Laura Morton, FAPLD
Professional Credentials
Laura Morton is certified through the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD).
One of the requirements of Certification is to maintain ongoing educational credits each year.
CREDENTIALS & TRAINING
2010–
present
Professional Landscape Design Certification
from APLD, with ongoing educational credits
2010
Permaculture Design Certificate #000253
from Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
2009
Sustainable Landscape Professional Certificate #G309513
from Green Gardens Group/LA
2002–
2004
Los Angeles Arboretum
- Compulsive Gardeners
Ongoing discussion and in-depth exploration of horticulture and landscape practices in Southern California.
1997–
2002
Los Angeles Arboretum
- Fanatic Gardeners
Course included espalier, history, and garden tours, with classes taught by Jan Smithen, a highly regarded teacher and speaker on the art & science of gardening.
1995–
1996
Los Angeles Arboretum
- Green Side Up
Here begins the basics of soil science, hydrology, and how to garden.
1996–
1998
UCLA
- Horticulture Program
Certificates in:
• Horticultural Therapy
• Feng Shui in the Garden
1996–
1999
UCLA
- Enrolled in Certificate Program for Landscape Architecture
MEMBERSHIPS
Association of Professional
Landscape Designers
- Sponsorship Chair of the California Chapter of APLD (2015–2018)
- California Chapter Membership Chair (2013)
- California Chapter President (2012)
- Co-founder and President of the APLD Greater LA District Chapter (2010)
- Designation as a Fellow of the association (FAPLD) in recognition of long-standing commitment and dedication to the association and the profession of landscape design (2019)
The Garden Conservancy
California Garden & Landscape History Society
CERTIFICATES & AWARDS
EDUCATION
UCLA
UCLA Landscape Architecture Certificate Program
(1996–1999)
1st Place Award —
Corona High School Campus- 1st Place Award —
Huntington Japanese Zen Garden
AWARDS
APLD
Association of Professional Landscape Designers
- 2024: Silver Award for Residential Design (for Casa Colibri project)
- 2023: Silver Award for Residential Design (for Ozeta House project)
- 2022: Gold Award for Residential Design (for Jardin Tranquilo project)
- 2021: Gold Award for Residential Design (for Casa Madrina project)
- 2021: APLD Chapter Services Award (view award list)
- 2020: Gold Award for Small-garden Design (for Dar Ben-Lisa project)
- 2020: Silver Award for Residential Design
(for English Manor in Beverly Hills project) - 2018: Silver Award for Residential Design (for Blue Bayou project)
- 2013: Merit Award for Residential Design (for Silverlake Jewel project)
- 2010: Merit Award for Residential Design (for Casa de los Arcos project)
- 2008: Gold Award for Residential Design (for Hollywood Oasis project)
CERTIFICATION
APLD
Awarded APLD Certification
from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers
(April 2010)
ABOUT APLD® CERTIFICATION
The APLD certification program provides professional recognition to landscape designers, based on established standards of excellence. This process encourages self-assessment by offering guidelines for achievement. Certification is available for Associate APLD members in good standing, who have been practicing landscape design for a minimum of four years.
The certification process is not an education curriculum per se. It is designed to evaluate the candidate’s submitted work, consisting of three installed projects and requiring drawings, plant list, design intent statement, and photographs.
To encourage certified members to continue their education, the APLD requires recertification every three years, with 30 contact hours of continuing education credit.
CERTIFICATION
THE ARBORETUM
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Permaculture Design Certificate #000253
(November 2010)
CERTIFICATION
THE GREEN GARDENS GROUP
Green Gardens Group/LA
Certified Sustainable Landscape Professional
Certificate #G309513
(May 2009)
CERTIFICATION
OFG / NWF
OceanFriendlyGardens.org
(Issued for Casa de los Arcos project)
NWF Wildlife Habitat™ Certificate #154,094
(Issued for Ozeta House project)
“This habitat is certified in the National Wildlife Federation’s worldwide network of mini-refuges. Because of the owner’s conscientious planning, landscaping and sustainable gardening, wildlife may find quality habitat—food, water, cover, and places to raise their young.”
(NOTE: Laura Morton’s Villa Pina and Casa de los Arcos projects are also Certified Wildlife Habitats.)
CERTIFICATION
THE GREEN GARDENS GROUP
Green Gardens Group/LA
Certified Watershed Wise Landscape Professional
(July 2020)
“Laura Morton has successfully demonstrated knowledge of irrigation system auditing and rainwater capture, and has passed the written examination, field exercises, and site evaluation required to be awarded the certification of Watershed Wise Landscape Professional.
Presented this day of: July 14, 2020”
BADGES
HOUZZ
Best of Houzz—Design Category (2017)
Best of Houzz—Client Satisfaction (2015)
Recommended on Houzz
(Visit Laura’s Houzz Page)
