A Conversation with Congress: How Landscape Architects Green Schools - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/non-HSW)

Recorded On: 10/07/2024

This session will explore how landscape architects can increase opportunities to green schools through advocacy and promotion of the values of these spaces. Using case studies, policy insights, and practical strategies, landscape architects will learn how to shape and advocate for legislation to implement nature-based solutions in the education environment.

Learning objectives:

Learn how landscape architects can increase opportunities within the profession by advocating for green schools.
Learn about federal policies and legislation that aim to green schools and their implications for landscape architects.
Learn about landscape architecture projects that successfully integrated green design principles into school environments.
Learn about opportunities and community engagement techniques for landscape architects to engage with policymakers to advance green school initiatives.

Gregory Miller, FASLA, PLA

Principal Landscape Architect

Pland Collaborative

Gregory Miller, FASLA is a Principal Landscape Architect with the firm Pland Collaborative in Albuquerque, New Mexico. One of Greg’s primary project focus areas is creating play environments for schools that provide for holistic childhood development. He has been a featured speaker at local, regional, and national conferences about creating sensory rich school environments that support the academic, social, physical, and emotional wellbeing of students. He has worked with urban, rural, and Native American tribal school districts to establish a comprehensive approach that establishes aspirational design goals within the sometimes rigid boundaries of safety, maintenance, and budget.

Rumer Alleyne-LeGendre

Senior Legislative Assistant

Office of Congresswoman Velázquez

Rumer LeGendre is a native New Yorker and graduate of The City College of New York, where she majored in Political Science. She currently serves as Senior Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Velázquez handling a policy portfolio that includes environment/energy, education, health, agriculture, and natural resources committee work. Rumer is interested in environmental justice work and believes we must center policy conversations on those most vulnerable to the harsh effects of the climate change crisis. She is passionate about public service at both the local and federal level and hopes to continue to make meaningful policy contributions in the future.

Claire Latané, FASLA

Chair of Landscape Architecture

Cal Poly Pomona

Claire Latané, FASLA, MLA, is Chair of Landscape Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona. Her award-winning book, Schools That Heal: Design with Mental Health in Mind, provides background research, design strategies, communication methods, and case studies for making school environments that nurture a sense of belonging, provide nature-filled places, and inspire awe. She founded the Collaborative for Healthy and Inclusive Learning Environments (CHILE), which partners design students with k-12 schools and community organizations to co-create learning environments that support public health, equity, and climate resilience.