers, ecologists, planners, artists, and community members, who can bring different perspectives, insights, and solutions to your site landscaping and ecology challenges.