Honors & Service Awards

Fellows

Award of Distinction

Chapter Service Award

2024 Recipient

Joel Berlin, CPLD, California Chapter

A compassionate and caring mentor to students in horticulture departments across San Diego County, Joel Berlin from the California Chapter was presented with the 2024 Chapter Service Award for his admirable mission to empower the new generation of landscape designers.

Joel’s enthusiasm for bringing new students into the fold of our APLD community has taken the Chapter’s goal of recruiting new student members to new levels. He has, very impressively, recruited 10 student members for the San Diego District, some of whom sit in on board meetings and have even gotten involved in the Chapter’s garden tours.

And as we enter the new year, Joel will take an exciting new step in diversifying his vision for recruiting and empowering students by accepting the position of membership chair in 2025 for the California Chapter of APLD.

Francesca Corra, CPLD, FAPLD, California Chapter

Francesca was nominated for her integrity, straightforwardness, and dedication to APLD. She is from California’s Greater LA District.

From early on in her journey with APLD, Francesca has consistently shown up. From volunteering at events to tackling the role of California Chapter President from the years 2018—2020 and serving on the APLD Board of Directors, she has contributed countless hours and efforts to our APLD community. Francesca’s enthusiasm and leadership made her a prime candidate for this award.

Becky Gross, Oregon Chapter

An integral member from the Oregon Chapter, Becky sought to revive the chapter following its near closure following the pandemic. She approached the daunting task with much resolve and grit.

Bringing together long-time members with the new generation of designers, Becky revitalized the Chapter, within a matter of months, so that it could flourish once again.

Now the President of the Oregon Chapter, Becky continues to find ways to grow and shape the local landscape design community upon the pivotal foundations she implemented almost five years ago. Not only is the Chapter officially back on its feet, equipped with energized members, but is anticipatory of the future successes to come.

Ellen Johnston, CPLD, FAPLD, Virtual Chapter

Having served on the first APLD Virtual Chapter Board, Ellen helped bring the Virtual Chapter to life.

Her longstanding commitment to the success of APLD’s Virtual Chapter has ensured the continual prosperity of the Chapter. Oftentimes filling in the gaps in Committee leadership, Ellen exhibits strong leadership and dedication that is invaluable to the Virtual Chapter.

Remaining on the Board as the Member at Large, Ellen continues to support the Chapter in various ways—including her leadership of the Virtual Chapter Nominating Committee which ensures strong, enduring initiative for the Virtual Chapter.

Judy Nauseef, CPLD, FAPLD, Virtual Chapter

A long-time APLD and Virtual Chapter member, Judy has championed innovative, educational webinars as well as invigorating conversations for our members.

Accentuating her exciting and cutting-edge webinars with her knowledge and personal connections with writers, designers, and speakers in the landscape design industry, Judy’s contributions to the education of members and non-members are monumental. She has helped to spark inspiration in members to log-on and participate in the Chapter’s educational programs.

Currently on the Education Committee in the capacity of Speaker Resource, Judy’s countless efforts to foster a space to learn and grow are invaluable to our community.

Harry Schuster Service Award

2024 Recipient

Danilo Maffei, CPLD, FAPLD

A true devotee of APLD, Danilo tirelessly praises and supports the organization and its members. He selflessly gives his time and energy to the APLD community in various ways, including taking on the role of President of the Board of Directors two times and serving on the chapter level with the Pennsylvania and Virtual Chapters.

His admirable knack for critical thinking and passion for landscape design makes him the ideal mentor as well. Inspiring colleagues and the new generation of landscape designers alike, Danilo’s efforts to promote APLD has and will have a lasting impact on our association and the industry.

Along with his impressive array of accomplishments in leadership and mentorship roles, Danilo has also played a pivotal role in recruitment efforts. He ceaselessly advocates the benefits of membership and encourages members to become active in the organization. He also promotes elevating the industry through APLD certification. Richard Rosiello, who presented Danilo with the award during the recent Town Hall and Annual Business Meeting, praised his efforts as a true APLD brand champion, saying, “Danilo is the perfect representation of this award’s purpose!” He also thanked him for his long-time work and dedication, “We are deeply appreciative of Danilo’s contributions to APLD and heartily congratulate him on this well-deserved award.”

Award for Leadership in Landscape Sustainability

2024 Recipient

Andrea Wilson Mueller, CPLD, FAPLD

Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet Chair and past recipient of this award, Toni Bailey, said, “Andrea has gone above and beyond in demonstrating the initiative and leadership qualities that we seek in our Landscape Sustainability Award recipient.”

Andrea has a genuine love and passion for sustainability which resides at the very heart of all her work. Several years into the profession of landscape design, she is the long-time owner and designer of Inside Out Design in Frankfurt, Kentucky. Andrea is known for her keen eye for environmental sustainability which focuses on native plant species. With a special love for reforestation, prairies, and land conservation, Andrea uses various native species to execute beautiful and unique landscapes.

Spearheading projects like the 2022 Josephine Sculpture Park Project which initiated the removal of invasive species from a local sculpture park and repurposed these species to create habitat “nests,” nothing goes to waste under Andrea’s watch.

To improve the sustainability of the park, Andrea and her team of community volunteers replaced the invasive species with 150 trees and shrubs and incorporated grasses, sedges, and 16 different perennials into a seed mix to be distributed throughout the sculpture park. Not only did Andrea and the team at Inside Out conduct the project but funded the efforts.

Her sustainable approach to landscape design extends to the classroom as well. Donating large projects to schools for over 17 years, including a raised edible garden for a local high school, while also educating the younger generation about sustainability, it is clear Andrea holds her community near and dear.

The diversity and expansiveness of Andrea’s projects are truly commendable. Year after year, she has actively demonstrated a love for the earth in her sustainable practices.