FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Today is not only Earth Day-it's the first workday of National Landscape Architecture Week.

To celebrate, the University of Arkansas department of landscape architecture held a symposium with Garvan Woodland Gardens to honor the preservation of the Arkansas landscape, and, in conjunction with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), will participate in both national and local events dedicated to honoring the legacy of the landscape architecture profession.

"Sense of Place: Preserving the Cultural Landscape of Arkansas" was held Saturday, April 20, at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. Department of Arkansas Heritage Director Cathie Matthews and Fran Beatty, department head of landscape architecture, kicked off the celebration.

Professor Emeritus E. Lynn Miller, Sherda Williams of the National Parks Service and UA associate professors Karen Rollet-Crocker and Judy Brittenum also spoke at the event. Rollet-Crocker presented "Preserving the Cultural Landscape During the Depression: The CCC's in Arkansas," while Brittenum spoke about "The Legacy of the Fordyce Family in Hot Springs."

During the afternoon, guests toured the Garvan Woodland Gardens, a 210-acre botanical garden with 4.5 miles of shoreline on Lake Hamilton. The garden, a division of the UA School of Architecture, held its grand opening earlier this month. Speakers at the event included University of Arkansas System President B. Alan Sugg, School of Architecture Dean Jeff Shannon, Sen. Steve Faris and Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Director Richard Davies.

In Northwest Arkansas, local ASLA chapter members, many of whom are department of landscape architecture professors and alumni, will be educating Arkansas public schools about their profession.

Landscape architecture is one of the most diversified of the design professions, and landscape architects design the built environments of neighborhoods, towns and cities, while managing and protecting the natural environment. Examples of their work include the master plan for the U.S. Capitol Grounds in Washington, D.C., the preservation of Yosemite Park and Niagra Falls, and the creation of Boston's Emerald Necklace.

As a grand finale to the week, the ASLA will host two gala events on Saturday, April 27, in Washington, D.C., where Brittenum, a recently named ASLA Fellow, will be formally inducted.

The designation "Fellow" acknowledges extraordinary work in landscape planning or design, leadership of people or programs, or service to the profession-Brittenum was chosen for her service to the profession. She is the second Arkansan and first female Arkansan to receive this honor from the ASLA.

Founded in 1899, the ASLA is the national professional association representing more than 30,000 landscape architects nationwide. ASLA has grown to more than 13,500 members and 48 chapters, in all 50 states, the U.S. territories and 42 countries around the world.

For more information about landscape architecture or the ASLA, contact the department of landscape architecture at (479) 575-4907, visit the Garvan Woodland Gardens at http://www.garvangardens.org/ or the ASLA at http://www.asla.org/.