Landscape architect group honors Rocky

Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson has been named an honorary member of the American Society of Landscape Architects because of his Salt Lake City Green environmental program.

Anderson was one of 13 new honorary members named earlier this month. He was nominated by Jan Striefel, trustee of the Utah chapter of ASLA, whose nominating letter touted the mayor's "enlightened and dynamic leadership in the area of sustainable landscape design and regionally appropriate landscapes, all part of a distinct philosophical shift that places considerable focus on adopting practices that protect the environment."

Salt Lake City Green, which won a World Leadership Award in 2005, is a collection of policies, ordinances and executive orders focused on greening up the way the city does business. It includes energy efficiency, alternative fuels and renewable energy investments, recycling, open space, mass transit and other considerations.

Since its founding in 1899, ASLA has only named 111 honorary members. This time, Anderson was the only public official to be honored. Other honorees this month include educators, authors, experts from the nonprofit sector and others.