ELA Advanced Design Workshop with Claudia West

About this event

There is an urgent need for ecologically rich, inspiring plantings in the places where we live, work, and play.

In this workshop, Claudia introduces her firm’s innovative approach—combining ecological models, computer simulations, and restoration strategies to design resilient, low-maintenance plant systems. These systems address real-world challenges such as tight budgets, tough site conditions, and limited horticultural expertise. Claudia will explore the transformative potential of more autonomous planting strategies to combat habitat loss and species decline in an urbanizing, warming world. Through compelling case studies, she will demonstrate how well-designed plant systems can support biodiversity while enriching the human experience. Participants will engage in hands-on design exercises and group discussions to apply these ideas in practice. This one-day workshop is specifically designed for landscape designers and architects.

Learning objectives

• Understand how ecological models and restoration principles can inform the design of resilient, low-maintenance planting systems.

• Identify strategies to overcome common barriers in planting design and management, including limited budgets, harsh conditions, and maintenance constraints.

• Explore the role of more autonomous planting systems in addressing habitat loss and supporting biodiversity in urban environments.

• Discover methods for making resilient plant systems both visually compelling and emotionally evocative.

• Apply key concepts through hands-on design exercises that translate theory into practice for real-world landscape challenges.”

CEU INFORMATION

This daylong workshop has been approved for the following CEU’s. Additional CEU’s are being sought and will be posted here as they are approved.

• Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD 4.25)

• Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals (CBLP 6.0)

• Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (6.0 credits)

From Ecological Landscape Alliance