“While we’re celebrating 14 years since we first launched our scholarship program with the LAF, Landscape Forms' relationship as a substantial contributor to the foundation goes back more than a quarter century,” Landscape Forms’ CEO Marjorie Simmons says proudly. “The Landscape Architecture Foundation is a platform for multi-generational participation and growth in the professional development of landscape architects. And through our scholarships and other support for the foundation, we want to ensure the profession continues to thrive, and there continues to be a place where outstanding individual contributions can be recognized."

The company believes deeply in the positive impact landscape architects can have on the environment and society’s connection to it and sees the scholarship program as an invaluable opportunity to support, celebrate and elevate the rising leaders in our industry. Through these two annual scholarships, Landscape Forms seeks to increase the capacity of the next generation of landscape architects in order to create a more just, inclusive, creative and sustainable future for the profession.

Barbara Deutsch, CEO of the Landscape Architecture Foundation, explains how scholarships are critical in building up the influence and capacity of our industry’s future leaders. “Scholarships are a key strategy for the LAF to achieve its mission. We can’t increase the influence and impact of landscape architects without supporting the next generation,” she says. "And with the rising cost of education, scholarships are increasingly important for reducing barriers to education, easing debt burden, and creating opportunities for professional development. We’re delighted to award two of our student scholarships in partnership with Landscape Forms.”

This year’s scholarship recipients, Jordan Chiang and Diamond Owens, are both exceptional undergraduate landscape architecture students embarking on their journey in the field with deserved self-confidence and ambition. Seeing the level of passion, dedication and love for the natural world both exhibit, one can’t help but be excited for what this next generation of landscape architects will bring.

Jordan Chiang, 2021 recipient of the Landscape Forms Scholarship in Memory of Peter Lindsay Schaudt, FASLA, is an exceptional landscape architecture student graduating from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. A self-described “landscape nerd,” he is profoundly intrigued by the natural world and the interdisciplinary aspects of landscape architecture. “For me, getting into landscape architecture was the natural combination of my passions for both the arts and the sciences,” describes Jordan. Jordan’s level of passion is accompanied by a keen eye for detail in the landscape. “In my free time, I really love exploring new neighborhoods, identifying native plants and appreciating the subtle differences in architecture,” he says. Jordan has demonstrated extraordinary aptitude and passion for his field, and will no doubt do great things in the landscape architecture profession.

Diamond Owens, 2021 recipient of the Landscape Forms Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship, is an accomplished landscape architecture student from the University of Georgia in Athens. She is pursuing the profession to discover meaningful new connections with the outdoors, building on her own experiences with nature to help enhance the experiences of others. "I strive to be more than just a designer, more than just a landscape architect. I strive to be an activist and an educator,” says Diamond. "I truly cherish that my contributions to the world will change the lives of adults, children, people of all ages and races. My perception of nature was falsely shaped by its lack of prevalence in the inner city, Therefore, I commit to positively impact the lives of others in the urban environment.” With a focus on public health, environmental education and the integration of nature in the urban landscape, Diamond will assuredly contribute significantly to the field.

“I am incredibly proud of Jordan and Diamond, the level of passion that both display, and what this means for the future of landscape architecture,” adds Simmons. "Our support of the LAF and its scholarship programs is an investment in the future of the profession and its profound impact on the world we live in.”