Carolin Göhler becomes President-Elect of the Landscape Institute

The Landscape Institute has announced Carolin Göhler as its new President-Elect.

After its founding in 1929, and obtaining its Royal Charter in 1997, the LI now looks forward to a new and important chapter in its prestigious history as the chartered body for the landscape professions.

The President-Elect’s appointment will make her the Institute’s 45^th President, and she joins its members, staff, and volunteers, in a common cause to positively impact the biggest challenges for society and the environment.

Photo: National Trust

The President-Elect’s vision for her presidency (running June 2024-26) is to be an ambassador for the landscape professions (which span landscape architecture, planning, urban design, landscape management, landscape science and more), to promote their skills and knowledge, and champion their role across sectors to create inclusive, healthy, sustainable places – whether in built or natural environments. Leading the LI in connecting people, place, and nature, she will seek to amplify the importance of the landscape profession in contributing to the health and wellbeing of people and nature, protecting and enhancing both landscapes and heritage places, and ensuring that the design and management of everyday places fosters diversity and inclusivity.

The President-Elect has over 35 years’ experience as a Chartered Landscape Architect and Horticulturalist, and over ten years’ experience as a CEO in the charity sector. A specialist in horticultural innovation in heritage gardens and parklands, with time spent at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and as Parks Consultant for the National Trust, she has also worked at senior policy level, aiding the development of Cambridgeshire’s greenspace strategy. Previous roles at the LI include East of England Branch Chair (2008-14), Treasurer (2014-19), and Vice-President (2019-2021).

She will channel her wide-reaching experience to lead the Institute in building relationships across industry, government, and the public. From policy engagement to education, careers, and technical standards, the LI has an important role to play in representing the interests of landscape practitioners, and the wider public, at a critical time for nature and climate. Within the LI, she will focus on the charity’s strategic priorities of people, membership, and systems – enhancing value for an expanding and diverse membership community.

Carolin Göhler, President-Elect, Landscape Institute, said: “The President’s role requires representation of our profession and promotion of our work, benefitting the public, individuals and nature alike. We have a big role to play to mitigate, reduce and positively combat the climate and biodiversity emergencies, for perhaps never before has the value that landscape professionals can bring to all aspects of life been so important – in urban, rural and wild environments. It is a privilege to represent and celebrate our collective achievements, and while we still have work to do, with collaboration and determination, we can achieve so much more. I look forward to a new chapter to build a progressive and inclusive Institute.”

The Landscape Institute Board of Trustees said: “The Landscape Institute has a long history of positively impacting the health, wellbeing, and sustainability of everyday life in everyday places. The President-Elect is an ambassador for our profession, bringing a wealth of diverse experiences which will help us support our members, staff and volunteers, as well the wider industry, in delivering the important work that our planet demands, and ensuring that the Institute’s impact can continue to be a reliable force in this effort.”