6 Takeaways from the MDASLA Regional Conference

This February, landscape architects and designers from throughout the region came together for the MDASLA 2026 Regional Conference, a day of inspiration and conversation on the theme “Leading Locally: Our Responsibility to the Community, Climate and Ecosystem.” In a content-packed day filled with practice-based presentations (and 6 CEUs!), participants gained insight into the ecological—and ethical—issues shaping landscape architecture practice across the state’s ecoregions. 

1. Design with Nature—and Art

Larry Weaner of LWLA has designed some of the region’s most high-functioning ecological landscapes, but in his talk “Ecological Design as Garden Art,” he encouraged designers not to forget the importance of planting aesthetics, whether that means planting swaths to draw the eye towards landscape features or creating rhythms that hide and reveal views. “It’s the landscape architect’s job to interpret the landscape,” he reminds us. 

2. Think Fast

The lightning round of talks presented a rapid-fire look at a variety of ideas, but despite the diversity of projects presented, each touched on wellbeing, whether that’s Graham Projects quick-build community placemaking projects; Vestre’s socially minded headquarters; or efforts to reshape the lumber industry from Cambium-Carbon Smart Wood. As Mackenzie Twardus put it when describing the mental health-promoting design of Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park: “Even quietly, the landscapes we shape shape us in return. With intention, they can become places of healing.” 

3. Be Adaptive 

Reflecting on their restoration work on Baltimore’s Middle Branch, Biohabitats designer Jennifer Dowdell and engineer Chris Streb shared their approach for layering ecological, resiliency, and social equity in their projects. One such strategy is to structure the design process—from visioning through maintenance—with a mindset pulled from adaptive management. By incorporating engagement, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy (as well as self-reflection) at every stage, an adaptive approach allows for a broader knowledge base to inform a project and creates space for unexpected discoveries.   

4. Act Local

In a conversation led by Om Khurjekar, three national ASLA leaders—Kona Gray, FASLA, Immediate Past President of ASLA; Bradley McCauley, FASLA, President of ASLA; and Gretchen Wilson, President-Elect of ASLA—shared their perspectives on the state of the profession, encouraging landscape architects to “be bolder—advocate for the value of the land!”

5. Plan Holistically

In master planning for flood resilience in Historic Ellicott City, Tom McGilloway, Principal of Mahan Rykiel Associates stressed the importance of finding opportunity in disaster. While the long-term Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan focuses on flood mitigation and safety, the planning process also incorporated preservation of community character. Along the way, the design team used incremental placemaking improvements like pocket parks to demonstrate commitment and build community support throughout the process. 

6. Use Data to Make Your Case

The Landscape Architecture Foundation’s Megan Barnes reminded the group of the importance of using data to measure impact in order to demonstrate impact. (Her tip: Look for the verb, not the noun, to describe what the landscape does.) Not sure where to begin? Visit lafoundation.org for more information. 

Special thanks to the conference host, Vectorworks, as well as conference sponsors Pleasant Run Nursery, Sparks@Play, Victor Stanley, Division 32 and Bear Metal Design, and exhibitors All Recreation, Country Casual Teak, ForeverLawn Capital District, and Vestre.     

Have an idea you’d like to share with our regional landscape architecture community? Stay tuned for a call for proposals for the next Regional Conference hosted by Maryland ASLA.