APDesign In the News

Kansas State University Professor Lee R. Skabelund Elected to Prestigious ASLA Council of Fellows

The College of Architecture, Planning & Design (APDesign) at Kansas State University proudly announces that Lee R. Skabelund, associate professor of landscape architecture and member of the Prairie Gateway Chapter, has been elected to the 2025 Class of Fellows by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

Election to the ASLA Council of Fellows is among the highest honors the society bestows upon its members. This year, 50 individuals were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the profession and to society through works, leadership and management, knowledge, and service.

“The 2025 Class of ASLA Fellows reflects the very best of landscape architecture—visionary leaders whose work uplifts communities, restores ecosystems, and advances climate-ready design,” said ASLA President Kona Gray, FASLA, PLA. “Their careers are defined by excellence, service, and a deep commitment to shaping a more inclusive, resilient, and beautiful world. On behalf of the profession, I congratulate this year’s Fellows and thank them for raising the bar for what landscape architects can achieve.”

ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen added, “Each year, the announcement of a new class of ASLA Fellows is a powerful celebration of impact, innovation, and leadership in landscape architecture. The 2025 Class of Fellows has transformed places and policies, inspired future leaders, and advanced equity, resilience, and beauty in the built and natural world. We are honored to recognize their extraordinary contributions to the profession and to society.”

Skabelund has advanced the field through decades of teaching, research, and service that emphasize restored ecosystems and green infrastructure. His work integrates planning, design, advocacy, and the long-term management of sustainable systems in urban environments. He is especially known for improving the design and implementation of green roofs and green infrastructure in the Great Plains and similar climates.

At Kansas State, Skabelund established a green roof research hub featuring six distinct environments focused on native and adaptive plant species. His research has earned national and international recognition, including the 2021 Research Award of Excellence from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.

An ASLA member since 1990, Skabelund has contributed to environmental policy statements and held long-term leadership roles with ASLA’s Ecology and Restoration and Reclamation and Restoration Professional Practice Networks. He is widely recognized as an educator, researcher, and advocate for advancing landscape architecture’s ecological and community impacts.

The 2025 Class of ASLA Fellows will be honored at an investiture ceremony during the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture, scheduled for Oct. 10–13 in New Orleans. Full biographies are available at https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=67281.

Additional ASLA Fellows from APDesign at Kansas State University include Bill Sullivan (’85 MLA), Carisa McMullen (’93 BLA), and Christopher Cline (’92 BLA).

About the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national professional association for landscape architects in the United States, representing over 16,000 members.

ASLA Mission: Empowering our members to design a sustainable and equitable world through landscape architecture.
ASLA Fund Mission: Investing in global, social, and environmental change through the art and science of landscape architecture.