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A Warm Welcome from Your New President, Matt Sloan! Hello everyone, I'm incredibly honoured and genuinely excited to step into the role of President for the Alberta Association of Landscape Architects. For those of you who I haven't had the pleasure of connecting with yet, I've been a proud member of the AALA for some time now, and my journey as a registered landscape architect has spanned across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. For the past 15 years, I've been deeply committed to enhancing our field through both professional practice and active leadership within the industry. My experience across design, construction, and project management has instilled in me a profound respect and passion for creating sensitive and innovative designs. I firmly believe in honouring the perspectives of the people and the ecological systems that inhabit the spaces we consider. This has led me to work considerably with diverse teams, including municipal governments, Indigenous nations, and private land developers, on a wide array of projects focused on community enhancement, land-use planning, urban revitalization, constructed wetlands, low impact development stormwater management, urban parks, rural open spaces, and streetscapes. What truly excites me about taking on the presidency is the energy and dedication within our AALA Board and general membership. It's inspiring to be part of a community so passionate about shaping exceptional places across our province. I'm sincerely looking forward to working alongside all of you. A key focus for the coming year will be advancing the important work already underway with the Province and the Professional Governance Act. This is a unique moment for the AALA to thoughtfully review our governance structure and implement meaningful changes that will modernize our policies and bylaws, ultimately strengthening our profession for the future. It's a significant undertaking, and I'm eager to help lead this process with transparency and member input. I'm enthusiastic about the year ahead and the possibilities we have to collectively elevate the practice of landscape architecture in Alberta. Please don't hesitate to reach out – I'm looking forward to connecting with you all! Warmly, Matt |