INASLA Climate Action Committee

The Climate Action Committee’s mission statement is to Advocate, Educate, and Practice by building relationships for an intrinsic culture of sustainability across disciplines at the community, local, and state level to achieve meaningful positive climate impacts for Indiana through standards and materials to build a better quality of life for all.

Survey Results from InaSLA Members

Top Climate-related concerns

Top Objectives for the Climate Action Committee

Educate


Resources

ASLA Climate Action Plan: https://www.asla.org/climateactionplan.aspx

Landscape Architecture Solutions to Extreme Heat: https://www.asla.org/extremeheatresearch.aspx

Landscape Architecture Solutions to Biodiversity Loss: https://www.asla.org/biodiversitylossresearch.aspx

ASLA Survey: Continued Increase in Demand for Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change: https://dirt.asla.org/2024/05/29/asla-survey-continued-increase-in-demand-for-nature-based-solutions-to-climate-change/?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-94YMLM2SqFbaKfsX98ziQ0Fsy31SNsiLskPJMWf3piXY_aiDemeFdxxFoIAf_B9y9vW5myZJ3nmSRSA7kRFs45geUAfA&_hsmi=309253126&utm_content=309253126&utm_source=hs_email

ASLA Online learning webpage, featuring climate impact related courses, which offers free PDHs: https://learn.asla.org/FreePDH

Indiana’s Past & Future Climate: A report from the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment: https://www.inasla.org/s/Indiana_s-Past-Future-Climate_-A-Report-from-the-Indiana-Clima.pdf

Webinar series continues: ASLA Biodiversity & Climate Action 101 for Landscape Architect

ASLA: 2025 Conference Offset Partnership

New hub for Environmental Product Declarations

  • More than 100 EPDs, LCAs, and Eco-Label Products so far 

  • Updated Monthly

New ASLA Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan in Development

  • First drafts in development

  • Meg Calkins, new Chair, with 5-member Task Force

  • 35-member advisory group

  • Plan launches at the ASLA 2025 Conference

Recent Climate Action Plan resources - asla.org/climate (brief highlight)

  • Five useful guides:

  • Decarbonizing the Design Process: A Phase by Phase Approach for Landscape Architects

  • Decarbonizing Specifications: Guidelines for Landscape Architects, Specifiers, and Contractors

  • Towards Zero-Emission Business Operations: A Landscape Architect’s Guide to Reducing the Climate Impacts of Offices

  • Navigating Environmental Product Data: A Guide for Landscape Architects, Specifiers, and Industry Partners

  • Collaborating with Industry Partners on Climate Action and Biodiversity: A Guide to Conversations Among Landscape Architects, Vendors, and Product Manufacturers

  • Research, survey results, and more.

 

Tools

Pathfinder - Landscape Carbon Calculator - This  web-based application allows registered users to estimate the carbon footprint and time to carbon neutral for landscape projects based on site design and management. https://app.climatepositivedesign.com/

iTree - Carbon Sequestration - i-Tree has developed tools to help a wide variety of users understand the benefits that trees provide for over 20 years. https://www.itreetools.org/tools

State of Indiana Waters. This page provides links to various water monitoring sites for the state of Indiana:

  • Groundwater (USGS) & Surface Water (USGS) For a look at how the current groundwater and surface water levels compare to long term medians for the current day, use the first two links to the USGS.

  • Flood Forecast (NOAA) & Drought Conditions (NDMC) provide insight on flood forecasting and drought monitoring within Indiana based on current water levels and expert predictions.

  • Current climate data for the state from the Indiana State Climatologist

https://www.agry.purdue.edu/indiana-water/Current_Conditions.html

Landscape Performance - is a searchable collection of online tools and calculators to estimate landscape performance. https://www.landscapeperformance.org/benefits-toolkit

Practice

Recognizing Indiana climate action projects

Professional Award applicants may choose to apply for the Biodiversity and Climate Action Green Ribbon as an additional recognition. Green Ribbons will be awarded at the discretion of the Indiana ASLA Climate Action Committee to recognize projects that demonstrate an exceptional effort towards designing for a better future in the areas of climate mitigation, climate resiliency, biodiversity, environmental equity, and environmental advocacy. Focusing specifically on ways that these areas are enhanced through landscape architectural practice, projects competing for a Green Ribbon Award should address the following elements, and describe how considerations of these elements factored into planning and design decisions:

  • Carbon Drawdown: how do materials choices, planting choices, or other practices implemented on site contribute to carbon drawdown through sequestration and achieving zero embodied operational emissions.

  • Climate Resiliency: design and planning to remain resilient in the face of future climate scenarios, fostering stewardship and mitigating impacts to public health, safety, and healthy growth.

  • Ecosystem Services: how can we employ strategies to restore the function of natural systems, and increase and protect biodiversity statewide.

  • Community Empowerment: Addressing climate injustices, creation of green jobs and increasing equitable distribution of climate related investments for all people.

August Is Site Tour Month Overview (5-10 mins)