KINGSTON, R.I. – July 12, 2022 – University of Rhode Island Professor William Green has been elected to the American Society of Landscape Architects Council of Fellows, one of the highest honors the ASLA bestows on members. Green is among 27 members who will be elevated to Fellow during a ceremony at the 2022 Conference on Landscape Architecture in San Francisco in November.
Founded in 1899, the ASLA is the professional association for landscape architects in the United States, empowering its more than 15,000 members to design a sustainable and equitable world. The designation of Fellow is conferred in recognition of members’ contributions to the profession and society in such areas as their works, leadership and management, knowledge, and service over a sustained period.
“It is humbling and a great honor to be selected by my peers for doing the things that I have a passion for,” said Green, who was nominated for the Council of Fellows by the Rhode Island Chapter of the ASLA for his leadership and management over the years. “It has been very fulfilling to work with students on public projects that give vision to sustainable solutions. It has also been an honor to host the LAR lecture series in which speakers from around the country and abroad have visited campus, met with students and presented their projects and thoughts displaying the transformational power of landscape architecture.”
In his 41 years in the profession, Green has dedicated himself to championing sustainable design and to the insightful training of future landscape architects.
Green joined URI in 1992 after 11 years of professional practice in the Boston area and was instrumental in transforming the University’s landscape architecture program. Green, who served as chair of the department for 15 years, began his service-learning design studio at URI, providing real-world experience for students while helping meet community needs.
In the program, students work with stakeholders and professionals as they collect information, analyze sites, and run public workshops and charrettes in preparing master plans and final reports for communities. The design studios have produced award-winning proposals for communities such as Charlestown, East Providence, North Kingstown, South Kingstown and Woonsocket.
Green has also brought an array of professionals to URI to share their work experiences with students and the public through the URI Landscape Architecture Lecture Series, which he launched 28 years ago.
He has also served as regional director for the Council of Educators in Landscape Architects, as a representative on its Board of Directors, and chair of the CELA Sustainability Track Annual Conference. Among his pro bono services, he has worked with community organizations, including a local group of Holocaust survivors to establish a memorial in Providence. With his help on design, coordination, and presentation, the Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial was built and dedicated in 2015.
In announcing the 27 Fellows on June 28, ASLA President Jeannie Martin said, “Every landscape architect helps shape their community for the better, and ASLA Fellows represent the most accomplished and respected professionals in their field. Their exceptional contributions from coast to coast and internationally have helped advance equity, environmental sustainability and excellence in design and planning.”