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
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Contains 1 Component(s) Includes a Live Web Event on 06/17/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
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
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 with the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center. She has worked as professional geologist and principal scientist on multidisciplinary water resource projects and research. She provides technical and regulatory expertise, project planning and design with a focus on cost-effective and sustainable solutions for clients. Her experience includes working with stakeholders to provide holistic watershed management, planning, and research; hydrologic and hydraulic modeling; wetland delineation; stream and wetland design and mitigation; permitting and legal expertise; flood and stormwater project analysis and design, including climate resiliency and dam removal research publication.
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
Description and learning objectives coming soon!
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Contains 1 Component(s)
Webinar information coming soon
Description and learning objectives coming soon!
