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Coming Close‚Äö?Ñ????ë?????´?????¬¥?????Practice Act in Every State by 2010 Is ASLA Goal07-08-08 | News

Coming Close—Practice Act in Every State by 2010 Is ASLA Goal




The 2008 Licensure and Advocacy Summit VII fielded 58 ASLA members, representing 45 states and 41 ASLA chapters, including representatives from the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards and the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture.
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The first day of the summit featured New Mexico Rep. Joni Marie Gutierrez (D-33 District), who is a landscape architect.


The ASLA’s 2008 Licensure and Advocacy Summit (June 20–22) was held in Madison, Wisconsin and hosted by the Wisconsin Chapter. The summit is held every year to keep on track to have a Practice Act for every state by 2010. It’s an ambitious goal, as there are still nine states without a Practice Act:

  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • New Jersey
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

Vermont is the only state without any landscape architecture licensure, i.e., no Title Act, nor a Practice Act.

ASLA invites each state and each chapter to send a representative to the summit. The summit opened with discussion of each chapter’s current events, legislation and accomplishments. As discussions continued, topics included the value of communication between chapters and state boards, student involvement and the importance of patience and persistence in advocacy.

The first day featured New Mexico legislator/landscape architect Joni Marie Gutierrez, ASLA, who shared her experiences and perspective as a state legislator. Communication is the core of the summit, as chapters elaborate on their experiences to reach their goals. Participants discussed experiences of working with legislators, working with professions, and challenges still needing to be addressed.

As ASLA’s advocacy efforts continue, participants agreed it is critical to invite and encourage the involvement of students. Landscape architecture students are one key to accomplishing the 2010 deadline. Their fresh perspectives, energy and willingness to work for change could be vital.

 

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