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NJASLA
Media Kit Receives National Support The Media Kit will be available for the members of the NJASLA Chapter and as a template for other chapters. We will work with Jeff Lofton and the Public Relations Department at ASLA in DC. The Media Kit will be available for other Chapters to adapt and tailor for their own use. The Media Kits will be distributed at the NJASLA Annual Meeting in February 2004 and throughout the remainder of the calendar year. The major emphasis of the distribution of the Media Kit will be in the calendar year 2004; however, this will continue to be an on going program with yearly updates and a volunteer support network. This is an ambitious schedule and cannot be achieved without strong support and action from each of you. The primary target audience will be non-ASLA members, general public, policymakers, allied professionals, educators, residential groups, etc. A secondary target will be Landscape Architects who are not currently members of the ASLA. Veronica Meadows, the co-developer of video and Powerpoint promotional presentations for CLARB will lend her expertise in the development of this project. While promoting or educating solely on what landscape architecture is and what landscape architects do is not the CLARB mission; CLARB is very interested in assisting in the development of information that would help educate legislators and other elected officials on how landscape architecture affects public health, safety and welfare and the benefits of regulating the profession. Member help is
welcome to make this project a showcase for Landscape Architects and
in particular, the New Jersey Landscape Architect. You could start the
ball rolling by sending Jack suggestions for two projected features
of the package: Send word of your support and your suggestions (w/photos if available) to Jack at jpcarman1@comcast.net. 
NJASLA
-- 2004 Awards Program Invitation To Enter Read the abbreviated materials included here, and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail at: deboer@aesop.rutgers.edu, or by phone at: 1-732-257-3017 (late afternoons/early evenings best). This year’s jury will be comprised of Fellows (mainly from the Executed Works Category) from New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia. The names of the jurors will be announced at a later date. I look forward to receiving the largest number of entries ever, and the opportunity to honor and reward the excellent design that is being done by the professionals in our state. Submission of your entry is simple - click here for more information. Note the December 1st deadline for submissions! Earn
Professional Development Hours While You Learn! Green
Laws: Designing With Community Landscape Codes November
13, 2003 This session will explore the landscape laws, tree laws and land alteration codes that are springing up across the country as a method of protecting, preserving or rebuilding nature in the city. These laws have certain design components and technical requirements that professional landscape architects, architects, and engineers must comply with under contemporary building regulations in some of America's towns and cities. Learning Outcomes:
Click here for a complete course description. ASLA
Makes It Easy to Earn Professional Development Hours Desktop Seminars are just an hour and a half in length and enable you to earn 1.5 PDH. These live, interactive sessions are delivered via telephone and PowerPoint slides or other graphical content are available at your desktop via the Internet. For more information, click here. LATIS enables you to earn five PDH for completing and passing a self-study exam. Self-study materials and exams are available on a variety of technical topics and can be downloaded here.
October
30 - November 3 November
4 – 6 November
13 – 14 November
15 November
12 - 14 Thanksgiving
Week Landscape
Design Professional Needed Landscape
Architect Needed We are looking for an energetic, self-starter who enjoys teamwork, takes pride in their work, and is looking for a chance to grow. All candidates should have excellent organizational skills, be an effective team player and have strong writing and graphic abilities. Proficiency with AutoCAD R14 and up is required. Proficiency with Photoshop and PageMaker is a plus! NJ or PA registration is not required. Salary is commensurate with experience and we offer excellent benefits. PCS is an equal opportunity employer. Please fax (215) 968-3649, mail or e-mail resumes including references, non-returnable samples of work and salary requirements to Evan J. Stone, Director of Landscape Architecture, 828-B Newtown Yardley Road, Newtown, PA 18940. estone@pcs-inc.biz. Pickering, Corts & Summerson, Inc. Announces Evan J. Stone, ASLA, RLA, Director of Landscape Architecture
Mr. Stone joins the Newtown Office as Director of Landscape Architecture, where he brings with him 17 years of experience in Landscape Architecture, Land Planning, Environmental Design, Urban & Rural Design, and Graphic Design. Prior to joining PC&S, Mr. Stone was an associate with Wells Appel Land Strategies where he spent the last five years providing project management and site design services for the new 450-acre Merrill Lynch corporate campus in Hopewell, NJ. A graduate of Penn State University, Mr. Stone provides his expertise to a diverse range of clients and projects including academic institutions, corporate campuses, assisted living communities, healthcare facilities, municipal park designs, commercial enterprises as well as local and state agencies. In addition, Mr. Stone’s talents extend to the local community as well, where he serves on the Northampton Township Planning Commission and Environmental Advisory Council. Toward
A Definition Of Olmstedian Principles Of Design |
Funding
Restored for Transportation Enhancements In testimony before the full House, member after member, Republican and Democrat, rose to speak of the true and lasting benefits of the Transportation Enhancements in their communities and for their constituents. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) testified, “This is the single most popular federal aid program in the entire federal transportation program.” An extraordinary coalition of support mobilized for the Transportation Enhancements. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) said, "Ever since the word about the cuts got out, I don't think a day has gone by that I have not received a call, a letter, a fax, or an email in support of the program." Both ASLA and NRPA played pivotal roles in gaining support for the Petri-Olver amendment. The citizen and professional members did an outstanding job mobilizing local, community-based support for the TE program. State affiliate executive directors and state association presidents played a central role in getting the word out. Staff of the Public Policy Office in Washington worked to get information and action alerts out to NRPA members. Congressional staffers of House of Representatives members were deeply impressed by the extraordinary level of support from park and recreation advocates. ASLA and NRPA members can take great pride in contributing to this successful outcome. Our advocacy in action led the fight to restore dedicated funds for 2004, and it will bode well for the coming multi-year reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act. Governor McGreevey Forms Task Force to Protect Highlands: Open Space Preservation and Safeguarding Drinking Water Supplies Top Priorities
Will The LA Involved Please Step Forward Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell has announced the creation of the Highlands Task Force during the Highlands Coalition Annual Meeting held in Ringwood State Park, Passaic County. "The Highlands is a critical resource that is experiencing tremendous pressure from population growth and development. Every effort must be made to aggressively preserve remaining open space and safeguard the region's precious water supplies," said Governor McGreevey. "I've charged the Task Force to identify steps needed to preserve the Highlands, while providing smart growth opportunities for local communities and maintaining our quality of life." As outlined in a signed executive order, Governor McGreevey formally directed the Task Force to examine legislation, regulations, model local ordinances or other government action necessary to pursue the following goals:
Identification of methods to promote historic, cultural, scenic and recreational resource opportunities that preserve the natural features of the Highlands region; and Provide smart growth opportunities, including economic development and redevelopment, in the Highlands region through regional planning, including coordination of transportation and infrastructure investments and administrative agency activities, consistent with State Development and Redevelopment Plan (2001). The Task Force will hold public meetings and present recommendations to the Governor regarding the above mentioned issues within six months. Please inform NJASLA of a public hearing in your area. "We cannot afford to let unchecked sprawl jeopardize a nationally significant area that provides water for half of New Jersey residents and supports critical wildlife habitat," said DEP Commissioner Campbell. "Governor McGreevey has set an aggressive timeline for the Task Force to establish a Highlands action plan to address the mounting threats to this precious natural treasure." Since 1984, 65,000 acres - nearly 100 square miles - of the Highlands region have been lost to development, and sprawl and the pace of development in the region has dramatically increased. The rate at which forested lands and wetlands have been lost has more than doubled since 1995. "We applaud the Governor's continued leadership on the Highlands. He has put forward a clear charge and set in motion an inclusive and thoughtful process to ensure the long-term protection of this threatened region of water, beauty and life," said Executive Director of the Highlands Coalition, Thomas A. Gilbert. The Highlands region is an area that extends from northwestern Connecticut across the lower Hudson River Valley and northern New Jersey into east central Pennsylvania. The New Jersey portion of the Highlands region is greater than 1,000 square miles, covering portions of seven counties and 90 municipalities. The Highlands region is an essential source of drinking water, providing clean and plentiful drinking water for one-half of the state's population, including communities beyond the Highlands region. In addition, the Highlands region contains other exceptional natural resources such as clean air, contiguous forest lands, wetlands, pristine watersheds and plant and wildlife species habitats. The region contains sites of historic significance, and provides abundant recreational opportunities. Approximately 110,000 acres of agricultural lands are in active production in the New Jersey Highlands region. Governor McGreevey's proposal to increase open space funding for the Highlands region will be presented to New Jersey voters as a ballot question this November. In his State of the State address, the Governor pledged to dedicate an additional $50 million over the next three years for open space preservation in the Highlands, as well as implementing a limited time capital gains tax waiver for those landowners who sell their property to the state's open space program. The 19-member Task
Force will include cabinet members DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell;
Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin; Department
of Agriculture Secretary Charles Kuperus; Department of Transportation
Commissioner Jack Lettiere; and the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary
of the Commerce and Economic Growth Commission William Watley. Additional
members of the Task Force include: Lois Cuccinello, Passaic County Freeholder;
Val Huddle, Bergen County Freeholder; Mayor Frank Van Horn, Knowlton;
Tom Gilbert, Executive Director Highlands Coalition; Tom Gilmore, Executive
Director, Audubon Society, NJ; Michele Byers, Executive Director, Conservative
Foundation; David Epstein, Executive Director, Morris Land Conservancy;
Joe Riggs, K. Hovanian; Tammy Horsfield, Sussex County Chamber of Commerce,
and Malcolm Borg, member of the public. The Governor will name the McGreevey
Continues Efforts To Protect Open Space, Drinking Water, And Fight Sprawl
A Clarion Call To Landscape Architects To Redouble Our Activities In
This Area Of Practice "Brownfields achieve that balance by returning contaminated, abandoned sites to productive use, while protecting limited open space where development might otherwise occur," continued the Governor. "No one likes the sight of empty, blighted buildings on our highways and in our towns. But on November 4, the public can help bring these sites back to life." Governor McGreevey toured the American Chrome & Iron Oxide brownfield site in Elizabeth, which is slated for new housing and recreational use. Joining him on the tour were members of the Clean and Green Coalition, a newly-formed group of statewide business, industry and environmental groups and municipal officials who are working together to remind voters that on November 4 they have an opportunity to support brownfield redevelopment with Public Question No. 2. Michael McGuinness, Executive Director of NJ-NAIOP and head of the Clean & Green Coalition said, "We are proud to help lead the way to becoming one of the first states to create a stable and permanent source of funding for the cleanup and redevelopment of New Jersey's abandoned and contaminated sites." Public Question No. 2 is a proposal to establish a long-term funding source to help clean up and redevelop approximately 10,000 contaminated or underutilized sites throughout the Garden State. If voters approve, up to $50 million would be available the first year alone, without any additional cost to taxpayers. The ballot proposal would expand the use of Corporate Business Tax revenues dedicated to the state's underground storage tank program, which has a current surplus of $100 million that cannot be fully used. The ballot proposal would allow the state to provide municipalities and businesses with loans and grants, using at least 50 percent of the existing $100 million surplus as well as future revenues, which generate a total of about $20 - 30 million each year. If voters approve the ballot proposal, municipalities will be able to apply for grants and loans of up to $2 million per year for investigation and cleanup activities. Private parties required to perform remedial activities and individuals who want to conduct such actions voluntarily may qualify for loans of up to $1 million per year if they are unable to obtain private funding. The ballot proposal also earmarks up to $2 million per year for an underground storage tank inspection program. This inspection program will assist tank owners to identify leaking tanks and correct small problems before they become serious environmental concerns. The American Chrome & Iron Oxide site in Elizabeth is part of the Elizabeth Port Brownfield Development Area. This area includes seven brownfield sites that represent more than 200 acres of land that when remediated can meet housing, education, community, commercial and open space/recreation needs in Elizabeth. The McGreevey Administration's Brownfield Development Area initiative is designed to help communities affected by multiple brownfield sites coordinate their efforts to spur redevelopment of residential, industrial and commercial neighborhoods. Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage said, "Whether you are building the largest outlet mall in the state or neighborhood soccer fields, securing funds for this transformation process will only advance and assist municipalities. Cleaning and developing underutilized and abandoned sites throughout New Jersey is critical to the vitality of our urban centers. These projects create additional ratables for municipalities, yield additional revenue for the state, revitalize communities and contribute to an overall improved quality of life."The McGreevey Administration has worked aggressively to create innovative programs to promote brownfield redevelopment. The Governor signed legislation expanding tax reimbursements for projects that convert brownfield sites into residential development. The Governor also provided $40 million in funding for brownfield investigation and cleanup projects through the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund. Since fund's inception 10 years ago, EDA has invested $100 million for 1,000 brownfield projects. Since the Governor took office, he has invested nearly $14.6 million to fund 156 brownfields projects. This same fund would be used in the future to distribute the stable source of monies for brownfield loans and grants called for in the ballot initiative. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) will partner to administer the funding program. The two agencies provide environmental and financial review of remediation projects. Last month, the Administration also launched a new Cleanup Star program to expand the role of environmental consultants by allowing those pre-qualified by DEP to work with developers and responsible parties to expedite site cleanups and redevelopment. DEP also has been working on brownfield to greenfield projects to meet the need for parks and open space, especially in older suburban and urban areas. "Restoring New Jersey's 10,000 sites where the landscapes have been blighted by improper use of hazardous waste is a key component of the Governor's smart growth agenda," said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "New funding initiatives will help us restore those tainted sites and channel new development to our cities and towns. They will also provide a broader range of choices and more livable communities for the state's businesses and families."EDA Chief Executive Officer Caren S. Franzini added, "The state has already committed over $100 million to over 1,000 brownfields projects through the HDSRF. By providing a stable source of funding to the Fund for brownfield investigation and remediation, we are providing municipalities and developers with the tools they need to restore economic viability to abandoned, contaminated eyesores in their communities." Brownfield sites are properties that are, or may be, contaminated with hazardous substances and are either abandoned or sitting idle and underutilized. These sites threaten the environment, drain the economy and spoil the quality of life in New Jersey's communities. Voters can learn more about the ballot initiatives at: www.state.nj.us/dep/antisprawl/ballot. Conservation Planning, Healthy Community Design and Brownfield Redevelopment will all be topics at the NJASLA Annual Meeting and Exposition, February 9-11, 2004, so save those dates. State
Joins Forces with Nonprofit and Local Governments to Preserve Horse
Farm in Developed Area of Camden County "Every effort
must be made to prevent development from consuming properties like Stafford
Farm that are the last significant parcel of open space in a densely
developed area," said DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell. "Thanks
to a strong cooperative effort between the nonprofit community and all
levels of government, area families and future generations will be ensured
public access to this open space without the threat of future development." With state and local funding support, the Trust for Public Land has executed a contract with the landowners, and closing is expected to occur by the end of 2003. "The partnership to preserve Stafford Farm is a model for cooperative preservation efforts," said Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus. "As a result, this beautiful horse farm will forever remain open and productive, and an asset to this community and our agricultural industry for generations to come." "This is a wonderful example of how government works together for the people," said Freeholder Director Jeffrey L. Nash. "I commend the members of our county open-space committee, Voorhees Mayor Harry Platt, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the state Department of Environmental Protection and, of course, The Trust for Public Land for their considerable effort and co-operation in preserving this beautiful, high-profile property for all of Camden County's residents to enjoy." Since Governor McGreevey took office last year, the state Green Acres program has acquired 43,492 acres of open space, and the State Agriculture Development Committee has preserved 310 farms covering 25,516 acres. Five years ago, voters approved a constitutional dedication of $98 million annually over the next 30 years to provide a stable source of funding for open space purchases, farmland preservation and historic preservation. Public Question No. 1, a constitutional amendment, proposes to increase the bonding capacity of the Garden State Preservation Trust to $1.15 billion, an increase of $150 million from the $1 billion voters approved. The increased bonding would place no additional costs on New Jersey taxpayers. The sales tax dedicated in 1998 to pay off Garden State Preservation Trust bonds would cover these additional bonds by taking advantage of today's lower interest rates. At least $50 million of the additional funding will be used to create and improve parks in cities and suburbs over the next three years as part of Governor McGreevey's reforms to the Green Acres program. The additional money would help meet New Jersey's growing demand for open space. A minimum of $50 million also would be spent on open space purchases and farmland preservation in the Highlands, a critical environmental resource that is the source of drinking water for more than a third of New Jersey's residents. "Preservation of our open space and farmland resources today helps ensure livable communities and desirable landscapes for tomorrow. New Jersey voters have consistently supported measures to provide funding for the preservation of our natural resources. We expect that this November 4 will be no different," said Leigh Rae, New Jersey field office director of the Trust for Public Land. The farm property has been in the Stafford family for more than 225 years. It became a horse farm in the 1960s and is the last reflection of Voorhees Township's agrarian past. Voorhees Township consists of five percent remaining open space. State
to Plant 1,500 Trees in City of Trenton: Will
The LA Involved Please Step Forward "By planting trees in New Jersey's urban areas, we can absorb more air pollution, significantly cool elevated temperatures in cities, lower energy costs and improve the overall quality of life in our urban communities," said DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell. "Simply put, urban trees make our cities cleaner, more pleasant, and more affordable places to live." To reap the environmental, health and economic benefits of urban trees, DEP and BPU launched Cool Cities to green New Jersey's large cities through tree planting efforts that will help reduce the demand for electricity and lower energy consumption. Cool Cities is funded by BPU's Clean Energy Program. BPU has committed to $2 million in funding for the initial phase of Cool Cities, planting 3,000 trees this year. "The Urban Forest Energy Efficiency Initiative is a smart investment in the quality of life for city residents," said Jeanne M. Fox, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. "That is why the BPU New Jersey Clean Energy Program is committing $2 million to plant 3,000 trees this year. Trees conserve energy and help to make our cities attractive places to live and work. They also reduce incoming solar radiation by approximately 90 percent and through the absorption of sunlight energy, evaporation, and a reduction in heat-trapping air pollutants - trees will help reduce the heat effect on city streets during the summer." The New Jersey Tree Foundation, volunteers and 40 children from the Mott School in Trenton helped launch the Cool Cities Trenton project by planting approximately 25 green ash shade trees near the school. Other targeted cities are being identified and will be announced upon implementation. "Today's Mott School event represents just one of many joint initiatives between our city and DEP," said City of Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer. "Like all our teamwork, this is a strategic and significant collaboration. Our city has made major strides on recycling, developing urban parks, and cleaning up brownfields, and we have been able to be much more effective because of the leadership of Brad Campbell and Governor McGreevey. Today we are very proud to extend that relationship, to use urban forestry in ways that will create yet another smart safeguard for our environment." Temperatures in urban settings are often five degrees above surrounding suburbs and rural areas, which is referred to as the 'urban heat island' effect, and trees can help lower these urban temperatures by as much as six to nineteen degrees. This increase in temperature is bad for many urban residents' health. Hotter weather increases the frequency of heat-related health problems, such as heat exhaustion, and induces more asthma attacks, as the heat concentrates air pollution and speeds up smog formation. In addition, higher temperatures result in more expensive utility bills as residents run their air conditioners longer. Why
Plant Trees? Because: |
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