Auburn Student ASLA Chapter Contributes to Green Roof Campaign
Issues challenge to other student chapters.

Professor Charlene LeBleu, ASLA, and Auburn landscape architecture students and Student ASLA members Jessica Evans, Laura Sanders, and Yiding Guo work on designs for a charrette in Tarrant, Alabama.

The Auburn University Student ASLA Chapter has announced it will make a $500 contribution to support the ASLA green roof project, putting the total cash contributions raised to date for the project over $94,000. The chapter also challenged student chapters across the country to join them in support of the project.

"This is an excellent opportunity to lead the charge in ASLA Student Chapter participation for the green roof project,” said Haley Diane Runne, Student ASLA, president of the Auburn University Student Chapter. “As all members of ASLA work toward the improvement of environmental and human habitat, our chapter is thrilled to be a part of the solution in contributing to a broader understanding of a tribute to ecological design philosophy. We look forward to seeing the success in design and execution that the green roof project promises to deliver, and we encourage other student chapters to be active participants in making it happen."

"As all members of ASLA work toward the improvement of environmental and human habitat, our chapter is thrilled to be a part of the solution in contributing to a broader understanding of a tribute to ecological design philosophy." -- Haley Diane Runne, Student ASLA, president of the Auburn University Student Chapter

Auburn professor Charlene LeBleu, ASLA, agrees. “I see this contribution as a reflection of student commitment and conviction to an environmental ethic that is stressed in Auburn's landscape architecture program,” she said. “I am ecstatic to see that the students recognize the importance and need for a national green roof demonstration site to promote green ‘best management practices’ for stormwater design. This is what they have learned, what they practice in their work, and is part of who they are."

Second-year MLA students participate in discussions regarding a design for remediation and adaptive reuse of a warehouse site in Tarrant, Alabama.

In addition to cash contributions, approximately $60,000 in products and discounts have been donated to the project, bringing the total at press time to $154,000 toward the goal of $350,000 to close the budget gap created by material cost increases due to Hurricane Katrina (see LAND article, November 21, 2005).

Contributions from firms are deductible for federal income tax purposes (personal contributions are not) and may be pledged over three years, payable by December 31, 2008. To contribute, complete the online pledge/contribution form. Contributors receive a number of high-profile recognition benefits based on the amount of the contribution.

Professor David Pearson, ASLA, and MLA student Sara Farracho discuss plans for site remediation and design at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama.