Make Your Voices Heard: A Call to Action for Landscape Architects

by ASLA President Angela Dye, FASLA

The time is now for landscape architects to make their voices heard throughout the halls of Congress and in every state legislature across the country.

Ushering in a promised era of change, the 111th Congress officially began on Tuesday, January 6, 2009. State legislatures across the nation are convening their new sessions as well. For landscape architects, 2009 could be one of the most critical legislative sessions in recent memory. Federal and state legislators will begin addressing a number of important issues that will have a significant impact on our profession and, only with your help, landscape architects can shape these legislative efforts.

As landscape architects, we work within the framework of laws and regulations every day. Further, in the public realm, many of us are involved with projects that result from federal, state, or local funding. At this time of the “perfect storm,” we must stand up for the laws, regulations, and public programs that best exemplify the principles of the Society. ASLA cannot succeed in its efforts without building a strong, active Advocacy Network with landscape architects who demonstrate their expertise and make their voices heard at every level of government. I hope that you will join me as we push for healthier, greener communities; safer transportation corridors; a cleaner environment; and licensure in each and every state.

I urge every ASLA member to learn how to effectively use the Advocacy Network to send critical messages to your federal and state legislators by joining us for an Advocacy Network training webinar on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, at 1:00 PM EST. To sign up for the Advocacy Network training webinar, please send a message to governmentaffairs@asla.org. Prior to the webinar, you will receive an email message that will provide you with the link to the webinar site and a call-in telephone number.

In an effort to jump-start our nation’s lagging economy, the new Congress will immediately begin work on an economic stimulus package that could bring tremendous opportunities for landscape architects involved in the design and management of infrastructure projects. Further, Congress will begin to debate and assemble the omnibus surface transportation legislation, which includes Safe Routes to Schools, the National Corridor Infrastructure Program, Scenic Byways, Transportation Enhancements, and the Recreational Trails Program, to name a few.

Meanwhile, state legislators will be grappling with difficult economic realities, seeking their own stimulus efforts while also making tough budget decisions that could affect transportation, environment, parks, and other programs. Landscape architects should be on the record so that legislators understand valuable state programs before they end up on the chopping block.  

Congress and the states will also begin looking at innovative methods to reduce energy costs and consumption and to conserve our nation’s dwindling drinking water supply. More and more, legislators are beginning to critically examine the benefits of utilizing green infrastructure to reduce energy consumption, mitigate the effects of climate change, and create more healthful communities. Most important, the 111th Congress will also begin working with a new president and administration that supports efforts to design better, more livable communities and transportation corridors and to take other vital steps to protect our nation’s precious natural resources.

With federal and state legislators addressing these and other key policies that use the design expertise of landscape architects, 2009 is developing into the “perfect storm” for the profession. Thus, it is imperative that landscape architects take every opportunity to reach out to policy makers and educate them on how landscape architects have solutions to many of the problems facing our communities.

Along with personal one-on-one meetings with your legislators and their staff, ASLA’s Advocacy Network is the most important advocacy tool for helping to shape today’s policy debates. The Advocacy Network is an online system that allows landscape architects to communicate with federal and state representatives and serves as a great resource on advocacy techniques and the legislative process.

During 2008, ASLA members used the Advocacy Network to send more than 8,500 messages to federal and state legislators and helped to support important legislation, like the No Child Left Inside Act and Complete Streets legislation. However, with so many key issues coming before the 111th Congress, much more work is ahead of us. I hope that you will sign up for the Advocacy Network training and learn how to shape the political landscape.