In a joint effort with the Maryland AIA, the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers, the Maryland Coalition of Interior Designers, and the Maryland ASLA an organization has formed called the Maryland Counsel of Design Professionals, which has begun to work toward increasing their influence in the state legislature.

Rick Kingsbury, Chair of the Legislative Committee for the MD/ASLA, testified earlier this year to the Maryland state legislature on a bill affecting landscape architects. While the bill, which would provide more funding for the state boards, did not pass, Kingsbury felt positive about the outcome saying, "This has opened dialogue between the design professionals. We (landscape architects) have (also) received support from engineers and architects in this past year when faced with threats of a sunset."

Kingsbury feels that with more communication, the issues that affect the working relationships of the design professionals can be worked out in an open forum. One issue mentioned was the question of where different services overlap. When the design professionals work together, not only can they collaborate to create a stronger voice in the government but they can also attempt to avoid "turf battles." For more information on how to become involved in the legislative committee, contact Rick Kingsbury at 410-467-7011.