By John Higgins

The Association of Atlantic Landscape Designers (AALD) is pleased to announce the certification of the first certified landscape designer from the AALD’s Certification Pro­gram. Ellen Ruddick of Grand-Digue, NB was juried and certified, March 22. A graduate of the Nova Scotia Agri­cultural College (NSAC) in 1980, Ms. Ruddick has worked in the landscape industry since graduation, specifically as a landscape designer with Price Contractors Ltd. of Moncton, NB since 1987. She is the current president of the AALD, and is active in the New Brunswick Horticultural Trades Association as past secretary-treasurer of that association.

     The history of the AALD and its certification program goes back to November 24, 1994, when a group of approximately 20 landscape designers met at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, N.S. to discuss the need for the recognition of the professionalism of landscape designers. From this meeting came a resolution to start a landscape designers’ association and subsequent certification program. One year and one day later, the Association of Atlantic Landscape Designers (AALD) was formed. Since then, the membership has grown to almost 40 individuals. The certification program was developed and put in place in September of 1999.

     Certification with AALD requires education in design theory, landscape graphics, design process, circulation, construction, landscape plant studies and design/maintenance relationships. A design portfolio exhibiting the proper stages of the design process, with appropriate documents and plans, as well as a comprehensive documentation of design work experience, are also required.

     Applications for certification are evaluated by a three-member jury currently consisting of John Higgins (chair), retired landscape horticulture faculty at NSAC; Tracey Mackenzie, current horticulture faculty at NSAC; and Anita Jackson, Horticulture and Communications faculty at Nova Scotia Community College, Nova Scotia Institute of Technology, Halifax.

     AALD executive and members congratulate Ms. Ruddick on her achievement.