
Making the Economic Case for Landscape Architecture
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Join a collective learning experience for the landscape architecture community. We will explore how to better understand the many economic benefits of nature-based solutions that landscape architects plan and design.
The series builds on the economic analyses ASLA released in 2024 and will help guide a new economic research plan for the landscape architecture community.
The series will explore:
- How economists and project stakeholders (governments, developers, insurance companies, etc.) understand the economic benefits of nature-based solutions and landscape architecture
- How landscape architects can better make the economic case for their projects
- Potential areas of economic research that can be advanced by ASLA, the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF), the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) and landscape architecture educators, partner organizations (ULI, etc.), and economists and market researchers
Image credit: ASLA 2018 Professional General Design Honor Award. Chicago Riverwalk | State Street to Franklin Street. Sasaki and Ross Barney Architects / © Christian Phillips Photography
This webinar series is underwritten by
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Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits Recorded On: 06/17/2025
The landscape architecture community has made major strides in communicating the economic benefits of nature-based solutions and landscape architecture. Last year, ASLA published a series of economic research briefs that synthesized existing research on economic benefits. The research also explored the economic benefits found in the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF)’s Landscape Performance Series Case Study Briefs. Learn how to leverage economic frameworks to make the case for your project.
The landscape architecture community has made major strides in communicating the economic benefits of nature-based solutions and landscape architecture. Last year, ASLA published a series of economic research briefs that synthesized existing research on economic benefits. The research also explored the economic benefits found in the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF)’s Landscape Performance Series Case Study Briefs. Learn how to leverage economic frameworks to make the case for your project.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the environmental benefit value of nature-based solutions.
- Learn how to assess and quantify the environmental benefits of nature-based solutions using case study guidance techniques, and how environmental economists apply economic methods to value these benefits.
- Develop the skills to effectively communicate the environmental value of nature-based solutions in an economic impact framework in landscape architecture.
Image credit: Thornton Creek Water Quality Channel, Seattle, Washington / MIG
This webinar is underwritten by HR&A. Megan Barnes, ASLA
Senior Program Manager
Landscape Architecture Foundation
Megan manages the Landscape Architecture Foundation's research programs including Case Study Investigation (CSI) program, Deb Mitchell Research Grant, and Landscape Performance Series initiatives. She also managed the Green New Deal Superstudio initiative (2020-2022). She has a diverse background in landscape architecture, international development, and nonprofit work. Megan has a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment.
Dr. Jennifer Egan, PhD
Program Manager, Environmental Finance Center, Environmental Economics & Conservation Finance
University of Maryland
Jennifer is a Program Manager at the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center, where she leads multidisciplinary projects in conservation finance. With a background as a professional geologist and training in environmental economics, she brings a unique combination of scientific insight and policy expertise to her work. Dr. Egan specializes in applying environmental economic tools to inform policy decisions, conduct technical analyses, and guide project design. Her current projects include conducting cost-benefit analyses for community resilience initiatives, estimating public health benefits of nature-based solutions, advancing community-led nature investment and valuation efforts, and supporting small communities in financing water and wastewater infrastructure.
Torey Carter-Conneen, Hon. ASLA (Moderator)
Chief Executive Officer
American Society of Landscape Architects
Torey joined ASLA as Chief Executive Officer in August 2020. Torey has more than 25 years of experience and expertise in strategic organizational development, tactical implementation, financial stewardship and administrative leadership. He has a proven track record as an innovator and thought leader in the association world, with an aptitude for pioneering strategies to shape organizational priorities, ensure financial stability, and invigorate member recruitment and retention programs.
Prior to joining ASLA, Torey served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Prior to his leadership at AILA, Torey was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Center for American Progress (CAP), COO and later Acting President and CEO at the LGBTQ Victory Fund and Institute, Divisional Controller of MV Transportation—a privately held North American transportation management corporation—and an auditor at a CPA firm.
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Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 09/03/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
Property insurers have been cautious about updating rates to account for nature-based solutions designed to reduce flood risks. They cite data and research gaps and argue more evidence is needed on how these solutions perform in comparison with grey or hybrid solutions. Learn how the Environmental Defense Fund, City of Boston, and Stone Living Lab are in the process of making the case for nature-based solutions. Their argument: these solutions result in lower risks and greater benefits for communities. Their work can change how insurers factor in these solutions when calculating new rates.
Property insurers have been cautious about updating rates to account for nature-based solutions designed to reduce flood risks. They cite data and research gaps and argue more evidence is needed on how these solutions perform in comparison with grey or hybrid solutions. Learn how the Environmental Defense Fund, City of Boston, and Stone Living Lab are in the process of making the case for nature-based solutions. Their argument: these solutions result in lower risks and greater benefits for communities. Their work can change how insurers factor in these solutions when calculating new rates.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:- Understand the evidence needed for property insurers to evaluate nature-based solutions.
- Learn how communities can develop the data needed to encourage property insurers to reduce rates.
- Develop the skills to effectively communicate the value of nature-based solutions and landscape architecture to clients and property insurers.
Image credit: Climate Ready East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts / Stoss Landscape Urbanism
This webinar is underwritten by HR&A. Talley Burley
Manager, Climate Risk & Insurance
Environmental Defense Fund
Talley Burley leads research and policy analysis focused on disaster, housing, and financial resilience to help ensure communities have equitable access to sustainable climate adaptation tools. Her work explores the evolving role of insurance in a changing climate and supports the development of policies that drive resilient outcomes.
Before joining EDF, she was a Senior Policy Advisor in the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice (MOCEJ), where she led housing and financial resilience initiatives and collaborated with local communities to advance transparent flood risk communication and adaptation strategies. She also worked on post-Hurricane Sandy recovery through the Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations (HRO).
Talley holds a B.A. in Political Science from American University and a Master’s in Urban Planning from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service.
Joe Christo
Co-Director of the Stone Living Lab and Chief Resilience Office
Boston Harbor Now
Joe Christo is an urban planner specializing in climate adaptation, with expertise in disaster preparedness and response, environmental justice, and community planning. His work supports making Boston, and other cities, more resilient, equitable, and thriving places to live and work.
Previously, Joe served as Senior Resilience and Waterfront Planner for the City of Boston, where he led climate adaptation infrastructure projects, the Fort Point Open Space Plan, and contributed to major initiatives like Climate Ready Boston and the Coastal Flood Resilience Zoning Overlay District. He also worked in the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, launching equitable infrastructure and economic mobility programs, and served on Mayor Marty Walsh’s COVID-19 disaster response team, helping stand up the Boston Hope field hospital.
Before returning to Boston, Joe spent seven years with the City of New York, contributing to Hurricane Sandy recovery, managing environmental assessments, expanding career access programs, and supporting emergency response efforts in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Earlier in his career, he was Communications Director for the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy.
Joe holds a Master’s in Community Planning from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Political Science from Northeastern University.
Christopher Osgood
Director of the Office of Climate Resilience
City of Boston
Chris Osgood has served the City of Boston since 2006 in a variety of leadership roles focused on collaboration, innovation, and delivering public value. His past positions include Chief of Streets, Chief of Staff, Mayoral Advisor, and co-founder of the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, where he helped launch initiatives at the intersection of civic engagement, infrastructure, and technology.
In his current work, Chris helps lead Boston’s all-of-government response to climate challenges such as coastal flooding, stormwater, and extreme heat. He also works across city departments to coordinate long-term infrastructure projects that enhance the resilience and livability of Boston’s neighborhoods.
A resident of Jamaica Plain, Chris is an alum of City Year, Haverford College, and the Harvard Business School.
Torey Carter-Conneen, Hon. ASLA (Moderator)
Chief Executive Officer
American Society of Landscape Architects
Torey joined ASLA as Chief Executive Officer in August 2020. Torey has more than 25 years of experience and expertise in strategic organizational development, tactical implementation, financial stewardship and administrative leadership. He has a proven track record as an innovator and thought leader in the association world, with an aptitude for pioneering strategies to shape organizational priorities, ensure financial stability, and invigorate member recruitment and retention programs.
Prior to joining ASLA, Torey served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Prior to his leadership at AILA, Torey was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Center for American Progress (CAP), COO and later Acting President and CEO at the LGBTQ Victory Fund and Institute, Divisional Controller of MV Transportation—a privately held North American transportation management corporation—and an auditor at a CPA firm.
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Contains 1 Component(s)
Webinar information coming soon