LAF at the 2026 CELA Conference
The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) looks forward to the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) conference March 18-21 in Cincinnati, Ohio. This annual gathering is a chance to learn about new research, pedagogical innovations, and trends affecting academic institutions. It is also a great opportunity to catch up with landscape architecture faculty and students from universities across the United States and Canada as well as other parts of the world.
LAF's Megan Barnes will participate in a special lunch panel discussion about CELA's and LAF's shared goals to connect research and practice through the Landscape Architecture Research Exchange initiative. LAF will also co-present the Forster Ndubisi Professional Service Award and provide updates to the CELA Board of Directors and the administrators of each university landscape architecture program.
CELA-LAF Landscape Architecture Research Exchange (LARX) Initiative: Reflections, Directions, and Next Steps
Special Lunch Panel Discussion, Thurs, March 19 1:00-1:55pm PT Representatives of CELA, LAF, and Landscape Journal reflect on the Landscape Architecture Research Exchange, a recent pilot initiative developed in collaboration between CELA and LAF. The initiative – including a webinar and live virtual event with a goal of connecting academic and professional practitioners around shared research interests – received significant interest from academic and professional practitioners. Panelists will discuss potential next steps for this partnership as well as wider implications and what is needed next.
Megan Barnes, Sr. Program Manager, Landscape Architecture Foundation
James A. LaGro Jr, PhD, PLA | University of Wisconsin-Madison Emeritus | Editor-in-Chief, Landscape Journal
Taner Ozdil, PhD, University of Texas at Arlington | CELA President
The conference also includes several sessions with past LAF Fellows expanding upon their Fellowship work and recent LAF Case Study Investigation (CSI) participants sharing their research and findings.
Greening on the Inside
Concurrent Session (Presentation 1 of 3), Fri, March 20, 11:45-13:00 EDT
Daniel Winterbottom, University of Washington
(2022-23 LAF Fellow for Innovation and Leadership))
Designing Dignity: Carceral Landscape Studios, Processes, Stakeholder Engagement, and Navigating the Complexities
Concurrent Session (Panel), Sat, March 21, 8:30-9:45 EDT
Daniel Winterbottom, University of Washington
With Dan Cronan, Sohyun Park, and Radhika Dinesh Sarda
(2022-23 LAF Fellow for Innovation and Leadership))
Catching the wave or playing Catch-up? Integrating AI into teaching, learning, and professional practice
Concurrent Session (Presentation 5 of 5), Fri, March 20, 10:15-11:30 EDT
Phillip Fernberg, Utah State University
With Brent Chamberlain, Heather Braiden, and Benjamin George
(2022-23 LAF Fellow for Innovation and Leadership))
A Tree is a Tree is a Tree: State Policy Interpretations of Federal Roadside Vegetation Guidance Using Content Analysis
Concurrent Session (Presentation 2 of 3), Fri, March 20, 11:45-13:00 EDT
Ellen White, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
(2021-22 LAF Fellow for Innovation and Leadership)
Pollinators as Performance: Standardizing observation methods to bridge design intent and ecological evidence
Concurrent Session (Presentation 4 of 4), Sat, March 21, 8:30-9:45 EDT
Anthony Fettes, University of New Mexico
Kailani Gorman, University of New Mexico
(2025 CSI Faculty Fellow and student Research Assistant)
