Most Read Posts of 2025

By Jared Green

Before looking ahead to how landscape architecture, climate, and biodiversity will intersect in 2026, we also look back to learn what was of greatest interest to readers over the past year.

The most-read story of the year was an exploration of the wildfire disaster in Los Angeles by landscape architect Ronnie Siegel, ASLA, who spent months conducting fieldwork, reviewing data mapping, and communicating with eye witnesses. She found evidence that trees and plants didn't cause the spread of the Eaton fire but in fact have the potential to reduce the risk of the next one. 

Readers were also increasingly focused on biodiversity — how to design for it and steward it. A popular new primer from the ASLA Climate & Biodiversity Action Committee outlines why biodiversity loss should be treated as a co-equal priority with climate change. It also explains how every project can be an opportunity to increase biodiversity — and also carbon sequestration and climate resilience. A beautiful project by landscape architecture firm Terremoto in Denver demonstrated how to achieve that in practice. 

And this past year showed us how to expand climate and biodiversity action in new directions. Kongjian Yu, FASLA, creator of the global Sponge City movement, reminded us that water is key to addressing climate change. He left us with a call to action: "Shift the mindset — reject gray infrastructure as the default and advocate for landscape-based, water-driven solutions. Prioritize wetland restoration, floodplain protection, and nature-based urban water systems in every project. Push for policies that recognize landscape architecture as an essential discipline." His essential argument: "Landscape architecture is not just about aesthetics or leisure — despite common misconceptions — but a scientific and a strategic tool for global climate action." 

Yu was a leading landscape architect. And he was a friend for 15 years, someone I learned a great deal from. He left a model for leadership, investing his time in design but also writing, research, and advocacy. He continuously adapted and evolved his messages, listening to learn what resonated with different audiences and finding ways to simplify. He was as effective communicating to scientists through publications like Nature as he was reaching the general public through platforms like CNN and The New York Times. He was a masterful communicator, and we can continue to be inspired by his clarity and ability to connect with so many people. 

ASLA members: Is there an op-ed you would like to write? Let us know at [email protected]. 

With a Landscape Approach, We Can Reduce the Risk of the Next Wildfire Disaster

Ronnie Siegel, ASLA: "Together, we can reassess the post-fire evidence. With a more in depth assessment and continued fire science research to test plant flammability, we can update recommended plant lists, perfect the defensible space guidelines, and plan vegetated buffer zones. Then we would be better able to reduce our collective wildfire risk." 

Landscape Architects Release New Primer on How to Design for Biodiversity

“The loss of biodiversity worldwide continues to accelerate. We need to rapidly shift to better ways of designing and managing landscapes and do our part to achieve global 2030 goals,” said Aida Curtis, FASLA, PLA, Chair, ASLA Climate & Biodiversity Action Committee and president, Curtis + Rogers Design Studio in Miami, Florida. “The primer introduces the real, concrete steps we can take on every project to protect, conserve, enhance, or restore healthy, enduring habitats for more species.” 

Kongjian Yu: Water Is Key to Climate Action

We can't forget the central role of water in climate action, argues landscape architect Kongjian Yu, FASLA, founder of Turenscape, in a new research paper published in Nature Water. "Climate action must prioritize water—restoring the natural water cycle is just as critical as reducing carbon."

Lessons from Roberto Burle Marx: How to Design Resilient Urban Landscapes

Diogo Borges Ferreira: "At a time when climate change and biodiversity loss are pressing global concerns, we can revisit Burle Marx's principles. His landscapes in Brazil demonstrate how to create urban spaces that are resilient, sustainable, functional, and beautiful. They offer valuable lessons for contemporary landscape architects." 

Cool Operators: Historical Design Strategies That Reduce Temperatures

Chip Sullivan, FASLA: "There are numerous examples of historical landscape elements that employ passive design to moderate microclimates throughout the seasons. These historical techniques and practices illustrate a deep and intuitive understanding of the forces and processes of nature, from which contemporary designers would benefit." 

A New Plaza in Denver Shows the Beauty of Local Design 

A plaza in downtown Denver, Colorado was a "harsh place," a "terrible concrete plaza," explained Kasey Toomey, PLA, landscape architect, artist, and partner at Terremoto. "We decided to create a habitat, a green space for all these creatures" — not just people.

Climate Justice 101: How to Prioritize Justice and Community

Laura Marett, ASLA, Chingwen Cheng, ASLA, José Juan Terrasa-Soler, ASLA, and Deb Guenther, FASLA, with Marc Miller and Tasneem Tariq: "Landscape architects have a responsibility to both the people and places affected by climate change. Our work in the built environment shapes more than just physical spaces; it also influences social and cultural conditions. As the impacts of climate change grow, our role must include not only designing for resilience but also advancing climate justice." 

Beauty and Biodiversity

Beauty plays an important role — it helps people emotionally connect to landscapes. Through that connection, people are more likely to value the biodiversity that make places beautiful and functional. And then they are more likely to invest in protecting and restoring landscapes.

More than Three-Fourths of Landscape Architecture Community Says Climate and Biodiversity Commitment Program Is Needed

“A commitment program will help build the credibility and relevance of landscape architects’ climate and biodiversity work among our peers in the architecture, engineering, and planning professions,” said Pamela Conrad, ASLA, inaugural ASLA Climate and Biodiversity Action Fellow and Founder, Climate Positive Design. “It will also help us better align with and advance industry standards on built environment data.”

Cherry Creek West Leads with the Landscape

A 13-acre parking lot on the west side of Denver, Colorado will soon become Cherry Creek West, a new mixed-use community. Design Workshop, an international landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm, is transforming a big box shopping center into a walkable, bikeable destination that reduces vehicle emissions.