The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) fund has just announced a pair of winners of its inaugural national competitive grants, offering a total of $25,000 to researchers working towards solutions to both climate change and the ongoing biodiversity crises in the United States.

"We help communities adapt to climate-driven extreme weather and support biodiversity,” ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen explained at the announcement. “The infrastructure challenges in municipalities across the country are enormous —landscape architects bring transformative solutions.”

Learn about the grant winners and their research below.

Landscape Architecture Solutions to Extreme Heat
By Dr. Daniella Hirschfeld, PhD

"Dr. Hirshfeld will explore landscape architecture- and nature-based solutions that are effective at reducing temperatures. Dr. Hirshfeld will identify design strategies that have demonstrated temperature reduction benefits while also sequestering carbon, protecting and increasing biodiversity, and reducing climate risks."

Dr. Hirschfeld is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, at Utah State University

Landscape Architecture Solutions to Biodiversity Loss
By Dr. Sohyun Park, ASLA, PhD, SITES AP

"Dr. Park will explore landscape architecture- and nature-based solutions that address the biodiversity crisis. Dr. Park will identify design strategies that offer proven biodiversity and ecological gains while also sequestering carbon, improving water quality and management, and reducing climate risks. "

Dr. Park is an Assistant Professor, the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut

According to the organization, awardees will produce research that outlines the benefits of landscape architecture solutions and published later in an open-access format in the spring of next year. The organization recently celebrated its newfound STEM discipline designation by the federal government, and says the grants program will aid in its elevate the field at a time when heat mitigation, resiliency, and the creation of green spaces in urban areas have become projects of paramount importance for landscape architects and designers.

“This research will help all of us in the landscape architecture community make the strongest case possible with policymakers, community groups, allied professionals, and the public. We’ll have the best science and performance data on hand," ASLA President Emily O’Mahoney added finally. More information about the grant process can be accessed here.