JSR Foundation
 

In 1997 the JSR Foundation was formalized as the charitable arm of the Association of Landscape Architects Colorado Chapter with a mission to continue the legacy of Jane Silverstein Ries’ stewardship of the land. Today, the Foundation recognizes and supports sustainable and innovative projects and programs that conserve, improve and enhance the built and natural environments. The Foundation offers scholarships, grants, educational opportunities, events and programs that make the spirit of places endure in the Rocky Mountain region.
Board of directors >>
Photo Credit // John Birkey
Jane Silverstein Ries, FASLA
As the first woman to pursue a career in landscape architecture in Colorado, Jane Silverstein Ries, FASLA, was a pioneer. She graduated from the Lowthorpe School of Landscape Architecture in Groton, Massachusetts in 1932, and by 1934 had already opened her own landscape architecture office in Denver. Jane held the third landscape architecture license in the State of Colorado. Her career in landscape architecture spanned nearly six decades. Jane was ahead of her time with her philosophy of incorporating native plants and materials into her designs and built her projects to reflect, preserve and restore the natural environment. She was a strong voice in issues of land use and fought to conserve prairie, mountain landscapes, wildlife and urban spaces.

In 2005, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) awarded Jane the ASLA Medal, the highest honor bestowed on landscape architects. To date, she is one of three female recipients of the medal.

JSR Foundation’s mission to embrace the spirit of place ensures that Jane’s legacy of land stewardship and sustainability lives on.
JSR – Denver Public Library Archive Collection >>

View Jane's legacy in a retrospective exhibit of her career, featuring her garden design and landscape architecture work.
Link to Denver Public Library - Online Exhibit >>

 News
• September 2010 // JSR Fall Celebration
The JSR Fall Celebration was held outdoors at the Denver Botanic Gardens on a beautiful cool evening. The event celebrated the 2010 JSR Award recipient – Denver Botanic Gardens and the 2010 JSR Scholarship winner – Michael Brown of Colorado State University. The Foundation would like to thank the event sponsors for the evening – Howard Lorton Galleries, Valley Crest Landscape Companies, Design Concepts, DHM Design Corporation, Norris Design, Anderson Hallas Architects, and Mundus Bishop.

• September 2010 // JSR Award // Denver Botanic Gardens
The JSR Foundation is proud to announce the presentation of the 2010 JSR Award to the Denver Botanic Gardens. The gardens have been both a source of education and inspiration for the general public and landscape architects since its inception in 1951. The mission of Gardens is to connect people with plants through the expression of four core values - transformation, relevance, diversity and sustainability. Today DBG is a leader in education, horticulture, research, native plantings and the outdoor built environment.

• June 2011 // JSR Scholarship Awarded // Darren Duroux
The JSR Foundation is proud to announce Darren Duroux as the 2011 JSR Student Award recipient. Darren is a graduate of the landscape architecture program at Colorado State University. His work ‘Square One’ was selected from numerous applications and best represented the ideals of the JSR Foundation.