Seminar Dates: November 4, 2026 1:00 PM
Seminar Cost: $30.00 Register Now
Seminar Description:
PANEL DISCUSSION
Though it’s been over a year since the Palisades and Eaton fires devastated Southern California communities, the rebuild is ramping up — and the window to shape how it unfolds is closing. This panel brings together association leaders from building, landscape architecture, landscape maintenance, and arboriculture for a frank, birds-eye assessment of the recovery effort.
Panelists will share progress updates within their disciplines, surface blind spots and cross-industry gaps, celebrate wins, and identify the knowledge and skills practitioners need most right now. Whether attendees design, install, or maintain, they will walk away with real-world insight and actionable guidance for navigating the rebuild and for building greater fire resilience into everything they do going forward.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the current progress, persistent bottlenecks, and cross-disciplinary gaps in the post-fire rebuild as reported by professionals in building, landscape architecture, landscape maintenance, and aboriculture.
2. Evaluate practice strategies and emerging best practices that design, installation, and maintenance professionals can apply immediately as rebuild activity accelerates.
3. Recognize opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration between building, landscape architecture, landscape maintenance, and aboriculture professionals to strengthen fire-resilient design, construction, and long-term maintenance both in preparation for and in response to future wildfire events.
Jeff Montejano - CEO, BIA SoCal
Jeff Montejano is the CEO of the Building Industry of Southern California, which is considered one of the largest building associations in the United States. His tenure includes several advocacy victories for the region’s largest landowners, home builders, and contractors, based on his relentless instigation for game-changing advocacy strategies.
With 25 years of experience as a strategic adviser to Fortune 500 companies, governmental agencies, and elected officials, Jeff helped create numerous high-profile communications initiatives, specifically in advocacy, advertising, media, and crisis management.
Before serving as President and Vice President of two large public affairs firms specializing in transportation, and land-use projects, Jeff was director of two major political action committees - the New Majority and GenNext - and worked on several political campaigns, including George W. Bush’s first election. Jeff also held the chief of staff and legislative positions in the California State Legislature, including working for the Senate and Assembly minority leaders.
Jeff’s philanthropic involvement includes board member positions for the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club, Tilly’s Life Center, a charitable foundation for children, and Rebuild Southern California, which focuses on infrastructure funding, workforce development, and creating construction jobs.
Alyssa Moffit, PLA, ASLA - Climate Action Chair, ASLA Southern California Chapter, Founder of Terra Brava Landscape Architecture in Santa Barbara
Following the catastrophic fires in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, Alyssa joined forces with President Melanie Buffa and CCASLA Delegate (and CEO of Altadena Green) Stephanie Landregan to launch the ASLA Southern California Wildfire Task Force. Together, they advocated for sound Zone 0 regulations, sought ways to volunteer in the Palisades and Altadena communities, and participated in cross disciplinary panels to seek holistic rebuilding practices that minimize risk yet does not compromise our delicate ecosystems.
Wildfire resilience has long been a central concern to her, both as it pertains to our ever-changing climate and to her lived experience after a fire swept through her home in Santa Barbara County. Her perspective is that we must find ways to balance fire resilience with an overall ecological resilience that takes into consideration the need for tree canopy and a vibrant, green environment for healthy communities.
As the current Climate Action Chair for the ASLA Southern California Chapter, Alyssa has organized several education opportunities, including in-person Fire Resilience Training with fellow TLE Speaker Doug Kent to Regenerative Grazing and Sustainable Materials Sourcing. She is currently working with the Climate Action Committee to develop a prototype for a sustainable and local materials database.
Stephanie Landregan, PLA, MsPM, FASLA - Founder of Altadena Green, ASLA California Council Southern California Director
In June of this year, Stephanie Landregan, FASLA, became the Director of Altadena Green, a grassroots organization of volunteer landscape professionals who have deep connections to the community and have coordinated efforts to preserve trees and share resources for residents as they embark on the process of bringing Altadena back to life.
For 17 years, Stephanie was the Director of the Landscape Architecture Program and the Horticulture & Gardening Program at UCLA Extension. Her areas of teaching include natural systems design, green infrastructure storm water design, community facilitation, water conservation design and installation, and pollinator design. Previously as the Chief Landscape Architect for the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, Stephanie worked for nine years in the Wildlife Urban Interface (WUI) in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. In February 2025, she supported the Blue-Ribbon Commission on Fire-Safety Recovery initiated by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk. Stephanie is one of two SoCal Directors with the California Council of ASLA.
Ms. Landregan is a registered licensed landscape architect in the State of California, 4093 and a LEED Accredited Professional BD+C. She holds a Bachelor of Art from the University of Kentucky in 3-Dimensional Design, and a Master of Science in Project Management from UW Platteville.
