LCA Sustainability Symposium Agenda

Agenda | Awards | Registration | Exhibitors | Details | Speakers | CEUs

Agenda

Morning Sessions

8:00 – 8:30 a.m. | Registration Desk Opens

8:30 – 8:50 a.m. | Morning Refreshments
Enjoy coffee and snacks before the program begins.

8:50 – 9:00 a.m. | Welcome & Introductions

9:05 – 10:35 a.m. | Keynote: Meadow-Making and More

Speaker: Larry Weaner, Larry Weaner Landscape Associates

Explore the principles of successful meadow design, including site preparation, plant selection, and ecological management. This session will offer practical, science-based insights for creating resilient and beautiful meadows.

10:40 – 10:55 a.m. | Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Natural Swimming Pools
Speaker: Ryan Harmer, BioNova

Learn how Natural Swimming Pools (NSPs) use biological filtration for clean, chemical-free water. This session will cover design principles, construction techniques, and maintenance strategies for sustainable, eco-friendly pools.

Midday Break

12:15 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch with Exhibitors
Enjoy lunch while networking with exhibitors.

Afternoon Sessions

1:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Local Sustainability & Regulatory Updates
Speaker: Zack Kline

With municipality’s sustainability requirements being updated as frequently as every 3 months, it’s important to stay aware when these communities have project-changing impacts. This session will cover the major sustainability requirements you should be aware of as you prepare for the 2025 landscape season.

1:50 – 2:35 p.m. | Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement (PICP): Engineering Solution for Stormwater Management
Speaker: Jeff Taphouse, CMHA Instructor

Discover how PICP technology mitigates stormwater runoff, reduces flooding risk, and enhances urban sustainability through effective design and maintenance strategies.

2:35 – 3:20 p.m. | Exhibitor Demonstrations (Indoor & Outdoor)
Hands-on demonstrations showcasing the latest sustainable landscaping solutions.

3:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Sustainable Site Planning and Design Strategies
Speaker: Eric Gilbey, VectorWorks

This presentation explores the critical role of landscape design and build firms in planning, installing, and managing sustainable landscape projects. Attendees will gain insights into key Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) objectives, including ecological site assessment, water efficiency, biodiversity promotion, sustainable material selection, and long-term site stewardship. By integrating these principles into project planning and execution, professionals can contribute to environmentally responsible landscapes that support ecosystem health, resource conservation, and community engagement.

4:05 – 4:35 p.m. | Resilient RainScapes: Designs That Thrive in Climate Extremes
Speaker: Ann English, Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection

Learn how climate-adaptive landscape designs, including rain gardens and conservation landscapes, can help mitigate environmental stressors while supporting biodiversity.

4:45 – 5:30 p.m. | Battery-Powered Electric Equipment’s Role in Sustainable Landscape Operations(Presentation & Panel)

Panelists: Dan Mabe, AGZA | Richard Ogawa, Gardenland Power Equipment

Industry experts discuss the environmental and operational benefits found when installation and management firms switch to battery-powered landscaping equipment, including jurisdictional requirements, cost considerations and best specification practices.

5:30 – 6:00 p.m. | Q&A and Closing Remarks

Learning Objectives

By attending, landscape architects and other landscape industry professionals will:

understand the key principles of successful meadow design, including site preparation, plant selection, and ecological management, to create resilient and visually appealing meadows.
learn how biological filtration systems can be used in Natural Swimming Pools (NSPs) to maintain clean, chemical-free water through sustainable design, construction, and maintenance practices.
stay informed about evolving municipal sustainability requirements and their potential impact on landscape projects, ensuring compliance and readiness for the 2025 season.
explore how permeable interlocking concrete pavement can be used as an effective stormwater management solution to
reduce runoff, mitigate flooding risks, and enhance urban sustainability.
gain insight into Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) principles and learn how to integrate ecological site assessments, water efficiency, biodiversity promotion, and sustainable material selection into landscape projects.
discover how climate-adaptive landscape strategies, such as rain gardens and conservation landscapes, can be implemented to mitigate environmental stressors while supporting biodiversity.
understand the environmental and operational benefits of battery-powered landscaping equipment, including cost considerations, jurisdictional requirements, and best practices for implementation.