Texas ASLA Conference Boasts Renewal Theme, Sustainability Experts

Online, April 7, 2011 (Newswire.com) - There's a wave headed towards Galveston, a rolling tide of professionals who dedicate their careers and passion to the planning, design, management, preservation and rehabilitation of the land. They are members or business partners of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA.) The Texas ASLA's yearly conference will be April 28th and 29th at Moody Gardens in Galveston. This year's theme: Say Hello to Renewal!

"We chose Moody Gardens because it is a truly beautiful destination, housed in a community that embraces conservation and rehabilitation." said Kolby Davidson, State Conference Chair. "And at the same time, by hosting the conference in Galveston, we can show our support for the local economy as it continues recovery from Hurricane Ike."

The conference is blended like a rich soil. Attendees and vendors come back each year to enjoy an engaging combination of professional networking, learning opportunities, top-notch exhibits and recognition for outstanding work.

The speaker list for the Texas ASLA 2011 Conference is shaping up to be, well, as big as Texas! We're pleased to announce an impressive roll call of experts joining us in Galveston this April.
Here's a look at just a few of the folks who'll be leading talks:

o Lisa Horne
Lisa Horne has visited and investigated many noteworthy landscapes across the East Coast, Germany and Texas. A combination of strong technical writing and analytical skills allowed her to document these landscapes in the spirit of Clare Cooper Marcus's post occupancy evaluations. She graduated from Texas A&M University, Summa Cum Laude and now works in San Antonio.
o Mike Serant
Mike started San Jacinto Environmental Supplies in 1984, one of the state's largest suppliers of professional grade Organics to the landscape industry. SJE has manufactured its own Organic fertilizers since 1994. Their client list consists of Landscape Architects, College Campuses, Hospitals, Sports Associations, High Schools, HOA's and for profit landscape contractors. Mike is a leading educator and proponent of Organic Landscape Management Programs. He has been married 22 yrs with an 18 year old son. Mike is currently serving as Chair for the Organic Horticulture Business Alliance (OHBA).
o Jackie Cole
Jackie Cole is the chair of the City of Galveston Tree Committee and the president of the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy. A veterinarian and former City Council member on the Island, she guided the replanting efforts from the long term recovery plan stage to now. She has lived in Galveston for 25 years.
o David Batts

David Batts, LEED AP BD+C, is very passionate about water quality and the effects storm water runoff has on our local water bodies. David is a coâ€founder of the Houston Land / Water Sustainability Forum, a nonâ€profit, collaborative effort among local regulators, decision makers, and design professionals to explore ideas, methods, materials, and technologies related to the sustainability of land and water in Houston's growing urban environment. He also regularly hosts a LEED GA study group focused on preparing Civil Engineers and Landscape Architects for the LEED GA Exam. David works for Construction EcoServices, a services and systems provider focused on all aspects of storm water quality and quantity management, where he is in charge of market development for alternative drainage, water harvesting, and Low Impact Development solutions.

The full list of presenters is also rather impressive. These are the people whose daily work directly benefits the quality of life for all Texans.

In addition, the TX ASLA recognizes students each year in a design awards competition created just for them. "We recognize the people who will work alongside us tomorrow have fantastic and innovative ideas today," Davidson says. "We all come to the conference to get inspired and we enjoy the fresh voices and innovations from students representing schools around the state."

Learn more about the Texas ASLA conference by visiting the conference website. Be sure to check out the blog, and we hope to see you in Galveston!

About the American Society of Landscape Architects
For more than 100 years, the American Society of Landscape Architects has promoted the landscape architecture profession and advanced the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship. As the national professional association for landscape architects, ASLA has more than 18,000 members and 48 chapters, representing all 50 states, U.S. territories, and 68 countries around the world.