Newsletter-2026_Vol I

WINTE R

Editor’s Note

Three Cheers to a New Year!

As the new Editor for Foliage, I would like to formally introduce myself.

My name is Bailey Galusha, a Landscape Designer at JBC Landscape Architects and an Iowa State University Alumni. I look forward to bringing you all the chapter updates and fun events we have planned for this year.

As always, we welcome any feedback to continually improve the newsletter, and receive any articles that you would like to share with your fellow members.

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

bailey galusha, ASLA iowa ASLA secretary

Greetings from Madison!

Hello All,

MADISON DIERKS

president confluence

This past year has been filled with activity and support from both members and partners. We hosted new events, started new volunteer efforts, and revamped our advocacy efforts. From a national perspective, ASLA has continued to invest in research, education, and community outreach for a sustainable future. I encourage you all to take a look at the national website, which has been updated after a lot of behindthe-scenes effort from the staff at National.

In October at the ASLA National Conference, chapter leadership was encouraged to create a value proposition statement (VPS) to communicate the benefits our chapter provides its members. This VPS is meant to be a living document that changes as the goals, desires and needs for the chapter evolve. Using the goals outlined in our 2018 Strategic Plan we developed the following statement for the chapter: We help all levels of our membership promote landscape

architecture through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship; so we can ensure the growth of the profession across Iowa and the region.

As we end 2025 and move into 2026, the Executive Committee is working to align our chapter committees with the goals of using our 2018 Strategic Plan and VPS providing opportunities for members to get involved in initiatives they feel passionate about. The executive committee has been hard at work to nail down next year’s calendar for social, educational and advocacy events. The website has our most up to date calendar with our first event kicking off with a Winter Social on January 29th at Twisted Vine Brewery at 5:30 pm with Trivia starting at 6:15 pm.

Our Firm and Partnership Program have been sent out for 2026, and I want to use this as an opportunity to once again thank all our firms and partners that help keep our Chapter strong. Without their continued support we would not be able to accomplish all our educational, advocacy and fellowship goals.

Lastly, I’d like to thank each of you for your continued commitment to the profession and the chapter. I wish you a happy start to the new year!

Cheers,

madison dierks, PLA, ASLA iowa ASLA president

spring momentum at isu landscape architecure

Carl Rogers department chair, landscape architecture iowa state university

The start of the spring semester always brings a renewed sense of energy to campus, and this year is no exception for the Department of Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University. Our studios are back in full swing, hallways are buzzing with conversation and critique, and students are once again immersed in the work of imagining, testing, and shaping resilient landscapes. Spring is a season of momentum, and this semester carries particular significance for our department and our broader professional community.

One of our major milestones this spring is the upcoming accreditation visit for both our undergraduate and graduate landscape architecture program, scheduled for March 1-5. Accreditation offers an important opportunity for reflection - on who we are, what we teach, and how we prepare students for professional practice. Over the past months, faculty, staff,

and students have been deeply engaged in assessing our curriculum, culture, and facilities, and we look forward to sharing that work with the visiting team. Most Importantly, the process highlights the collective commitment we share with the profession to design excellence, ethical practice, and meaningful engagement with environmental and social challenges.

This season of reflection and momentum aligns perfectly with the IA ASLA Spring Conference on February 24th. The chapter will be sending out further details about the conference soon. The conference provides a vital space for connection between students, educators, and practitioners across the state and region, and we are especially excited to once again host the P.H. Elwood Lecture as part of this year’s program.

We are honored to welcome Claudia West, Principal of Phyto Studio, as the 2026 Elwood Lecturer. Claudia’s work has been instrumental in reframing how designers think about plant communities, maintenance, and long-term landscape performance. Her leadership in advancing ecologically driven, plant-centered design resonates strongly with the values we aim to instill in our students and reflects

the evolving role of landscape architects in addressing climate resilience and biodiversity. We are thrilled for students and professionals alike to engage with her ideas and experience.

As the semester unfolds, we are grateful for the continued support and partnership of IA ASLA and the professional community. From accreditation to conference conversations, this spring reminds us that education and practice are deeply interconnected - and that the future of the profession is shaped through collaboration, curiosity, and shared commitment.

We look forward to seeing many of you on February 24th and to continuing these conversations throughout the semester.

Go Cyclones!

Meet the Committee

Iowa ASLA has proudly served as a trusted professional resource, uniting landscape architects and design professionals across the state. As a chapter, we are committed to connecting our members with peers, projects, and meaningful opportunities while fostering an inclusive community where all feel welcomed, valued, and supported.

The 2026 IASLA Committee is dedicated to upholding the highest national standards, hosting impactful events and conferences, and, above all, championing landscape architects at every stage of their careers. It is an honor to serve you, and we look forward to an inspiring and successful year ahead!

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.

MADISON DIERKS

PLA, ASLA

President

Confluence

Garret munch

PLA, ASLA

Past President / National CPC

Chair Delegate

Shive-Hattery

derek hansen

ASLA President-Elect

City of Des Moines

lara guldenpfennig

PLA, ASLA Trustee

HDR

John aceto

PLA, ASLA Vice President

Confluence

Jared Dobesh

PLA, Associate ASLA Treasurer

Confluence

bailey galusha

ASLA

Secretary

Jeffrey L. Bruce Company

Hans Klein-hewett

PLA, ASLA

Member-At-Large

Iowa State University

Payton Anson

Associate ASLA

Associate Member-At-Large

Bolton & Menk, Inc.

Tanner Volk

PLA, MBA, ASLA

Member-At-Large

Snyder & Associates

susan pegg

Associate ASLA

Associate Member-At-Large

Jeffrey L. Bruce Company

Haley Mougin

Associate ASLA

Public Relations Chair

Confluence

carl rogers

Department Chair

Education Chair

Iowa State University

year in review: our online footprint

haley mougin p.r. chair confluence

At the beginning of the year, we set the goal of having more uniformity and engagement across all of our platforms in order to make sure members were getting the information they needed, while also trying to share new things they hadn’t seen before.

Check out some of our insights from the past year and be sure to follow us!

• GAINED 75 FOLLOWERS

• CURRENTLY AT 540

• GAINED 110 FOLLOWERS

• ABOUT TO BREAK 1,000!

• CREATED A LINKEDIN ACCOUNT

• GAINED 169 FOLLOWERS

TOP POST OF 2025

DURING WORLD LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MONTH, A POST WAS SHARED ABOUT OUR 2025 PRESIDENT THAT ENDED UP SEEING ALMOST 7,000 VIEWS!

(GARRET LIKES TO THINK IT’S BECAUSE OF HIS DOG, GUS)

• ALMOST 23,000 IMPRESSIONS AND 5,942 PEOPLE REACHED OVER THE YEAR

2026 Events

JANUARY

20th: First Day of ISU Classes

29th: Winter Social @ Twisted Vine

march

1st - 6th: ISU Accreditation

11th - 13th: LA BASH

16th-20th: ISU Spring Break

19th: Legislative Breakfast at Iowa State Capitol AND ASLA Outing

29th: Trash Bash (Location TBD)

FEBrUARY

19th: ASLA Outing

24th: Spring Conference in Ames

april

15th-17th: ASLA Central States

23rd: ASLA Outing

may

4th - 8th: ISU Dead Week

11th - 15th: ISU Finals Week

14th: ASLA Golf Outing

21st: ASLA Outing

19th-25th: Ragbrai

30th: ASLA Top Golf Outing july

18th: ASLA Outing

28th: Trash Bash (Location TBD) june

20th: ASLA Outing

24th: First Day of Fall Semester August

16th-18th: National Conference

27th: Trash Bash (Location TBD) september

19h: ASLA Outing

30th: Call for 2027 Sponsors november

15th: ASLA Outing

TBD: ASLA Tailgate october

4th: ASLA Outing

8th-12th: ISU Review Week December

15th-19th: ISU Finals Week

For the full calendar please visit our event page

legislative breakfast

Please join us Thursday, March 19, 2026, for the Legislative Breakfast at the Des Moines Capitol.

IASLA has partnered with our legislative liaisons, Cope Murphy + Co., to host this great event. We encourage firms, students, and professionals to join us by educating and talking to elected officials face-to-face and discuss landscape architecture and the way it provides value across the state.

We will be presenting the chapter’s Advocacy Booklet in a similar format to last year. This format allows the booklet to be shared in person at breakfast and for legislators to view the booklet on our website later.

We are asking our members to submit built project to be featured in this year’s booklet. If you are interested, please sent the following information to excomm@iaasla.org by Wednesday, February 25th, 2026.

• Project Name

• Project Type

• Project Location (include city, county, and legislative district)

• Client Name

• Contributors

• 1-3 high quality images (5 megabyte minimum per image)

• Short Project Description

We look forward to seeing you there!

winter social trivia at twisted vine

p.r. chair confluence

In late January, we hosted the first social event of the year alongside with our partner, Outdoor Recreation Products. Folks were able to test their knowledge and enjoy a night of pizza and fun!

Family, Friends, and Colleagues were able to come together to create the strongest team and win the prestigious title of trivia champion.

Thank you again to Outdoor Recreation Products for sponsoring the night and thank you to all the teams that were able to join in the fun! We hope to see you at the next social event!