April 2003

Landscape Architects Recognized in Congress
Thanks to the hard work of our South Carolina chapter including past president Greg Duckworth, an entry was included in the Congressional Record stating the merits of landscape architects in our society. Congratulations on a great recognition effort by South Carolina!
Click here to view the entry.

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ASLA Leaders E-Express...
April 23, 2003

The Board of Trustees met by conference call on April 16. Actions included approval of the FY04 revised and FY05 draft budgets and acceptance of the Licensure Committee report on membership qualifications. Via email the BOT also took the following actions: A change in the student membership dues structure, to include a Landscape Architecture subscription in the basic student membership, was approved; revisions to the environmental code passed.

President-Elect Susan Jacobson, FASLA, EVP Nancy Somerville, and Government Affairs Director Cara Welch met with Ramiro Villalvazo, ASLA, Chief Landscape Architect of the U.S. Forest Service, and Brad Cownover, ASLA, Chief Landscape Architect of the Bureau of Land Management to discuss partnering opportunities and current regulatory activities.

President-Elect Jacobson and staff met with Les Shepherd, Director, Center for Architecture, Engineering and Urban Development, General Services Administration, to discuss landscape architecture on GSA projects, GSA's design awards program, and partnering opportunities.

Other recent liaison and lobbying initiatives included: a Renewable Natural Resources roundtablewith Bruce Knight, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA, on the topic of the farm bill and technical service provider regulations; a discussion with Brad Cownover, ASLA, Chief Landscape Architect, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior, regarding the National Landscape Conservation System; a meeting with Rep. Earl Blumenauer's (D-OR) staff to discuss TEA-21 Reauthorization and the possible re-introduction of the Community Character Act; and a meeting with Cari Goetcheus, ASLA, Paul Dolinsky, and Charles Birnbaum, ASLA, all of the National Park Service, to discuss the Historic American Landscape Survey and upcoming legislative and other initiatives.

The Women in Landscape Architecture and the Therapeutic Garden Design Professional Interest Groups Spring 2003 newsletters are available through the group website and delivered directly to group members via their email listserv in PDF format.

A tree was planted April 22 on Capitol Hill in memory of the late Ian McHarg, FASLA. McHarg's family and close friends gathered to dedicate a Cornus florida beside the Cannon House Office Building. Carol S. McHarg, ASLA, three of McHarg's sons and a granddaughter were among the special guests. New Jersey Representative Robert Andrews requested that the tree be planted to remind lawmakers and staff of McHarg's teachings as they make decisions affecting the environment. Visit the ASLA website to view a news release and photographs of the event: http://www.asla.org/nonmembers/publicrelations/pressreleases/press.htm.

As part of ASLA's celebration of National Landscape Architecture Week and Earth Day, James van Sweden, FASLA, participated in a national radio tour. Van Sweden spoke with more than a dozen radio stations, two national radio syndicates, and two statewide (TX and IL) radio syndicates on issues including security design, green roofs, and how landscape architecture improves property values. Van Sweden promoted Firm Finder. Preliminary numbers indicate that we reached approximately 867,000 people during five of our live radio interviews. Check ASLA's web site for a link to a sample interview.

President Morris was the guest for a full hour live interview on the Food & Wine Radio Network on Tuesday, April 15. Topics included Earth Day, National Landscape Architecture Week, sustainable development, security design, and design for healthy living.

Other marketing initiatives to promote the profession include: a LATIS and Desktop Seminars on e-promotion; improving information about affinity programs; new signage for the exhibit booth to increase visibility of ASLA; and work on promotion and enhancement of Firm Finder.

Gary Brown, ASLA, chair of the professional interest group on Campus Planning has been working with the Society for College and University Planning to develop a closer relationship between the members of both organizations. A new list-serv has been placed on the SCUP website at: http://www.scup.org/communities/open-space.htm.

Education Director Ron Leighton attended the conference "Assessing Progress Towards Sustainability in Higher Education: Two Years Later". Three items stressed at the conference were the importance of student interest in sustainability, the need to have top campus administrators commit to sustainability, and how LEEDS is gaining increasing importance for campus construction projects.

The 2003 Chapter Initiatives Program application deadline is COB Friday, June 27

It is Official: North Dakota Governor Signs Law
On April 9, Governor John Hoeven signed H.B 1204, which establishes licensure for landscape architects in the state. Even though the bill faced strong opposition from several groups of allied practitioners, the legislature approved the bill by wide margins, first in the House (85-9) in February, then in the Senate (44-0) in March. The new law makes North Dakota the 47th state to enact licensure for landscape architects, and the 38th state to regulate the practice of landscape architecture.

The law adds the responsibility of regulating landscape architecture to the existing state Board of Architecture. The provisions that prohibit the practice of landscape architecture by non-licensed individuals go into effect January 1, 2005. The law also prohibits the use of the title or designation "registered landscape architect", "licensed landscape architect" or its variations unless the individual is licensed. Last-minute amendments stripped the definition of landscape architecture in the bill, but the definition is expected to be worked out in the regulatory process. The board is empowered to adopt continuing education requirements for both architects and landscape architects. While basic parameters for eligibility are established in the law (e.g., age limit, moral character), the specific educational and experience requirements will be left to the board to develop through regulations.

Local advocates note that the work is not yet finished, with the process of developing regulations just beginning. The law directs the Board to appoint two committees before July 15, 2003, the landscape architect advisory committee and the architect advisory committee. The committees, consisting of three landscape architects and three architects, respectively, are charged with assisting in implementation and coordination of landscape architect regulation.

Congratulations to Idaho
Good news is also cause for celebration in Idaho. H.B. 331, which strengthens the Idaho licensure law, was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, March 26 by a vote of 20-12. That bill has been sent to Governor Dirk Kempthorne for his signature. The bill does many things, and solidifies terminology so that there is no question that Idaho has a practice act, even though there was some confusion to that status. H.B. 331 was a result of negotiations with the local engineering group, and the chapter expects to continue work to strengthen their law in the years to come.

Congratulations to all of those who worked so hard in North Dakota and Idaho to succeed in getting this legislation passed. You are inspiration for those still fighting the good fight!