Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Transforming Landscapes for a Sustainable Future
The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) has been at the forefront of advancing sustainable landscape solutions for over five decades. Our organization identifies critical environmental and social challenges while strengthening the landscape architecture discipline through research, scholarships, and leadership initiatives. We empower professionals and students to address climate change, urbanization, and inequity through innovative design practices. Our programs include the Landscape Performance Series, which quantifies the benefits of sustainable landscapes, and the Olmsted Scholars Program, which recognizes emerging leaders in the field. Through strategic partnerships and thought leadership, we drive the development of resilient, equitable communities.Our research initiatives, such as the Case Study Investigation, bridge academic inquiry with real-world applications. We foster diversity and inclusion through scholarship programs that support underrepresented voices in landscape architecture. Our work with policymakers and industry stakeholders helps shape sustainable development practices globally. By convening experts and sharing knowledge, we amplify the impact of landscape architects in creating healthier environments. Our commitment to transparency and measurable outcomes ensures that our initiatives deliver tangible benefits to communities and ecosystems.
Services
Research Programs
Scholarships
Leadership Initiatives
Case Study Investigations
Performance Metrics
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of experience advancing sustainable landscape architecture.
- Our Landscape Performance Series quantifies environmental, economic, and social benefits of design.
- We award $150,000+ annually in scholarships to emerging landscape architecture leaders.
- Our Case Study Investigation program documents measurable outcomes of high-performing landscapes.
- We convene global experts to shape policy and practice in sustainable development.
Services
Research Programs
Our research initiatives investigate sustainable landscape practices through collaborations between academia and design firms. We document measurable environmental, economic, and social benefits of high-performing landscapes. These studies inform policy decisions and industry best practices while advancing the profession's knowledge base.
Scholarship Programs
We provide over $150,000 annually in scholarships to landscape architecture students through 16 different programs. These awards recognize academic excellence, support diversity initiatives, and assist students with financial need. Our LAF Ignite program offers multi-year support including internships and mentorship.
Leadership Initiatives
Our leadership programs identify and nurture emerging talent through the Olmsted Scholars Program and LAF Fellowship. We develop innovative leaders who address global challenges through design thinking and sustainable practices. These initiatives build capacity for transformative change in the profession.
Case Study Investigation
This collaborative research program evaluates exemplary landscape projects through academic-practice partnerships. We quantify environmental performance metrics and social impacts to demonstrate the value of sustainable design. Findings inform future projects and policy development across the industry.
Landscape Performance Series
Our performance series creates tools to measure sustainability outcomes of landscape architecture projects. We develop evaluation frameworks that help designers demonstrate tangible benefits to clients and policymakers through quantifiable data and case studies.
People
Barbara Deutsch
Chief Executive Officer
With a background in both corporate marketing and landscape architecture, Barbara leads LAF's strategic initiatives. She developed the Landscape Performance Series and brings expertise in sustainable urban development from her work with Casey Trees and BioRegional.
Rachel Booher
Deputy Director
Rachel oversees operations and grant programs with experience in sustainable infrastructure and policy implementation. Her background includes work with the World Resources Institute and Sustainable Solutions Partners, focusing on green infrastructure grants.
Heather Whitlow
Senior Director of Programs & Communications
Heather manages LAF's eight signature programs and strategic communications. A former transportation planner and urban forester, she holds degrees in environmental engineering and community planning, bringing technical expertise to program development.
Cara Chard
Director of Development
Cara leads fundraising efforts with over a decade of nonprofit experience. Formerly an environmental educator in New York City, she founded City Growers, an urban agriculture education nonprofit, and brings expertise in grant writing and donor relations.
Megan Barnes
Senior Program Manager
Megan oversees research initiatives including the Case Study Investigation program. A two-time Peace Corps volunteer, she combines international development experience with landscape architecture expertise to manage LAF's research portfolio and the Green New Deal Superstudio initiative.
Questions
What is LAF's primary mission?
We advance sustainable landscape solutions through research, scholarships, and leadership programs that empower designers to address climate change, urbanization, and social inequity.
How does LAF support landscape architecture students?
We award over $150,000 annually in scholarships, including the Olmsted Scholars Program, and provide paid internships through our LAF Ignite initiative.
What research initiatives does LAF offer?
Our Landscape Performance Series and Case Study Investigation program document measurable benefits of sustainable landscapes through academic-practice collaborations.
How can professionals engage with LAF?
We offer the LAF Fellowship for Innovation, research grants, and leadership recognition programs for established landscape architecture professionals.
Does LAF accept donations?
Yes, we rely on donor support to fund our programs. Contributions help advance sustainable design research, scholarships, and leadership development initiatives.
