February 20, 2008

Governance and Administration

• The Executive Committee met in Washington, D.C., on February 14-16.  Action items included:  approval of the first ASLA student affiliate chapter, at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, CA; approval of a statement on climate change (see Government Affairs); and review and discussion of issues and programs including the Sustainable Sites Initiative, growing the profession, the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System, a 2009 dues recommendation, and public policy revisions.  The committee also received a briefing on financial issues and audit procedures from ASLA’s auditors. 
  
  
• ASLA, received the Natural Resources Council of America’s (NRCA) 2008 award for best education effort for the headquarters green roof education and advocacy program.  The presentation was made at NRCA’s annual awards dinner on February 13, which featured a keynote address by House Appropriations Chair Dave Obey (D, WI).

Government Affairs

• On February 15, the ASLA Executive Committee approved the ASLA Statement on Climate Change.  This statement will be a useful tool for advocacy and public relations efforts.  PA/DE ASLA’s Global Warming Policy formed the impetus and background for this action.  Congratulations to all of YOU!!!
  
  
• Extensive work is going on at the state level in support of 50 by 2010.  In Washington State, a title act upgrade bill passed the Senate and was expected to be considered by a House committee in late February.  In Wisconsin, landscape architects are convened in Madison for consideration of their upgrade bill in committee.  Other states with activity (or waiting for consideration of their legislation) include Illinois, Michigan, and New Jersey.
  
  
• February 20 was ASLA’s second annual “In-District Lobby Day.” Thanks to the efforts of chapter presidents and other participating members, ASLA scheduled over 100 congressional meetings with legislators in their district offices.  Additional congressional meetings are also scheduled in the days and weeks ahead for chapters that were unable to make their visits today.  This year, ASLA members are urging their Members of Congress to sign onto a letter circulated by Representative Russ Carnahan (D, MO) to support funding for the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) and are urging their support for climate change legislation.  For additional information on the In-District Lobby Day events, contact Federal Government Affairs Manager Roxanne Blackwell.
  
  
• If you or your chapter were unable to participate in today’s In-District Lobby Day, please take this opportunity to help your society’s advocacy efforts by signing onto the Advocacy Network to contact your U.S. Representative to urge him/her to sign onto Congressman Carnahan’s letter to the Interior Appropriations subcommittee requesting funding for HALS.

Information and Professional Practice

• On February 19, ASLA Professional Practice department staff attended the National Building Museum’s lecture on the highlights, results, and lessons learned from the 2007 Solar Decathlon on the National Mall.  Among the notable features of solar houses built by university students were green walls and green roofs that provided insulation and allowed rainwater recovery.

Public Relations and Communications

• Staff are working with former NFL running back Eddie George, ASLA, on a television spot and web videos promoting careers in landscape architecture.  The television spot will run on ESPN, ESPN2, BET, MTV, and others during National Landscape Architecture Month.
  
  
• Staff assisted the Los Angeles Times with a story, featuring landscape architects, about hedges that surround California homes.  Additionally, the Las Vegas Review-Journal ran ASLA’s syndicate matte release on the headquarters’ green roof. To date, the green roof release has been used 152 times reaching more than nine million people.
  
  
• ASLA released the results from the latest quarterly business indicator survey. REALTOR magazine covered the results, as well as FOXBusiness.   More than 20 local FOX affiliates have run the story reaching over one million people.
  
  
• The latest issue of LAND Online included information on the 2008 national officer slate, a special message from President Howard, government affairs and PPN updates, and more.

Publishing and Resource Development

• Firm key contacts received an email blast from ASLA in mid-February promoting the free internship posting on JobLink during February, March, and April. 
  
  
• ASLA had a powerful presence at last week’s NAHB’s International Builders’ Show.  Staff distributed 1,000 issues each of Landscape Architecture and Garden Design magazines and promoted a special subscription rate to grow circulation.  Attendees were shown how to use Firm Finder and received a list of local landscape design firms. 
  
  
• The Professional Awards program received 520 entries.  Eighteen new professional members joined through the program. The jury will meet March 7-9 to select award recipients. 
  
  
• A total of 62 nominations were received for elevation to the Council of Fellows for 2008.  The jury will convene March 28-29.

Deadlines and Reminders 

• March 14 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.