This spring, LASN is focused on growth, as the industry news found in this issue (lower interest rates, PLAs stepping up as leaders, expanded licensure, etc...) should incite optimism and provide opportunities for the profession to grow.

First, LASN has been continuously expanding its reach and is approaching 19,000 Landscape Architects (PLAs) who receive this magazine in the mail - out of 20,000 total, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, the BLS is only predicting a 5% increase in Landscape Architects through 2033. For reference, in 1995, there were about 15,000 PLAs. In each of the last three decades, that number increased about 10% on average, and while that was certainly impacted by new states adopting licensure in those years, it puts into perspective how small of a change 5% is. Overcoming this slow growth will test if the Society can produce even greater demand for Landscape Architects and then fill the demand with the most qualified and motivated PLAs.

 

It took about half a century for all states to have a license for Landscape Architects, but today, the bills governing them appear to be constantly changing. This issue of LASN alone has legislative updates on five states, with a significant development in the uniform standard licensure that CLARB began in 2022. Their model establishes that if the qualifications for licensure (including education, experience, and examination) are met, "the standard would achieve consistent licensure requirements across the United States and Canada." Now, Hawaii and Nebraska have joined Alaska, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, and Maine in adopting CLARB's uniform standard (see page 90), marking another step forward in national recognition and reciprocity.

CLARB's efforts are a good start that open a door for the ASLA to make progress to increase the demand for PLAs. That's why it's important to have PLAs in leadership positions. As such, the society is hosting their elections in May and have nominated two Practicing Landscape Architects to be the next association president-elect: Jennifer Nitzky, PLA, FASLA, ISA with Studio HIP and Gretchen Wilson, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP with Dig Studio. Both work for firms that have had featured projects in LASN in recent years, including Studio HIP's PS 152 Community Playground in the September `21 Issue and Dig Studio's Gilbert Regional Park in March 2021. LASN reached out to Wilson and Nitzky, who were gracious enough to provide us with exclusive quotes regarding their nominations (see page 93). As always, we look forward to working with the ASLA and their new leadership.

Licensure's continued evolution and the emergence of strong leaders signals a promising future for Landscape Architects that is hopefully positioned to increase demand far beyond 5%.


God Bless . . .
Aaron Schmok, Editor