March 2, 2024

Inside This Issue

TOP NEWS

• ASLA Advocating for Licensure Affordability
• ASLA Recommendations for President's Budget Request
• ASLA 125th Anniversary Proclamation Template Now Available
• Policy Internships for Landscape Architecture Students – Apply Now!

NEWS

• ASLA Advocating for Water Management Projects
• Tracking Licensure Legislation
• State Climate Legislation
• State Advocacy Days Under Way
• ASLA Federal Advocacy Campaigns – Take Action!

UPCOMING ASLA WEBINARS

• Licensure Web Summit (3/13)
• Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (3/19)
• Federal Advocacy Updates (3/21)

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

• Sponsorships Needed: ASLA-CLARB Licensure Summit
• Funding Highlight: Western Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects
• Women of Color Licensure Advancement Program
• NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance
• LARE Prep Workshops
• CLARB Research Study
• State Board Vacancies

TOP NEWS

ASLA Recommendations for President's Budget Request

• ASLA sent recommendations to the White House for the President's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request. The letter urges increased federal funding for nature-based solutions, biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation and adaptation, water management and infrastructure, national parks and public lands, and active transportation. It highlights specific programs that landscape architects access the most, such as Community Development Block Grants, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants, and many others.

ASLA Advocating for Licensure Affordability

• Earning and maintaining state licensure is critical to public health, safety, and welfare, as well as landscape architecture competitiveness and professional respect. ASLA recognizes that the financial costs of licensure can be burdensome, especially for young professionals. To help defray these costs, ASLA has spent this week on Capitol Hill advocating for the bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act. This bill would expand eligibility of 529 accounts to cover costs of post-college credential expenses. This includes studying for and taking the LARE, earning continuing education credits, and paying renewal fees.

ASLA 125th Anniversary Proclamation Template Now Available 

• This year, ASLA is celebrating a milestone - its 125th Anniversary! The ASLA Government Affairs team has developed guidance and model language to assist Chapters in securing a resolution/proclamation celebrating the 125th Anniversary of ASLA. Resolutions and Proclamations are a great way to bring honor and attention to important issues and unique circumstances.

Policy Internships for Landscape Architecture Students – Apply Now!

• To help place students in positions to be policy changemakers, ASLA has created a new Student Policy Internships resource that highlights policy opportunities. From internships in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to governors’ offices, state legislatures, and more, this resource is filled with internships and resources cultivated by the ASLA Executive Committee.

NEWS

ASLA Advocating for Water Management Projects

• ASLA is working with Representative Nikema Williams (GA) to pass the Water Infrastructure Sustainability and Efficiency (WISE) Act. This legislation would increase the use of nature-based solutions in projects under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). Recently, the Biden-Harris administration announced $5.8 billion of new investment for the CWSRF. These funds provide states with the flexibility they need to respond to their most critical water management issues. The WISE Act would ensure that at least 20 percent of this investment, or $1.16 billion, would go to nature-based solutions and other innovative landscape architecture projects.
• ASLA Federal Government Affairs continues to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Congress to ensure landscape architects continued involvement in public works water projects. On February 28, 2024, ASLA Federal Government Affairs attended a Senate hearing on the Water Resources Development Act, which highlighted USACE water infrastructure projects, programs and priorities. Read ASLA's House of Representatives congressional testimony on working with USACE.

Tracking Licensure Impacts

• As of March 8, 42 states have convened their legislative sessions. ASLA is tracking 125 occupational licensure bills. As licensure bills and legislation specific to the landscape architecture profession are introduced, members and chapters can track them on the ALSA website.
• Over the last month the State Government Affairs team has worked closely with several chapters to comment on or respond to legislative proposals and agency activities related to licensure:
  • New Hampshire continues to be a priority. House Bill 1408 proposed to merge the Board of Landscape Architects with the Board of Architects and provide two seats for each profession and one seat for a public member. On Wednesday, March 6, HB 1408 received an “interim study” recommendation by the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee. This is a polite way to kill a bill in New Hampshire.
  • The team has continued to coordinate with the Arizona Chapter and members of the Technical Registration Board (the licensing board) on HB 2253. This legislation would extend the Arizona Board of Technical Registration until July 1, 2032. On February 26, HB 2253 passed out of the House chamber and is now being considered in the Senate. We have concerns in the Senate where lawmakers hostile to licensure may attempt to amend the bill by changing the sunset date from eight down to two or four years and/or reducing the level of occupational regulation.
  • The team is tracking Alabama legislation (HB 267) that would enable the state licensing board to issue regulations aligning the state’s qualifications for licensure with CLARB Uniform Standard for licensure.
  • The team has also worked with the Idaho/Montana Chapter on testimony opposing a House Bill 505 which would change landscape architecture license renewals from an annual to a biennial cycle and raise the renewal fee limit to $400. The Idaho licensing board is a joint board of the architects and landscape architects, with both professions currently on an annual renewal cycle. A change to a biennial renewal cycle would only impact landscape architects.
  • The team continues to support the Iowa Chapter in their efforts to oppose (SF 2385) licensure board consolidation with the architecture board.

State Climate Legislation

• State Government Affairs is tracking 53 bills related to climate change. Each bill can create new opportunities for landscape architects to lead state-level mitigation and adaptation efforts. Each bill also represents an opportunity for landscape architects to advocate for the profession with state policymakers.

State Advocacy Days Under Way

• The best time to advocate for licensure is before it becomes subject to a deregulation bill in your state. Proactively engaging, educating, and building relationships with state legislators will help to develop an understanding of the profession and an appreciation for the health, safety, and welfare impacts of landscape architecture. Hosting a State Advocacy Day is therefore a crucial advocacy effort for all chapters.

ASLA Federal Advocacy Campaigns

• ASLA needs all advocates to use the iAdvocate Network to take action on issues critical to landscape architects. From licensure to climate and biodiversity, to water management, green schools, and more, your grassroots action is needed to help move ASLA policy agenda forward. Take action today!

UPCOMING ASLA WEBINARS

Licensure Web Summit

• All ASLA members are invited to join us on Wednesday, March 13 at 3pm ET for our first Licensure Web Summit of 2024. ASLA and CLARB staff will provide an update on legislative sessions and licensing reform efforts — including legislation to reform licensing departments, proposals to merge professional boards, and opportunities to review and challenge licensing in jurisdictions. We'll also provide an overview of 2024 ARPL activities and updates on Uniform Standard implementation progress. Register today!

Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing

• Registration is now open for the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing’s (ARPL) next state partner webinar on Tuesday, March 19, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Elizabeth Hebron (ASLA) and Josh Twitty (NCEES) will share insights and observations from state legislative sessions and communications priorities for the year ahead. Topics include:
  • Important legislative updates and emerging policy trends
  • New public opinion research about responsible licensing
  • New communications regarding workforce development and AI

Federal Advocacy Updates

• Learn about ongoing and upcoming federal advocacy activities and how to get your chapter members involved. From biodiversity and climate action, to federal funding for landscape architecture projects, to virtual advocacy day, and setting ASLA’s priority agenda, there is something for all advocates. Join us on Thursday, March 21, at 3:00 PM Eastern for this important federal update. Register here in advance.

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsorships Needed: ASLA-CLARB Licensure Summit

• We are excited to announce the official launch of sponsorship and expo sales for the upcoming 2024 ASLA + CLARB Landscape Architecture Licensure Summit: Empowering Opportunity. This unique event unites landscape architecture advocates and licensure boards to delve into the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in landscape architecture licensure. Explore a diverse array of sponsorship opportunities and expo spaces, offering a prime platform to showcase your brand, products, and services to a highly engaged audience. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect with industry leaders in Buffalo, NY, from September 16-18, 2024. Secure your sponsorship or expo space today and be part of shaping the future of landscape architecture licensure! For additional information on sponsorship details and opportunities, please contact Daniel Martin, Hon. ASLA.  
   

Funding Highlight: Western Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects

• Through the Large-Scale Water Recycling Program, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will provide up to 25 percent Federal cost share for water recycling projects that have a total project cost greater than or equal to $500 million. Large-scale water recycling projects will play an important role in helping communities develop local, drought-resistant sources of water supply by turning currently unusable water sources into a new source of water supply that is less vulnerable to drought and climate change. Learn more here, and submit an application prior to 11/26/2024 at 5:00pm ET. To find other federal funding opportunities, visit the member-only ASLA Funding Hub.

Women of Color Licensure Advancement Program

• ASLA has established the Women of Color Licensure Advancement Program. The program aims to increase racial equity and gender diversity within the profession. The program provides cohorts of 10 outstanding women with $3,500 to cover LARE costs, along with exam preparation courses, resources, and mentorship from a licensed landscape architect. In 2023, the inaugural cohort made great strides and ASLA selected a second cohort to begin the journey to licensure. Donate to this program today!

NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance

• ASLA invites talented landscape architects like you to join the NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program as volunteer technical assistance providers. By lending your expertise, you can help enhance parks, recreation areas, waters, and wildlife habitats across the nation. Benefits include valuable experience, along with the possibility of your firm paying for volunteer hours. Reply ASAP to express your interest and receive further details. Learn more here (passcode: E^Pvh7^d). Join us in making a difference for our natural spaces!

LARE Prep Workshops

• Ready to conquer the L.A.R.E. this year? Enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities with our on-demand “High Level Testing” webinar. Only $35 for members! ASLA also has on-demand recordings of the four workshops are now available—Inventory, Analysis, and Project Management; Planning and Design; Construction Documentation and Administration; Grading, Drainage, and Stormwater Management.

CLARB Research Study

• The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) invites practitioners to participate in a research study around emerging areas of practice that impact the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the environment but may currently fall outside of regulated practice. Please set aside 20-25 minutes to share your perspective and provide valuable input on this research. You can start and stop this survey, provided you use the same device, and have cookies enabled. The survey closes March 31, 2024. If you have questions or would like additional information about the survey, please contact Rebecca Moden at CLARB at rmoden@clarb.org.

State Board Vacancies

Connecticut

Public Member (2) – Contact the Department of Consumer Protection, dcp.occupationalprofessional@ct.gov, for more information.

Delaware 

Public Member (1) - Information to serve on the board is provided by the Division of Professional Regulation. 

Florida 

Professional Member (5) & Public Member (2) - Information on the board is available here and the application process is available here. 

Iowa 

Professional Member (2) - Interested in applying to become a part of the board? Submit an application here. 

New Hampshire 

Public Member (1) - If you're interested, please fill out the online form found here. 

New Jersey

Professional Member (1) & Public Member (2)

Pennsylvania 

Professional Member (1) & Public Member (2) - Please contact Board staff for information on filling the vacancies. 

Rhode Island 

Public Member (1) - Please submit your "Letter of Interest" and "Resume" to Donna.Costantino@dbr.ri.gov. 

Washington 

Professional Member (1) - If you’re interested in applying for a position on the board, please visit the Governor’s website 

Wisconsin 

Professional Member (1) & Public Member (1) - If you are interested in applying to serve, an application can be submitted to the office of Gov. Evers.