Notes: A miscellany of news and events
on the march
This September 27 saw thousands of people rally at Queen’s Park in Toronto, as part of a global “climate strike” movement.
Among the ranks were members of the landscape architect and design professions, who wanted to stand up and be counted among the many who are concerned with the existential threat our planet faces from pollution, ecosystem destruction, and the increasing intensity and frequency of devastating climate events.
Police estimated 15,000 people attended the rally, according to CP24. Cities and towns across Canada, as well as all over the world held similar strikes.
flood report
While municipalities all over Ontario struggle to address stormwater management and flooding issues, and after record-setting flood levels across the province, the provincial government’s appointed special advisor on flooding, Doug McNeil, released a report on recent, devastating climate events stating “nothing points to human error or the negligent operation of water control structures.”
All the same, the report makes 66 recommendations to the province, municipal governments, and conservation authorities about planning for, and combatting the increasingly frequent and deleterious climate events experienced annually in Ontario. You can find “An Independent Review of the 2019 Flood Events in Ontario” at ontario.ca.
taking action
The Climate Strike movement also led landscape architects and designers to form the Design Climate Action group, whose inaugural meeting was held November 7th. The DCA has a mandate to “educate, advocate and design for a socially just transition to a carbon neutral economy. Change is needed urgently. Collective action must be sustained. Now is our moment to develop new modes of practice rooted in land-based climate solutions.”
Nearly 100 landscape architects, designers, and allied professionals turned out at the kick-off party at Henderson Brewing in Toronto to discuss the call to action.
new members
The Ontario Association of Landscape Architects is proud to recognize and welcome the following new members to the Association:
- Lina Al-Dajani*
- Tyler Allen Bradt*
- Kirsten Brown
- David Burns*
- Scott Cafarella
- Matthew Campbell
- Stephanie K. Campbell
- Natasha Collins*
- Sandra Cook*
- Nadia D’Agnone*
- Corey Dawson
- Cassandra Dell’Aquila
- Philip Dixon*
- Natalia Fleishman*
- D Leo Garcia*
- Drew Graham
- Jacob Gray
- John Griffin
- Lorne Hellreich*
- Jenny Hill*
- Erin Houle*
- Yue Ma
- Sarah MacLean*
- Tyler Main
- Sydney Martel
- Andrew Naylor
- David Pantaleo
- Nadja Pausch
- Stephanie Payne
- Nicholas Taylor
- Wayne Violette
- Ashley Visneski*
- Rachel Weston*
Asterisk (*) denotes Full Members without the use of professional seal.
in memoriam
Peter C. Hubbell
The OALA is saddened to announce the passing Peter C. Hubbell on September 25, 2019.
Peter Hubbell passed away peacefully at home on September 25, 2019 at the age of 81. Beloved husband of Kathy for 59 wonderful years. Loving father of Rick (Shelly), Carolyn (Jeremy Carder), and the late Christina (1974). Proud grandpa of Jack, Cate, Grace, Trent, and Charlie. Brother of Jean Muhleisen.
Peter Hubbell became a full member of the OALA in 1985. He was a graduate of the Horticulture program at Michigan State University, and worked as a Landscape Architect and Supervisor of Grounds at Hiram Walker for many years. After retirement in 1993, he started Flower Mart Greenhouse, which he and Kathy ran together for 20 years. Pete was a proud member of ΣX Fraternity, Landscape Ontario, and the OALA. He enjoyed spending time on the golf course, summers at the cottage in Michigan, and sailing where he was a member of the Bayview Mackinac Old Goats, having completed more than 25 Mackinac races. He was a past president of the Windsor YMCA and a longtime coach with Windsor Minor Hockey. One of Pete’s greatest joys was watching his grandchildren compete in sports, where he was always recognizable in his Spartan green.
A funeral was held on September 28, 2019.
As is OALA’s custom, a book will be added to our library and a Memorial tree will be planted at the Guelph Arboretum Wall-Custance Memorial Forest in Peter’s name.
hit the beach
The installation art competition “Winter Stations” is about to enter its sixth year. Contestants from all over the world are encouraged to submit their ideas for transforming lifeguard stations along Toronto’s Kew and Woodbine beaches into striking works of art.
Submissions for 2020’s theme “Beyond the Five Senses” are already in, and the winning designs will be announced this month.
It’s a great way to embrace (rather than avoid) the frostier months. The exhibition begins this Family Day (February 17), and runs until March 29.
