Byron Sampson Elevated to ASLA Council of Fellows

PHOENIX, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (AZASLA) is proud to announce that Byron W. Sampson, ASLA, of Arizona State University, has been elevated to the ASLA Council of Fellows—one of the highest honors the American Society of Landscape Architects bestows upon its members.

Sampson's nomination in the category of Leadership/Management recognizes his outstanding 45-year career focused on sustainable, place-based design and his leadership in transforming landscapes to meet the evolving needs of communities. Over the past two decades, his impact has been particularly significant at Arizona State University (ASU), where he has served as the institution's first university landscape architect. Under his leadership, ASU's five campuses have undergone a dramatic transformation, moving away from a "resort oasis" aesthetic toward landscapes grounded in the ecology and character of the Sonoran Desert.

Sampson's work at ASU includes:

• Establishing comprehensive site amenity standards that address sustainability, visual character, multimodal transit, and local material sourcing.
• Developing a public art master plan and creating a tree bank initiative.
• Leading efforts to eliminate non-functional turf, helping to establish ASU's Sustainable Urban Ecology group.
• Coordinating rapid deployment of outdoor classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic to support alternative learning formats.

In addition to his work at ASU, Sampson has served two consecutive terms as Chair of the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission and serves as a board member of the Black Landscape Architect Network (BlackLAN), where he advocates for diversity and representation within the profession.

"Byron has cultivated a reputation as a leader and visionary amongst the network of campus landscape architects who seek to make college campuses places that nurture intellectual, cultural, and community growth for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of modern American universities." said the AZASLA Trustee and Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture at ASU, Kenneth Brooks. "When Byron participates as an instructor or a visiting critic, students are inspired, motivated, and enthusiastically positive in their view of the value of the profession and in their own future as professional landscape architects." 

This year, ASLA has elevated 50 members to the Council of Fellows for their exceptional contributions to landscape architecture and society. Fellowship is granted in recognition of works, leadership/management, knowledge, and service. The 2025 Class of Fellows will be formally inducted during a special investiture ceremony at the 2025 ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture. More information is available on the ASLA Council of Fellows webpage.

For media inquiries, contact:

Kevin Scholfield

Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects

Email: communications@azasla.org

Website: www.azasla.org

ABOUT AZASLA

The Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (AZASLA) is the professional association representing landscape architects across Arizona. As one of the many state chapters of ASLA, AZASLA advocates for the advancement of the profession through education, advocacy, professional development, and community engagement. The chapter supports its members—students, emerging professionals, and licensed practitioners—through a wide range of events, design competitions, outreach initiatives, and legislative advocacy. AZASLA is committed to shaping resilient, healthy, and beautiful environments that reflect Arizona's unique ecological and cultural landscapes.

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SOURCE ARIZONA CHAPTER OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS