Equity and Biodiversity: A Primer on Equitable Access to Biodiverse Landscapes - 1.0 PDH (LA CES/HSW)

José Juan is a CLARB Certified landscape architect, environmental scientist, and university professor with over 25 years of experience. Originally from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, he holds degrees from Mount Saint Mary’s College (Maryland), The University of Michigan, Yale University, and Harvard University. He has led teams in the corporate, governmental, and nonprofit sectors. Currently a Partner at MARVEL Architects and Landscape Architects, his work focuses on the intersection of ecology and design, including green infrastructure and sustainable urban design. José Juan is also a founding faculty member at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico's Master of Landscape Architecture program.

Myla is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources and Director of the Hutcheson Memorial Forest Center at Rutgers University and Senior Ecologist at Second Nature Ecology + Design. She earned her B.S. in Natural Resources from Cornell University, followed by her M.S. and Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from Rutgers University. With over 25 years of research, teaching, and practical experience, her work focuses on the ecological, environmental, and social drivers of biodiversity in urban landscapes. Dr. Aronson consults extensively with federal and municipal agencies, nonprofits, and design professionals to guide decision-making for resilient greening initiatives, with a focus on biodiversity conservation. Her recent work explores the intersections between urban biodiversity, ecological restoration, and human health and well-being.

Emily Bergeron is an Associate Professor of Historic Preservation and Associate Dean for Administration in the University of Kentucky’s College of Design. Her research and teaching explore the intersections of historic preservation and environmental justice. She approaches environmental justice through both the unequal distribution of burdens and equitable access to benefits, including the places and resources that support community well-being. Her work examines how policy and planning shape access to those benefits, with particular interests in nature, healthcare, and historic resources.

María is a licensed landscape architect and horticulturist who designs public landscapes where ecological function and community access are inseparable. Raised in Patagonia and Buenos Aires, Argentina, she learned early, and in her body, how nature sustains well-being, health, and social cohesion. After leading award-winning work at esteemed design firms, she founded SUR Landscape Architecture in Kansas City, where her practice centers on native plant design, urban watershed restoration, and accessible public space. She teaches visual communication to planning and urban design students at UMKC, serves on ASLA’s Biodiversity & Climate Action Committee and as VP of Advocacy for its Prairie Gateway Chapter, and leads Missouri Stream Team #7112. Across design, horticulture, and advocacy, she challenges assumptions about what urban landscapes can be, crafting places with health, prosperity, and joy at their core.

Deanna is a landscape designer with Wild Land Workshop in Monterey, California and incorporates her passion for ecological design and accessibility into projects along the coast of California. Her master’s project, Landscape Design for Carbon Sequestration, has become a valuable resource, winning an ASLA student research honor award. She has contributed as a researcher at Climate Positive Design, has advised on the ASLA Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan, and serves on the ASLA Climate and Biodiversity Action Committee. She holds an MLA from the University of Oregon and a BA in Music from the University of Southern California.

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.