Awards
ASLA Council of Fellows
In 2010, The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recognized CPEX President and CEO Elizabeth “Boo” Thomas as part of the new class of their distinguished Council of Fellows in the category of Leadership. The honor, awarded to 41 members nationwide in 2010, is among the highest ASLA can bestow. The Louisiana Chapter of ASLA nominated Thomas for the fellowship, which recognizes the significant contributions individuals have made to the landscape architecture profession and the public through their works, leadership and management, knowledge, and service.
The Olmsted Medal
In 2009, CPEX was awarded the Olmsted Medal for environmental leadership, vision, and stewardship by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The medal, previously awarded to ecological champions such as the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, Mayor Richard M. Daly of Chicago, and President Jimmy Carter and Rosalyn Carter, is named for Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the founder of the American landscape architecture profession and steward of the environment. The medal was awarded to CPEX for “demonstrating incredible leadership and setting the standard for bringing community members together to work toward a shared vision for future growth and development.”
American Society of Landscape Architects Communications Honor Award
In 2008, CPEX was presented with the Communications Honor Award by ASLA for the Louisiana Public Broadcasting Documentary, “Louisiana Speaks: Our Voice. Our Plan. Our Future.” Created as a public outreach tool during the formation of the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan, this documentary pulled together the major hurricane recovery issues facing Louisiana and showed how different patterns of land use, transportation, economic policy, housing, and wetland loss would shape the future landscape of the region. By providing information on the benefits and consequences of pursuing different futures, Louisianians were given the information they needed to choose their preferences for a new vision for Louisiana. The ASLA Professional Awards Jury commented, “Much like the landscape of Louisiana, it is rich, complex, and visually interesting. The people behind this project and public broadcasting are to be commended for helping citizens understand their planning choices and, more importantly, to care about them.”
National Educational Telecommunications Association Award for Outreach
In 2008, CPEX was given the Outreach Award by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) for the Louisiana Public Broadcasting Documentary, “Louisiana Speaks: Our Voice. Our Plan. Our Future.” Louisiana Public Broadcasting: Louisiana Speaks. The award was for community impact in a large market. The documentary was produced by LPB’s Al Godoy and Kevin Gautreaux and was narrated by actress and Louisiana native Lynn Whitfield. Christina Melton was associate producer and helped write the program along with Godoy, Gautreaux, LPB President Beth Courtney, Hal Cohen, Jeff English and John Fregonese. Boo Thomas, Hal Cohen and Rachel DiResto from the Center for Planning Excellence were consultants on the program. Other contributors included John Folse, Hokie Gajan, Alex Joyce, Irvin Mayfield, George Rodrigue, Irma Thomas, John Fregonese and Dana Visse Ribner.
Gulf Guardian Award
In 2008, CPEX was presented with the Gulf Guardian Award in honor of the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan for innovation in cooperation with local, state, national organizations and agencies to produce innovative solutions by pooling resources that provide creative ways to positively impact the quality of life and economic well being in the five Gulf Coast States. The Gulf Guardian awards were initiated in 2000 as a way to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals, and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive.
Congress for the New Urbanism Charter Award
In 2008, the Congress for New Urbanism presented CPEX with its second Charter Award, this time for the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan. The award was in the category of Region: Metropolis, City, and Town with an “emphasis on the entirety of the built and natural environment — from the function and sustainability of regions to the fine-grain architectural details that strengthen people’s ties to a place over time. The Charter Awards look at how plans and projects integrate with their contexts and, consequently, how they improve both the human experience of place and the relationship between the built and natural environments.”
Louisiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects Award of Excellence
In 2008, CPEX was recognized by the Louisiana Chapter of ASLA with the Award of Excellence for the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan.
Louisiana Chapter of the American Planning Association Current Topic Award
In 2007, CPEX was given the Current Topic Award by the Louisiana Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). The award’s category was planning for urban/rural rebirth using Smart Growth Principles.
SunCoast Regional Emmy
In 2007 the Louisiana Public Broadcasting Documentary, “Louisiana Speaks: Our Voice. Our Plan. Our Future,” was recognized with a SunCoast Regional Emmy. The documentary was honored in the category of Public/Current/Community Affairs.
Louisiana Chapter of the American Planning Association Outstanding Planning Award
In 2007, CPEX was given its second Louisiana Chapter of APA’s Outstanding Planning Award, this time for the Louisiana Speaks Planning Toolkit. The Toolkit was recognized in the category of project, program, tool.
Louisiana Chapter of the American Planning Association Public Education Award
The Louisiana Chapter of APA also recognized CPEX’s work in 2007 with the Public Education Award for the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book.
Congress for the New Urbanism Charter Award
In 2007, the Congress for New Urbanism presented CPEX with the Charter Award in the category of Region: Metropolis, City, and Town for the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book. This Pattern Book contains patterns and techniques for building towns, neighborhoods, and housing quickly while employing Louisiana values and traditions. These traditions influence rebuilding in harmony with Louisiana’s natural climate and environment in the design and construction of environmentally-responsible houses that feature local architectural tradition.
Planetizen Top Ten Websites
The Louisiana Speaks website was named one of Planetizen‘s Top Ten Website of 2007. The annual list of the top ten websites represent some of the top online resources for those interested in planning, design, and development. The site served as a central repository for information regarding the effort — which simultaneously managed planning efforts aimed at the building, neighborhood, parish, and regional levels. Residents could look at demonstration house designs, track the progress of neighborhood and regional planning activities (as well as participate via a statewide poll), and review the maps, plans, and toolkits produced by various government bodies and their consultants.
Louisiana Urban Forestry Council Award
In 2000, CPEX was recognized with the Louisiana Urban Forestry Council Award for promoting urban forestry in Baton Rouge through Plan Baton Rouge.
Louisiana Chapter of the American Planning Association Outstanding Planning Award
In 1999, CPEX was recognized with the Louisiana Chapter of APA’s Outstanding Planning Award. The award was for Plan Baton Rouge in the category of a Large City Plan.
