Actions Behind the Actions: Getting to Work on LA 2040 - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/HSW)

Recorded On: 09/18/2026

ASLA Climate and Biodiversity Action Committee leaders share lessons they've learned as they get to work on LA 2040 targets within their own organizations. From implementing change and building literacy to finding alignment and gaining momentum, discover how to prioritize, overcome roadblocks, and expand strategic action beyond the "sustainability club."

Learning objectives:

Map LA 2040 objectives to your work to prioritize what matters most and accelerate meaningful action.
See how implementation really happens, gaining insight into the "actions behind the actions" that turn intention into progress.
Apply strategic iteration to improve the process as you gain momentum.
Build literacy and frame the work with clarity; achieving greater alignment and confident collective action that's resilient to roadblocks.

Amy C. Syverson, ASLA, SITES AP, TRUE Advisor

Sustainability Lead

Landscape Forms

Amy Syverson‑Shaffer is the Sustainability Lead at Landscape Forms, where she advances environmental stewardship and responsible manufacturing. With a background in landscape architecture, she brings a designer’s perspective to industry and collaborates across disciplines to drive meaningful change, She progresses the company's long-term sustainability roadmap through initiatives in product life cycle assessment, zero‑waste manufacturing, renewable energy, ecological restoration, and more. Amy serves on the ASLA Biodiversity and Climate Action Committee and the Landscape Architecture Foundation Board, frequently presenting on sustainability strategies. She was recently honored with ASLA’s Outstanding Service Award in recognition of exceptional leadership in sustainability and industry collaboration.

Mariana Z. Ricker, ASLA, PLA

Associate Principal

SWA Group

Mariana is passionate about place-based, sustainable design. In her work as a licensed landscape architect, Mariana seeks to create a vibrant public realm, connect people to the environment, and develop targeted strategies to accomplish the project vision. At SWA, she leads a wide range of projects, from community parks to district-scale urban development and planning around the Bay Area and beyond. Mariana is committed to climate action and advancing sustainability efforts within her project work, professionally, and at a firm-wide level with SWA's Climate Action Plan. She is co-chair of ASLA’s National Climate Subcommittee and is an active ULI member.

Jordan Clark, Affil. ASLA, SITES AP

Director of Design Performance & Sustainability

TBG Partners

As TBG’s Director of Design Performance & Sustainability, Jordan is a firmwide resource for growing ecological and climate literacy, developing and implementing sustainable design standards, supporting goal-setting, and tracking project impacts. With a educational background in ecological design, he seeks to bring a holistic approach to design projects of all scales. His professional design and planning experience has centered on the intersection of green infrastructure and active mobility. Jordan also serves on the ASLA Climate & Biodiversity Action Committee and represents District 1 on the Dallas Environmental Commission.