April 19, 2025
Inside This Issue
TOP NEWS
ASLA Sends Tax Recommendations to Congress and Administration
ASLA Advocates Urge DOT Secretary to Support Green and Bike Infrastructure
ASLA Advocating for Tax Policies on Capitol Hill
ASLA Chapters Are Hosting State Advocacy Days Across the Country
NEWS
2025 State Legislative Session
ASLA/CLARB Licensure WebSummit
#PLADay a Success
Addressing Extreme Weather
Reducing the Cost of Licensure
FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
State Board Vacancies
 2021 ASLA Professional Honor Award in Urban Design. The CityArchRiver Project. St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. Client: Gateway Arch Park Foundation and the National Park Service. Photo Credit: Alex MacLean. |
TOP NEWS
ASLA Sends Tax Recommendations to Congress and Administration
On April 15, ASLA released its tax recommendations - Providing Tax Relief and Incentives for the Landscape Architecture Profession. From enhancing the Research and Development Tax Credit, to reinstating the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive, to maintaining federal tax-exempt status for municipal bonds, these recommendations will help landscape architecture firms and others to reinvest in and expand their operations, while also driving local communities forward.
ASLA Advocates Urge DOT Secretary to Support Green and Bike Infrastructure
Nearly 1,635 landscape architecture advocates signed the letter to DOT Secretary Sean Duffy about the benefits of green infrastructure and bicycle projects. The letter highlights some of the benefits of active transportation and green infrastructure projects and how landscape architects are leaders in designing these projects to benefit communities.
ASLA Advocating for Tax Policies on Capitol Hill
On March 25-26 the ASLA Government Affairs team joined hundreds of coalition members on Capitol Hill advocating for tax policies – The Freedom to Invest in America’s Workforce, and to encourage legislators to support continuing tax-exempt status for non-profit organizations. The ASLA team met with the following offices: Senators Ron Wyden (OR); Bernie Sanders (VT); James Lankford (OK); Michael Bennet (CO) and Representatives David Schweikert (AZ); Gabe Evans (CO); LaMonica McIver (NJ); and Morgan Griffith (VA).
State Advocacy Days
As of mid-April, about 17 Chapters are hosting State Advocacy Days, for 2025. State Advocacy Days are a great tool to keep state legislators informed about and active on policy issues important to the landscape architecture profession. ASLA can provide Chapters assistance to successfully implement these advocacy initiatives. If your chapter is planning a state advocacy day, please let us know at governmentaffairs@asla.org.
NEWS
2025 State Legislative Session
The government affairs team is tracking over 70 state legislative proposals. Members and chapters can track occupational licensure bills and legislation specific to the profession on the ALSA website. The State Government Affairs team continues to work closely with multiple chapters to address legislative proposals related to licensure and small business issues:
Adoption of the Uniform Standard for Landscape Architecture Licensure: The team has worked with the Georgia Chapter, Hawaii Chapter, Nebraska Chapter, New Mexico Chapter, South Carolina and Oklahoma Chapters on “Uniform Standard” legislation. Recently, the Oklahoma Board of the Architects, Landscape Architects, and Licensed Interior Designers met and approved proceeding with the necessary regulatory changes to align with the Uniform Standard.
Small Business Legislation: The State Government Affairs team notified the New Mexico Chapter about a procurement bill, SB 206, which proposed to raise the permitted costs of architectural and engineering services from $50,000 to $100,000. Amendments were then drafted to also raise landscape architecture services to the $100,000 threshold.
Continuing Education: With support from ASLA National, the North Carolina and Florida Chapters continue to advocate against legislation that would eliminate or weaken continuing education (CE) requirements in their respective states. In North Carolina, SB 451 would require the landscape architecture licensing board to reduce the number of CE hours per year by 50% or give licensees two years to meet the current required hours. In Florida, HB 1461 would eliminate continuing education for almost all professions, including landscape architecture.
Defending licensing boards: The State Government Affairs team is working with the Nevada Chapter, the Nevada state landscape architectural licensing board, and ARPL to oppose SB 78, a bill proposing structural changes to Nevada's professional licensing boards. Additionally, FL HB 1461 would also eliminate many licensing boards, including the landscape architecture licensing board, and move all board functions to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Chapter and their lobbyist recently testified against the bill.
ASLA/CLARB Licensure Summit
On April 2nd ASLA and CLARB convened the first Licensure WebSummit of 2025. Over 40 participants received an update on 2025 state licensure legislative and gubernatorial actions, uniform standard implementation, Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL) activities, and state advocacy days. Attendees were also encouraged to hold a State Advocacy Day in their state and to start planning to hold site tours this summer. ASLA members can access the Summit recording here.
 2017 ASLA Professional Honor Award in General Design. Central Seawall Project. Seattle, WA, United States. James Corner Field Operations LLC. Client: Seattle Department of Transportation. Photo Credit: James Corner Field Operations. |
#PLADay a Success
On April 2nd the profession of landscape architecture celebrated the second annual #PLADay as part of World Landscape Architecture Month. #PLA Day celebrates licensure and the profession’s dedication to ensuring public health, safety, and welfare. Visit your favorite social media sites and search for #PLADay to see all the posts and learn more about licensed landscape architects.
Addressing Extreme Weather
Recently, ASLA worked with Senator Ruben Gallego (AZ) to reintroduce the Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act, which would provide grants to communities for landscape architecture strategies to address heat mitigation, including green roofs, tree canopies, transit shelters, and more. ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen, Hon. ASLA was quoted in the Senator’s press release on the bill. ASLA advocates may use the iAdvocate Network to urge their legislators to support this measure.
 2022 ASLA Professional Award of Excellence in General Design. Palm Springs Downtown Park. Palm Springs, California, United States. RIOS. Client: City of Palm Springs. Photo Credit: Millicent Harvey. |
Reducing the Cost of Licensure
ASLA joined in supporting bipartisan legislation to help reduce licensure costs. The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce (H.R. 1151, S. 756) has been introduced in both the House and Senate. These measures would expand eligible expenses under 529 savings plans to cover costs associated with workforce training and credentialing programs, including government-issued licenses like landscape architecture licenses. ASLA is working to include this measure in the upcoming tax bill. ASLA advocates may use the iAdvocate Network to urge their legislators to support this measure.
FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Funding Available for Watershed Grants
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is requesting proposals for the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program. Landscape architects are encouraged to apply. The program funds projects that protect water quality and restore habitats in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Projects should engage communities, support nature-based solutions, and deliver measurable conservation and resilience benefits. Deadline: Proposals due May 13, 2025. Awards announced September 2025.
ASLA maintains a member-only list of federal grant opportunities that are especially relevant to landscape architects. Access the list here.
.jpg) 2020 ASLA Professional Award of Excellence in Urban Design. Dilworth Park. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. OLIN. Client: Center City District. Photo Credit: OLIN / Sahar Coston-Hardy. |
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
State Board Vacancies
Connecticut
Public Member (2) – Contact the Department of Consumer Protection, dcp.occupationalprofessional@ct.gov, for more information.
Delaware
Professional 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 application process is available here.
Iowa
Professional Member (1) - Interested in applying to become a part of the board? Submit an application here.
Nebraska
Professional Member (2) - Anyone licensed and living in Nebraska can apply online at Boards & Commissions | Office of Governor Jim Pillen.
New Hampshire
Public Member (1) and Professional Member (1) - If you're interested, please fill out the online form found here.
New Jersey
Professional Member (2) & Public Member (1) – Please contact Board staff for information on filling vacancies.
Ohio
Public Member (1) - Those interested in being considered for appointment to the Board may apply online with the Governor's office by submitting a Boards and Commission Application.
Pennsylvania
Professional Member (1) & Public Member (2) - Please contact Board staff for information on filling the vacancies.
Rhode Island
Public Member (1) - Please contact Board staff for more information.
Wisconsin
Public Member (1) - If you are interested in applying to serve, an application can be submitted to the office of Gov. Evers.
