Passion, Challenge, Change
May 11 to 13, 2023 - Paradox Vancouver Hotel
Online registration for the conference is open Now! Click here to register.
Our annual conference seeks to inspire and affirm the current practice of landscape architecture, especially that of the BCSLA Membership. The Conference Organizing team is drafting a terrific program featuring on-the-ground stories and contributions, from members and allies, that express their passion for the profession, the challenges they’ve overcome in order to do great work and their response to changes they have seen, or foresee, in society and the profession.
Our keynote speakers include:
Colleen Mercer-Clarke, FCSLA, APALA
Colleen's work on planning and design for a changing world has a special focus on adaptive planning in coastal communities. Colleen has over 30 years’ experience in the private sector as a senior environmental manager working on a wide array of initiatives throughout Eastern and Atlantic Canada and internationally. Trained as both a marine ecologist and landscape architect, her early work focused on environmental planning, assessment and management, including coastal, watershed and municipal planning, site design and conservation of special places. Colleen has contributed to regional national and international development of coastal policies, programs and institutions that advance the principles of precaution, stewardship and sustainability. She is an experienced team leader, skilled in the facilitation of complex meetings. Colleen left consulting in 2005, completing a Doctorate in interdisciplinary studies as well as Post Doctoral studies in coastal governance, coastal health and impending climate change. Since 2009, she has participated in research-community-government teams working across Canada and in the Caribbean on coastal preparedness for environmental changes associated with shifting climate and extreme weather events. Colleen leads the CSLA Task Force on Adaptation and Chairs the IFLA Working Group on Climate Change, continuing her commitment to the sustainability of nearshore environments and communities. Two great keynote speakers are listed below.
Ernie Enns, IISAAK OLAM Foundation, Co-Founder, President and CEO
Eli Enns is an internationally recognized expert in Indigenous-led conservation. From Tla-o-qui-aht Nation on his father’s side, and of Dutch Mennonite heritage on his mother’s side, Eli promotes holistic solutions for community and ecosystem health and well-being. With a background in political science, Eli is a ‘Nation-builder’ with values and approaches rooted in Indigenous economic theory and practice. In 2017, a decade after co-founding the Ha-uukmin Tribal Park in his own territory, Eli co-chaired the Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE) for the Pathway to Canada Target 1, which culminated with the groundbreaking 2018 report, We Rise Together: Achieving Pathway to Canada Target 1 through the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) in the spirit and practice of reconciliation. IPCAs are now a central component of Canada’s conservation efforts. Eli supports Indigenous Nations across Canada to advance their conservation efforts via his roles with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation and the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership.
Stay tuned for program and tour updates.
