Maryland Designates Landscape Architect's Day

BALTIMORE, MD

One small step by members of the Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (MD/ASLA) may represent a giant leap for the profession in the state. The Governor of the State of Maryland has proclaimed April 24, 1998 as "Landscape Architect's Day."

"[As Landscape Architects], we need to put ourselves in the public's eye and out in front of the community," remarked Thomas Russ, ASLA, who suggested that MD/ASLA send a letter to Governor Parris Glendening requesting he set aside a day to honor the profession. Russ and other chapter members worked closely with Lorraine Sheehan of Public Sector Consulting to get the proclamation issued.

Lynn Skillman Gulley, RLA, of Baltimore-based Earth Concepts spoke to LASN about the proclamation. Although she had not received any notice from the state, Gulley had heard through the grapevine about the governor's declaration. She considers it "a definite opportunity, yet it is up to the Landscape Architects to make it a useful tool. Until we decide to use it as an opportunity to educate our clients and the public about what we do for a living, it will just be a day of self-congratulation."

For state practitioners, the governor's proclamation has long-term benefits. "When we face renewal of licensure, we can use the proclamation as ammunition to prove that we deserve to retain our license," explained Scott Scarfone, ASLA.