NEW from THE DIRT, April 2026

Have Your Say: The State of U.S. Nature

View Web Version | Manage Your Communications Preferences Have Your Say: The State of U.S. Nature The Nature Record is the first national scientific assessment of the state of U.S. lands, rivers, coasts, and oceans, and wildlife. In nearly 900 pages, the draft report provides an ambitious overview of why nature is so central to our communities, economies, and future resilience. The initiative seeks public comments on the draft by May 30 and expects to publish the report this fall. | Read more ASLA and LAF Hosted Roundtable on the Economic Benefits of Nature-based Solutions “Landscape architects are leaders in advocating for these solutions and partnering with communities to plan and design them. But we need to work across sectors to strengthen the economic case for them," said Barbara Deutsch, FASLA. | Read more With Conference Offset Program, Landscape Architects Support Indigenous Stewardship “Landscape architects support the environmental stewardship and leadership of Indigenous communities and, this year, the inspiring ecological restoration goals of the Blackfeet Nation. We can all make a positive contribution by strengthening the Nation’s efforts to protect their forests, enhance biodiversity, and invest in renewable energy,” said ASLA President Bradley McCauley, FASLA, PLA. | Read more Climate & Biodiversity News (April 2026) The New Yorker traces the evolution of nature-based solutions to flooding — from Frederick Law Olmsted to Ian McHarg and then to Kongjian Yu, leader of the global Sponge City movement. Cities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia are increasingly turning to parks and green spaces to manage stormwater and flooding. Landscape architects with Danish firm SLA explain how they applied Sponge City strategies in their Rosa Barba-prize winning park in Copenhagen. | Read more Go to THE DIRT 636 Eye Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001-3736 202-898-2444 info@asla.org | dirt.asla.org © 2025 American Society of Landscape Architects. All rights reserved Manage Your Communications Preferences | Unsubscribe