Each year, the College of Environment and Design hosts the Landscape Architecture Short Course, a multi-day conference where landscape architecture professionals can earn Professional Development Hours to maintain licensure.
From February 2 to 4, the CED hosted the 2026 Short Course, a week filled with engaging topics ranging from innovative landscape architecture technology, adaptive reuse, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ecologically informed design practices. The event was also a great opportunity to connect with friends, classmates, UGA alumni, and create new connections. Hosted at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel, the event featured 26 sponsors and 10 lectures from innovative landscape architecture professionals. Between lectures, our sponsors showcased exciting material products and software used to streamline the design process.
DAY ONE
We started the week out with an excellent tour from CED alum Reid Ferrero of the LEED-certified construction of the Jackson Street Building, the home of the CED since 2013. Ferrero led the group through the sustainable building practices implemented since the CED moved in. Landscape architects Bob Koontz and Trevor Hansen presented their work on the historic Pinehurst Resort and Pinehurst Village in Pinehurst, North Carolina, well known for its iconic golf courses and for being a Frederick Law Olmstead design.
Tour of the Jackson Street Building; Bob Koontz and Trevor Hansen present Pinehurst work.
DAY TWO
CED alum Chris Hite kicked off Tuesday with the presentation, “The Outside Collaborative: An Update on Sustainable Development Research/Practices,” which emphasized multidisciplinary action around the role of landscapes in a more sustainable future. Kate Watts spoke about her work with native plants at Raleigh Iron Works, an adaptive resuse project. Ontario Association of Landscape Architects president Aaron Hirota invited us into the evolving landscape surrounding Canada’s Parliament Hill as it serves as a critical civic and historical space. Donnie Longenecker, Director of Continuing Education, presented his research on small town trails and landscape interventions that can support local economic development and community health alike. In the evening, Trees Atlanta’s Executive Director Greg Levine and Lord Aeck Sargent’s Rajiv Wanasundera and Matt Cherry walked us through their process of designing Trees Atlanta’s Kendeda TreeHouse, which combines fun, landscape centered design with thoughtful sustainability measures to create a new headquarters that embodies the non-profits’ mission.
2026 Short Course exhibitors; Chris Hite presents; Aaron Hirota presents.
DAY THREE
On Wednesday, Longenecker, Hite and fellow alum Tim Lake kicked off the morning session with panel on the challenges and opportunities in building a successful landscape architecture practice.
CED alum Ashley Sadowski presented how collaboration between landscape architects and engineers can lead to safer, more functional, and more thoughtful spaces. Our panel centered on personal development and gave us the inside scoop on how to build a successful landscape architecture practice at each stage in your career. CED alum and ASLA Fellow Rick Huffman took us through Furman University’s Lake Restoration project to demonstrate the applied ecology of biomimicry and implementation of natural systems in SITES. GIS1.net owner Chad Rupert gave us a demystified introduction to LiDAR, the most accurate contour data acquisition tool, and how architects and planners can use this tool to design with confidence. Finally, SPG Planners + Engineers led a lecture and tour of General Time, a development transforming a historic clock factory into a vibrant mixed-use district.
Tour of the General Time development with SPG Planners + Engineers; Georgia Center.
Our social hours allowed for a reunion of Georgia alumni and a networking opportunity for landscape architecture professionals and students. Monday’s Social Hour was generously sponsored by Pond, Lowcountry Paver, and mmcité. In keeping with Short Course tradition, Buck Jones Nursery graciously sponsored Tuesday’s Social Hour. We thank everyone who made these three days of connection, learning, and celebration of landscape architectural innovation possible, and we look forward to next year’s Short Course!
