February 21, 2007

• Representatives of ASLA, CLARB, the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects participated in a conference call to discuss current efforts and concerns regarding continuing education. The call included review of other professions’ continuing education programs. The next call will focus on standards for continuing education programs and providers, including the definition of health, safety and welfare.
  
  
• The search for a new CLARB Executive Director is underway. See the full advertisement for additional information. The deadline for applications is March 30.
  
  
• April is quickly approaching and chapters are busy planning National Landscape Architecture Month (NLAM) activities. The theme is “Discover Careers in Landscape Architecture” and the goal is for every chapter to host at least one public outreach activity during April. Events will be posted online and ASLA staff will help with planning promotion and media outreach. The American Horticultural Society, the ACE Mentor Program, the National Building Museum, the International Federation of Landscape Architects and the Urban Land Institute have signed on as partners. Planetizen is planning a series of feature stories on landscape architecture, including an article by Rodney Swink, FASLA. Home Improvement Magazine is covering NLAM in upcoming issues. Public relations staff is working with the Chevy Chase branch of the DC Public Library to schedule a panel discussion with ASLA members about green building solutions for the District to be featured during April. If you have an event that would compliment the NLAM effort, please contact Lisa Vavro for more info on how to get publicity support.
  
  
• Nearly 560 professional entries were received for the 2007 Professional Awards Program, the second largest number in ASLA history. The jury will meet March 9-11 in Washington, DC, to select recipients.
  
  
• ASLA has invited key media representatives to participate in a series of Media Roundtables at the 2007 Annual Meeting. The roundtables will be organized by audience/subject: Industry, Green, Consumer, National Newspapers and Blogs. Representatives from The San Francisco Chronicle, Metropolis, Architectural Record, Planning, Garden Design, Cooking Light, House & Garden, the Los Angeles Times, Multi-Family Housing Trends (ULI), ArchNewsNow and Archinect will participate.
  
  
• The American Airlines Sky Radio piece promoting NLAM featuring Executive VP/CEO Somerville is available online on the National Landscape Architecture Month Resources page, the Career Discovery page, and the Green Roof Press Coverage page.
  
  
• There were 70 nominations for Fellow received compared to 65 last year. There are seven nominations under Administrative, seven nominations under Knowledge, 18 nominations under Service and 38 nominations under Works representing 33 chapters. The Council of Fellows executive committee nominated two members—one from the Texas chapter and one from Japan, which is the only international nominee this year.
  
  
• The Sustainable Sites Initiative has launched its first two technical subcommittees, which will focus on soils and waste/materials management. Preliminary reports from the committees will be released in the fall for review and comment.
  
  
• ASLA, a sponsor of the recent New Partners for Smart Growth meetings in Los Angeles, was represented at this three-day event. Attendeescame froma wide range of disciplines and interests,including urban planning, landscape architecture, architecture, public health and environmental advocacy.
  
  
• Stand Up and Be Heard! Members are strongly encouraged to participate in the National Park Service (NPS) National Mall public input period before the March 16 deadline. Government Affairs Coordinator Heather Morris, Associate ASLA, will collect comments and suggestions from members and submit them on March 16. This is a prime opportunity for landscape architects to lend experience and expertise to the development of a management plan for America’s most visited national park. For more information, visit http://www.asla.org/land/2007/0213/nps.html.
  
  
• ASLA’s inaugural In-District Lobby Day will be held on March 5. More than 70 meetings are expected. Staff is currently preparing meeting packets that will be sent out to participants on February 26.
  
  
• Colorado legislation to establish licensure for landscape architects has cleared its first hurdle and now moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Licensure legislation has also been introduced in New Jersey, Illinois and Washington State. Several more states are expected to consider bills. Other states are considering changes to their licensure law, including New Mexico, Texas and Missouri.
  
  
• March 2 is the deadline for submitting nominations for ASLA Honors, including the ASLA Medal; the ASLA Design Medal; the Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal; the LaGasse Medals; the Landscape Architecture Medal of Excellence; the Olmsted Medal; the Landscape Architecture Firm Award; and the Community Service Award. Instructions are available online. If you have questions, please contact Honors and Awards Coordinator Carolyn Mitchell at 202-216-2331 or cmitchell@asla.org.