Newsletter-2025_Vol III

Editor’s Note

I am writing this note for the last time as the editor of Foliage. As we welcome on our new executive committee for the year, I am so proud of all that our team has been able to accomplish. From our revamped partnership package, engaging advocacy with Iowa lawmakers, and of course the rollout of Foliage, our executive committee has done some excellent work that we should celebrate as a chapter.

I am excited to pass the reins to our new chapter secretary, Bailey Aldridge, and continue on the executive committee as your new Vice President.

Inquiries can be made via email to: ia-asla@assocserv.com

Happy Reading!

john aceto, PLA, ASLA iowa ASLA vice president

A FAREWELL FROM GARRET...

Garret munch past president shive-hattery

Hello Iowa ASLA Members, How is it almost November 2025 already? It’s hard to believe my year serving as President of Iowa ASLA has already come and gone. Looking back, it went by so quickly, but I truly believe we accomplished a lot and set the stage to continue building momentum.

We are living in an unusual time, marked by political divisions, environmental challenges, and rapid change that continues to shape the landscapes around us, both literally and figuratively. It can feel daunting at times. But it is also in these moments that the role of landscape architecture feels most vital. Our profession sits at the intersection of environment, community, and design, offering tangible and hopeful solutions to complex problems.

This year has been about bringing people together to share ideas, celebrating our collective impact, and strengthening the voice of landscape architecture in Iowa. It has also been a year of growth, collaboration, and planning for what’s next.

Many of our larger seasonal events saw their best attendance since before COVID. Much of that can be attributed to the hard work of our Executive Committee planning groups as well as our members who took the time to connect with each other.

1. Winter Social

The winter social was a huge hit, and we are planning to bring it back again this year. Thank you to Outdoor Recreation Products for sponsoring it.

2. Spring Conference

The Spring Conference, held in partnership with Iowa State University, had strong attendance and continues to be a great opportunity to connect with sponsors and our student chapter.

3. Legislative Breakfast

The legislative breakfast took a more digitized approach this year, featuring a slideshow of projects and our newly created Advocacy Booklet led by Dani Hodgson and Payton Anson. Their work was a tremendous effort, and we appreciate the time and dedication they gave to it. We plan to update it each year to continue showcasing the great work happening across the state.

4.

Golf Outing

We hosted the annual golf outing in Grinnell to bring the event closer to our eastern Iowa members and try out a beautiful new course.

5. Summer Social

Our summer social event at Topgolf, sponsored by SynLawn, was another great success for those who might not want to hit the links for a full day.

6. Fall Awards Gala

I’ll share more on the Fall Gala and Awards later in this newsletter.

7. ISU Tailgate

You can learn more about the ISU tailgate sponsored by Victor Stanley later in the newsletter from Derek.

All in all, it was a great year of events, and we can’t thank our members and sponsors enough for making them a success.

Expanding Access to STEM in Iowa

As landscape architects, we often work to affirm the relevance of our profession within our state and among our peers in related fields. We know the value our work brings to communities, the environment, and local economies, yet it can sometimes feel like we’re fighting to make that value visible. That is why it’s encouraging to see a positive endorsement from state leadership and the education system to elevate the disciplines that shape the future.

As an official STEM discipline, landscape architecture embodies the deep integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the work we do every day.

On August 16, 2025, Iowa’s Governor signed Executive Order 14, expanding access to STEM learning for K–12 students. This is a meaningful step that opens new opportunities for young people to discover landscape architecture early on and see it as a pathway to impactful careers.

For our chapter, this growing recognition is energizing. It is an opportunity to build stronger partnerships with educators and allies, inspire the next generation of landscape architects, and ensure our profession remains a visible and valued part of Iowa’s future.

Learn more about Executive Order 14 here.

Looking Beyond Iowa

While the work we are doing here at home is important, it is equally vital to stay connected to the broader landscape architecture community. Just a week ago, several of us represented Iowa at the American Society of Landscape Architects National Conference and participated in the Chapter Presidents Council and the Board of Trustees Council meetings.

Madison will share more details, but overall, the conference was excellent. Throughout the sessions, we connected with other state CPCs and national leadership to brainstorm and share ideas on key topics that shape the strength and future of our chapters, including value propositions, succession planning, chapter budgeting, website strategies and updates, student outreach, and advocacy efforts. These conversations were both energizing and practical, offering new perspectives and strategies that we are excited to bring back to Iowa.

We also made an important decision regarding our chapter’s next strategic plan update. To align with National ASLA’s support, we will shift our strategic plan update to 2027. Over the next year, we will evaluate areas where we are excelling and where we can continue to grow. This will allow us to enter the planning process well prepared, with clear priorities and a strong understanding of our opportunities.

Finally, at the conclusion of CPC, I had the privilege of being sworn in as the next CPC Chair Elect. In this role, I will help lead CPC meetings over the next year, including at the 2026 National Conference in Los Angeles. The following year, in 2027, I will have the honor of chairing the CPC meetings when the National Conference comes to Chicago, an especially exciting year as it will be held jointly with the International Federation of Landscape Architects.

I am truly honored and excited to have been nominated by my peers and look forward to supporting future CPCs and chapter leaders over the next two years. It is a privilege to help elevate the voice of chapters nationwide and to bring Iowa’s leadership and perspective to the national stage.

A Warm Farewell

As I close out my year as President, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to our members,

partners, and friends of Iowa ASLA. Seeing all that is happening across the country and even the world for some firms is truly inspiring. Your commitment to advancing our profession, showing up for one another, and investing in the future of landscape architecture is what makes this chapter so strong.

I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to serve in this role and to work alongside such a dedicated Executive Committee. We continue to have amazing individuals who volunteer their time and energy to strengthen this organization.

My hope is that I have served our chapter well during my time as President and helped build on the strong foundation created by those who came before me. I look forward to continuing to support the chapter as Past President, carrying forward the initiatives we have started, amplifying our collective voice,

and standing alongside our next generation of leaders.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in me and for making this community a meaningful one to be part of. Here’s to the next chapter of Iowa ASLA.

Sincerely,

garret munch, PLA, ASLA iowa ASLA past president

...AND A HELLO FROM MADISON!

MADISON DIERKS president confluence

Hello

Everyone! I’m genuinely thrilled to start my term as your Iowa Chapter President. It’s exciting to look ahead to the coming year, and I can’t wait to work alongside all of you to make it a great one for our chapter. Since joining the Executive Committee in late 2019, I’ve been continually impressed by how our members step up—volunteering, attending events, mentoring high school students, reviewing student work, advocating for licensure, and producing outstanding work. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Partnership Program participants. The support from our partners and firms is essential to keeping our chapter running smoothly and reaching our goals.

We’ve got an exhilarating year ahead, with a blend of social and educational events that we have hosted before, plus a few new initiatives to help strengthen our community. Event schedules and the details for the 2026 Partnership Program and Firm listings will be shared soon. If you’re interested in helping organize an event, don’t hesitate to reach out—the more, the merrier!

Lately, there’s been a lot of great conversation and brainstorming among our committees and members about advocating for our profession, engaging K-12 students, and building stronger connections between student, associate, and full members. I’m looking forward to what next year will bring for our chapter! Please keep the questions and ideas coming and let me know if you’d like to get involved by helping plan an event, joining a committee or with any of the initiatives I mention below. You can always reach me at mdierks@thinkconfluence.com.

CPC Recap

The CPC (Chapter Presidents Council) meetings are guided by the Chair and ChairElect each year, bringing together current and incoming chapter presidents. These gatherings help orient both new and experienced leaders, with ASLA staff providing legislative updates, nationwide initiatives, and other important information. Chapters share what’s working in their communities and what could use improvement. CPC also hears about key points from the Board of Trustee (BOT) Meeting— though I’ll let Lara fill you in there!

1. ASLA Membership Value

Lydia Thomson, Associate ASLA and Marketing & Market Development Manager, presented on membership value and led a workshop to help us draft value proposition statements for our chapter. Garret Munch and I used our chapter’s strategic plan as the basis for our statement, and we’re in the process of revising

it to share with everyone soon. This statement can evolve as our chapter sees fit. Lydia also emphasized the importance of clearly communicating the benefits of membership. For more details, check out Member Benefits on the website. I also picked up a handout outlining why ASLA membership is valuable for Emerging Professionals and employers. Let me know if you’d like a copy!

2. Succession Planning

While our chapter bylaws explain each Executive Committee member’s role, we don’t currently have a formal plan for transitioning positions. The St. Louis Chapter shared their approach; a guide for new board members that eases the transition and helps preserve institutional knowledge. Our Executive Committee will be exploring how to create a similar plan in the coming year. Interested in helping with this effort? Please reach out!

3. ASLA Career Discovery (K-12 Outreach)

ASLA offers several programs for chapters to engage K-12 students. STEM Literacy by Design provides children’s books, while Schoolyards in Bloom offers posters and activities for classroom visits. National also has activity kits and extra outreach materials the chapter can utilize for any events. Do you know a teacher that would like to have us talk about landscape architecture or are you interested in K-12 outreach? Contact me, and we’ll chat more!

4. Fostering Introductions & Connections

At CPC, chapters shared a common goal: building bridges between students, emerging professionals, and experienced members. Many chapters offer scholarships or grants, each with its own approach. The Iowa Chapter has been developing a LARE Grant and collecting feedback through a survey—if you haven’t responded yet, please do! Other chapters, like Florida, are surveying students

and professionals separately to better align their goals. Our Executive Committee is working on a survey for Iowa State students to gather their views and interests. I’m planning a meet-andgreet with the student chapter soon to discuss our initiatives and answer questions. Interested in mentoring or being mentored? Reach out!

5. Lobbying and Legislation

Several states have faced challenges related to licensure and board consolidation, and there’s a growing trend in advocacy and legislation. New bills about each of these topics and continuing education units are likely to spread, so it’s essential to stay informed. Our Chapter’s Legislative Breakfast (Advocacy Day) is set for March 19th next year. Last year, Dani Hodgson and Payton Anson prepared an informative document for Iowa’s legislators. This year, our chapter is considering a site tour to showcase our profession’s work. This tour would be in addition to the breakfast, and the goal would be to show legislators what we do and the impact of our work. Interested in helping plan a tour, create materials for legislators, or join the advocacy committee? Reach out to me or Payton Anson at payton.anson@bolton-menk.com.

ASLA National Conference in New Orleans

Several Iowa Chapter members attended the ASLA National Conference in New Orleans, participating in CPC meetings, BOT sessions,

educational sessions and networking opportunities. We had the following members present at the conference: Zach Peterson, Magdalena Aravena, Grant Thompson, and Chloe Gillespie! Congratulations and thank you for sharing your research and experience. A special thank you to Chris Della Vedova for his service on the National Executive Committee, and congratulations on finishing his threeyear term as Vice President of Finance. I also want to congratulate Garret Munch for not only completing his term as our chapter president and stepping into the Past President role but also stepping into the National ASLA Chapter President Council (CPC) Chair-Elect position. Our members’ dedication and effort truly highlight the commitment and talent within our chapter. Thank you for representing Iowa so well!

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your president this year. I look forward to collaborating with you all in the upcoming months. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and share your ideas, questions, or concerns!

Cheers,

madison dierks, PLA, ASLA iowa ASLA president

MIDWEST PLAYSCAPES DESIGNING THE FUTURE OF PLAY

For over 30 years, Midwest Playscapes has been designing innovative, inclusive, and sustainable play environments that bring communities together. From local parks and schools to custom destination playgrounds, we create spaces where all kids can thrive.

Now, we’re proud to unveil a refreshed brand identity that reflects our evolution while reaffirming our commitment to community-centered, sustainable play. With a new logo, visual style, and website, the rebrand is rooted in our core values of innovation, inclusion, and environmental stewardship.

Check out our latest project: Turtle Island Playground in Beloit, WI reopens May 30, 2025 — featuring an accessible merry-goround, sensory play panels, and shaded nature-inspired spaces, all shaped by community input.

Discover the new brand and explore our work at midwestplayscapes.com

Greetings from new orleans!

Trustee Update

It has been a busy start to the season for the Iowa Chapter and National ASLA.

lara guldenpfinnig

trustee hdr

UNL, Accreditation, and LAAB

September brought awareness to the possible elimination of the CRP and LA programs within the College of Architecture at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Using the combined efforts of iAdvocate, LAND, and social media, ASLA National obtained 2,587 petition signatures and sent 475 letters to the university in support of the program. Press releases were sent to local media outlets and ultimately connected NPR to Sarah Karle, UNL’s interim program director, for an interview that resulted in 85,000+ readers/ listeners.

Also in September, ASLA released a survey to all 76 institutions that house LA programs to determine the biggest threats and challenges their programs are facing; 48

programs responded. Some of the factors currently impacting program viability include lower enrollment (both stateside and internationally), budget reductions, and State and Federal legislations. With lack of enrollment and the threat of funding, the length of programs, and by association accreditation standards, will be impacted. The Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) is given decision-making authority by the ASLA Board of Trustees to ‘evaluate, advance, and advocate for the quality of professional landscape architecture education’. The board’s vision is to ‘bridge the gap between academia and practice worldwide to strengthen the connections between education and training’. Should programs lose their accreditation, defending licensure will become even more important. Michigan is currently facing deregulation as an active threat, while Florida has active concerns regarding their board’s elimination as well as their CEU requirements being eliminated. Alaska, Nevada, North Carolina, and Alabama have active concerns as well. If advocating for the profession ranks high on your to-do list, please consider volunteering!

While attending the 2025 CLARB Annual Meeting in Lexington in September, I was given the opportunity to explore the key initiatives of CLARB which go beyond the LARE and your Council Record. At its core, CLARB strives to promote consistent, defensible standards, also known as the Uniform Standard, which benefits the profession and the public. These standards are what certify our professional licenses and our abilities to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our communities. Through partnerships with IFLA and international research efforts, CLARB is also building pathways for professional practice across borders, further strengthening our profession worldwide. They also have a seat at the table addressing practice overlap as a

member of the Interorganizational Council on Regulation (ICOR). Together with architects, engineers, interior designers, and surveyors, they’ve taken a deep dive into creating a guideline resource that identifies acceptable overlaps as well as boundaries that must be maintained between these design disciplines. Efforts are ongoing and the resource will be released in early 2026.

National Conference Takeaways

October kicked off with our national conference in New Orleans, Louisiana with the theme ‘Beyond Boundaries’ and I took it upon myself to spend an extra few days there to learn more about the city and its history. When I wasn’t stuffing my face with beignets, doing a haunted cemetery tour, or participating in a Second Line, I attended the 2025 Board of Trustees meeting which delivered an enormous amount of wealthy information from ASLA National. Like last year, membership was high on the list of topics, and by association, membership dues. The Board of Trustees approved a strategic twoyear adjustment to membership dues with a $30 increase in both 2026 and 2027 resulting in the total cost of full membership to be $485 in 2027+. To keep up with current inflation while maintaining ASLA’s programming for members, this increase is necessary. The $30 increase for 2026 will deliver immediate value with the launch of ASLA’s new website which includes upgrades to the LACES platform, unlimited online learning for all members and free PPN’s. The $30 increase for 2027 will continue to improve upon our technology upgrades and allows for expansion to ASLA’s online course offerings. Annual online learning costs alone are $720 - $1,080 ($60$90 per month) for our profession and similar disciplines indicating a significant return on investment just for online learning. In addition, the Board approved a restructuring to the associate member timeline and a $15

increase in both 2026 and 2027 resulting in a total cost for associate membership to be $242.50 in 2027+. The associate member timeline will now streamline an emerging professional’s first 3 years in ASLA. ASLA has seen a 40% retention rate between the first and fifth years of the current associate membership structure and hope that by simplifying the associate membership dues consistently over their 3 years, associate member retention will improve. Dues will be 50% of the Full Member rate annually and in 2026, associate members will gain free access to the SKILL ED platform on ASLA’s new website, in addition to online learning and PPN’s.

The conference closed with the annual President’s Luncheon and the recognition of the 2025 ASLA Honor Award recipients. The individuals and organizations honored were inspirational to say the least. Attending the luncheon is one of my favorite events at the

national conference and I’ve been attending since being President-Elect in Nashville in 2021. I highly encourage you to attend this event whenever you are at the conference. The highlight was seeing Brad McCauley, sworn in as the 81st president of ASLA and listening to his remarks. To summarize his remarks:

“I stand before you humbled and honored to serve as your next president of ASLA. But this moment isn’t about me – it’s about you, it’s about our members, and the community that has sustained this Society for more than 125 years.

At its heart, ASLA is about connection. Humans need community, and this is the community for landscape architects. Across chapters, firms, schools, and generations, we are strongest when we share, support, and speak as one voice…. ASLA isn’t just a remarkable team in Washington or leaders on this stage. It’s all of us. It’s members mentoring students, firms supporting advocacy, chapters building community.

This isn’t a spectator sport. So yes, you asked for this — and now I’m asking you: keep showing up, keep raising your voice, keep building the profession together.

At the end of the day, landscape architecture just makes sense. It makes sense for communities, for health, for equity, for business, and for the planet.”

brad mccauley president - ASLA national

As always, please reach out to me with questions, concerns, and new ideas at: lara.guldenpfennig@hdrinc.com

Fall Semester Update from the department of landscape architecture

Acarl rogers

s we move into the final months of the fall semester, our landscape architecture programs are buzzing with energy and creativity. Across all levels of study, students are deeply engaged in fieldwork, community collaboration, and design exploration that demonstrate the diversity and vitality of our profession.

Looking Ahead: Final Reviews

Final review week is scheduled for December 8–12, with most studios holding reviews on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday afternoons. Once the complete schedule is confirmed, details will be shared so that professionals and alumni can plan to attend and support the next generation of designers.

department chair, landscape architecture

iowa state university

Studio Highlights

2nd Year BLA – Savanna Studio

The second-year students are wrapping up their second travel study trip this week. Their journey has taken them from the cultural landscapes of New Orleans to the barrier island environments of Grand Isle State Park, where they spent a night camping on the beach. The studio continues on to Arkansas before concluding in Kansas City— an immersive exploration of the ecological and cultural dimensions of the American South.

3rd Year BLA – Algona Riverfront Park

Third-year students are partnering with the City of Algona to develop concept design plans for a newly gifted property along the East Fork Des Moines River. Their work includes public engagement, programming, and conceptual design strategies that aim to shape a vibrant community park for future generations.

4th Year BLA – Council Bluffs Riverfront

In Council Bluffs, fourth-year students are reimagining a key riverfront site through the lens of urban design. Their projects explore how landscape architecture can reconnect city and river, enhance ecological function, and create dynamic public spaces.

5th Year BLA – Boone Parks Planning

The fifth-year class is collaborating with the Boone Parks and Recreation Department to develop a comprehensive park planning strategy.

Working in teams, students are producing conceptual designs for individual parks within the Boone system, aligning local needs with broader sustainability and recreation goals.

1st Year MLA – Representation and Land Art

First-year graduate students are focused on visual representation and land art as lenses to explore form, meaning, and process in landscape architecture. Their recent trip to Seattle, Washington offered opportunities to experience landmark projects and public artworks that integrate landscape, sculpture, and environmental design.

2nd & 3rd Year MLA – Mississippi River Towns

Advanced MLA students are engaged in a collaborative project with city officials in McGregor and Marquette, Iowa, examining the intertwined ecological and cultural relationships between these towns and the Mississippi River. Their design research and community engagement efforts aim to develop resilient, place-based strategies for riverfront adaptation and revitalization.

As these studios near completion, the work emerging from our programs continues to illustrate the depth of inquiry and commitment to community that defines landscape architecture education in Iowa. We look forward to sharing student work and welcoming ASLA members to campus for final reviews in December.

2025 fall gala + awards

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Iowa ASLA Fall Gala and Awards Presentation. The event was held at Mainframe Studios in Des Moines, a fitting backdrop for an evening centered on creativity, community, and connection. It brought together members, sponsors, colleagues, and friends to celebrate the people and projects that continue to shape the landscape architecture profession in Iowa.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our 2025 partners and sponsors. Their continued support allows us to create meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate as a chapter. It is through their generosity that we can host events like the Fall Gala and strengthen the voice of landscape architecture across the state.

This year’s program featured a special conversation, “Art in the Public Realm: Stories of Well-Being, Access, and Community.” We were honored to welcome an inspiring group of panelists:

Siobhan Spain, founding director of Mainframe Studios and a champion of creative ecosystems.

Maddy Fusco, freelance artist exploring humanity and nature through vibrant illustration.

Craig Miller, multidisciplinary visual artist highlighting the joy of everyday human connection.

Aaron Graves, landscape architect and park planner with the City of Des Moines, whose leadership has brought impactful public art projects to local communities.

Their discussion explored how art and landscape architecture intersect to shape spaces that are welcoming, accessible, and deeply rooted in community identity. They shared thoughtful stories about collaboration, the importance of early artist engagement, and how integrating creative expression into the public realm can inspire joy and belonging.

Finally, we offer heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us. Your presence and support are what make events like this truly special. The energy and sense of community in the room were a reminder of the passion that drives our profession forward.

President’s Medal

Each year, the sitting president has the honor of presenting the President’s Medal to someone who has gone above and beyond in service to the chapter and the landscape architecture profession.

This year, we recognize an individual who has continually stepped up, leading new initiatives, refreshing chapter programs, and supporting events that bring our members together. From reimagining our partnership package to enhancing our communications and planning cornerstone events like the Winter Social Trivia Night, Golf Outing, and the Fall Gala itself, their contributions have strengthened our chapter in countless ways.

It was my privilege to present the 2025 President’s Medal to Haley Mougin in recognition of her outstanding dedication and leadership.

Merit Award - Design, Built Willow Creek Riverwalk

Mason City, Iowa Confluence

As a result of ongoing improvements to downtown Mason City, the idea of engaging users at a gathering point south of the downtown core became an increasingly attractive possibility by city officials. As an existing municipal parking lot, the southernmost portion of downtown was largely inaccessible to residents and visitors. With the aid of the landscape architect, a plan for a riverwalk that creates a gateway into downtown and emphasizes placemaking through the celebration of heritage was created. This project attempts to weave a tapestry of solutions, multi-faceted issues and opportunities for Mason City in both a functional and artful manner. By connecting the community and creating this destination, we are able to honor the past of the community, address present stewardship opportunities, and ensure a future of stronger community ties.

Merit Award - Design, Built Des Moines University New Campus

West Des Moines, Iowa

RDG Planning & Design

Des Moines University’s new 88-acre campus transforms former agricultural fields into a vibrant, sustainable campus. The campus design centers on clear project values: to create a modern, highperformance academic environment rooted in the landscape and driven by sustainability. Drawing from the site’s glacial history, the design reintroduces native plantings and integrates stormwater systems that restore natural processes, improve water quality, and create flexibleoutdoor spaces. Various gathering areas and trail systems energize student life and invite community connection beyond the core of campus. The result is a campus at the “Edge of Advancement”, where education and the landscape converge to inspire future health professionals to celebrate care for the environment and human well-being.

Merit Award - Design, Built Athene Pedestrian Bridge

West Des Moines, Iowa

Shive-Hattery

The Athene Pedestrian Bridge is a landmark feature of West Des Moines’ Five Waters Project, enhancing regional connectivity and outdoor recreation. With 4,700 feet of new trail, a 620 foot bridge, and a 345-foot elevated ramp, this project spans the Raccoon River and links the City of West Des Moines’ Raccoon River Park with the Walnut Woods State Park and other key destinations. The project emphasizes environmental sensitivity by working around important existing vegetation, providing universal accessibility by featuring gradual slopes and opportunities for all people to interact with the bridge, and environmental graphic design and artistic enhancements that celebrate “place and nature”.

With a vision to “make a greater connection”, the project seeks to link people more deeply with key community natural resources.

Merit Award - Design, Built Evelyn K. Davis Park

Des Moines, Iowa

City of Des Moines

The goal of the Court Enrichment + Growth Culture Project was to develop a state-of-the-art amenity at Evelyn K. Davis Park that directly addressed community input, complemented existing park programming and provided opportunities for expansion. The project aimed to create accessible connections, incorporate shade and seating areas, support multigenerational use, and feature a holistic design.

It utilized construction techniques that required less short-term maintenance and ensured long-term sustainability, aligned with system standards, and implemented accessible local artwork. Additionally, it sought to integrate seamlessly into the King Irving Neighborhood and adjacent communities while establishing a premier outdoor basketball destination within the City of Des Moines Park system.

Honor Award - Design, Built

Des Moines Federal Courthouse

Des Moines, Iowa

Genus Landscape Architects

The Des Moines Federal Courthouse landscape — which is LEED Gold certified and on track for SITES Silver certification — is home to over 17,000 plants. The project accommodates a significant building program with strict governmental security requirements, largely addressed with thoughtful integration of topography and plant material. This 2-acre site in the heart of downtown Des Moines is comprised of three plant communities: the woodland, meadow, and wetland. Each community features plants typical of those mapped at the EPA Level III ecoregion and includes carefully selected plants that naturally occur within 200 miles of the site. The site also features a dynamic stormwater management system where constructed wetlands and underground rock storage chambers work in tandem to slow down and treat runoff.

Honor Award - Design, Unbuilt

The Hull at Eddy Woods

Brenton Arboretum, Dallas Center, Iowa

Genus Landscape Architects

Located within the serene and secluded Eddy Woods at the Brenton Arboretum, The Hull is a sculptural ecology viewing pod that offers visitors a unique opportunity to connect with both nature and history. Its weathering steel shell and undulating form evokes imagery of a walnut, paying homage to a 170-year-old walnut windbreak planted by the Brenton Family near their original homestead, settled in 1853. Perched on the hillside, The Hull invites visitors to immerse themselves in the arboretum’s rich history while providing a unique vantagepoint for observing the flora and fauna of the surrounding riparian woodlands and upland prairie.

Award of Excellence - Design, Unbuilt Westside Library Park

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Genus Landscape Architects

Guided by the aspirations of current residents, the Westside Library Park is a living framework for community resilience, cultural expression, and collective discovery. The project’s concept – “a library in a park and a park in a library” – reflects the potential synergies between the future park and future Westside Public Library immediately adjacent to it. The 15-acre site design includes a new public library, discovery garden, inclusive playground, water play area, multiuse sport courts, community gardens, and flexible open space that will support a variety of library and community events.

Merit Award - Communications Iowa Mayors’ Design Workshop Briefing Book

Ames, Iowa

Iowa State University College of Design, Extension & Outreach, Community & Economic Development, & College of Engineering

The Iowa Mayors’ Design Workshop Briefing Book is a foundational communication tool for an initiative that empowers mayors to address complex planning and design challenges. Developed by a multidisciplinary team, the book synthesizes site visits, research, mapping, and graphic communication into concise project briefs for six Iowa communities. Each brief outlines key issues—such as floodplain management, greenway trails, and stream restoration—framing them at the landscape-scale. The book fosters shared understanding among participating mayors and design professionals, guiding collaborative problemsolving during a two-day workshop. Its clarity and depth enable civic leaders to engage with design concepts and envision transformative strategies for their communities. The project exemplifies design literacy, professional stewardship, and the power of communication in shaping resilient, equitable places.

ISU tailgate!

derek hansen president-elect city of des moines

The Annual ISU Tailgate was a huge success for the IA Chapter this year! With great weather and our great sponsor Victory Stanley we couldn’t have asked for a better partner or day! Thank you to Confluence for allowing us to use their tailgating spot for the event as well. We had a blast seeing all the students, facility, and professions at the tailgate. We even had a chapter member of Illinois stop by because of our brand-new flag! Overall, the turnout was great, and we saw a tone of young professionals stop by the tailgate to celebrate before the game. Its events like this one that shows the success of the chapter and the profession continuing to push powerful connections in the landscape architecture community!

Thank you to all those who attended!

join us in keeping our park clean!

As part of an ongoing initiative to volunteer and keep the Chapter active within our communities, the IA-ASLA Chapter has adopted Grandview Park in Des Moines!

As part of this opportunity, we will be volunteering our time to pick up litter at the park four times a year.

Sundays from 10 - 11am

November 16, 2025

March 29, 2026

June 28, 2026

September 27, 2026

Interested in any of these dates? Sign up on our website HERE and we will be in contact (if you plan on bringing a friend, please sign them up separately - all are welcome).

If you have any questions, please contact Derek Hansen at:

dwhansen@dmgov.org

Though not technically part of the day, volunteers can continue afterwards to a designated spot for a lunch or small social hour! We hope to see many of you there!