From The Publisher January 2000 Welcome to the New Millennium With a thousand years before the next millennium it seems odd to be tiring of that statement already, but such has the hype of the past 'K' (as in Y2) numbed the excitement of the new one . . . . Oh well . . . How do you like the new picture? As you can see, I've changed a lot over the past decade, and as such, am turning over a new leaf . . . That's right. . things are changing . . . Thanks to two Landscape Architects I met at the NRPA show in Nashville, I've had a mind-set change on the licensure issue. (Side bar: Several years ago I wrote with excitement that I actually had found a landscape architectural firm exhibiting at the NRPA Show. At the most recent show, about a dozen LA firms were exhibiting, it was attended by scores more, and even the ASLA had a booth . . . like I said. . things are changing!) Oh yeah . . . back to licensure . . . . Anyways, these two Landscape Architects (Sorry guys, I lost your cards, but you know who you are, and if you read this, please E-mail me at 'EarthManX@aol.com' and say hi . . .) Oh . . . did I get side tracked again??. . . OK . . . on with the changes . . . . Now, these two Landscape Architects and I were discussing the idea of letting landscape contractors test to be Landscape Architects. I, as some of you may have noted, have felt that it would be a positive way to enlarge the profession and gain more political and consumer clout. While many of you have written your opposition to that idea, I hadn't heard a really good argument against it until one of the two suggested that since such a low number of landscape architecturally schooled applicants pass the test, the number of landscape contractors able to actually pass the test would be too low to make a solid numbers impact. Good point. You see, I was willing to overlook the watering down arguments in lieu of gaining substantial numbers but, since history bears witness to a rather low rate of passage for the officially schooled, it just wouldn't be worth the monumental effort to alter the laws to permit these otherwise skilled professionals into the fold. Alas. . there must be other ways to solidify the profession and its licensure status . . . Did I say things are changing??? . . . Guess what, it must be a new millennium . . . The other day I got a call from ASLA Executive VP & CEO, Peter Kirsch. It seems as if the ASLA, with the inclusion of CELA, CLARB and hopefully the landscape architectural profession at-large, are forming a coalition dedicated to "preserving, expanding and upgrading licensure of the profession. . . . Once formed, the Coalition will undertake a united effort to provide the necessary support for licensure battles." In other words (OK, in my words . . .) it seems that ASLA and the other major LA organizations are recognizing the need to put forth a united and dedicated front in the licensure battle . . . is everything changing??? I know better than most that these things sometimes sound larger than they are (remember that Y2K bug?), so LASN will keep a close eye on the developments and commitments of the various organizations (I guess some things never change). However, this recognition and group effort is a definite step in the right direction . . . Way To Go! . . . And guess what . . . More changes are on the horizon . . . but I promised not to tell . . . at least for a little while . . . So . . . since I don't want you to feel totally lost with so many changes, LASN will continue to pursue issues affecting the profession in the years ahead. With that in mind, we'd like to hear from you on the following subjects. Please let us know how you feel about any or all of them. Especially let us know what we're missing . . . . How have the differences in state-by-state licensure regulations and/or ordinances affected your ability to gain or complete projects? The AIA is sponsoring their own open space awards specifically for Architects. How have you been affected by competition with Architects in areas that were traditionally reserved for Landscape Architects? At what level do Landscape Architects overlap with Engineers? How can this be overcome? What definition best suits each profession? What would your input be to define/separate the two professions? What associations do you belong to? Are they meeting your needs as a national or local organization? Which associations should LASN become affiliated with and cover in the news? This is an exciting time in the history of humankind . . . we look forward to walking along with you as the next thousand years begin to unfold. Happy New Millennium. . and God Bless . . .