I could write about how wonderful parks are and how cool the projects are in this issue. After all, LASN?EUR??,,??s editorial team has put together a great package for your amusement and for your education.

The whole concept and planning of parks has entered an age where science and art are sewing together a wonderful quilt. With land at a premium . . . Even in today?EUR??,,??s market . . . anything that isn?EUR??,,??t being developed is being developed into some form of appropriated open space.

Parks are increasingly in the public eye and as such are great avenues to promote the profession of landscape architecture and the hard value of your work to the community.

I could write about all that stuff, but that would be like preaching to the choir. I mean . . . you all know how important your work is and more and more, so does the public . . .

So . . .

In light of the current world of development I find myself writing about how now is a great time for the profession to move forward.

2010 is right around the corner. Now is the time to build momentum into the next decade. Certainly competition among the design and build professions will produce winners and spark demand at all levels. From designing the largest projects with huge multinationals down to 1.2-acre strip mall parking lots, somebody will be doing the work at the fringes. That could be them . . . That could be you . . .

I know, I know . . . More preaching . . . But sometimes we get so caught up in looking at today, that tomorrow seems like a real long way away . . .

Have you actually taken the time to examine your practice and evaluate your key clients and potential markets? This is a simple step, but a step that should be done formally . . . in writing, with as many people involved as is practical. When you get the results, you may find surprises and you should find trends that can help direct your marketing efforts.

Then you have to ask yourselves . . . Are you reacting to the downturn or are you reacting to the possibilities? I recently went to the California Landscape Contractors trade show in Los Angeles and saw a great many c-27?EUR??,,??s and a few landscape architects. What struck me was so many were still adapting to the downturn. In fact, more than I remember ever before, the attendees were searching for validation for the type and size of the projects they were fighting for with words like, ?EUR??,,??I?EUR??,,??ll take anything I can get . . .?EUR??,,??

While there may not be a lot of multi-million dollar landscapes going on up in the hills of L.A., there is still work to be had. It could be transportation corridors, it might be water retention, maybe regenerative wetlands or even resource/energy producing design. It might even be that strip mall . . . For whatever needs to be done, those who have a plan will naturally gain a larger share than those who rely on chance or, dare I say, reputation . . .

Heck even we at LASN are expanding. In fact, LASN has taken this time to completely revamp its circulation and Internet departments.

With this issue we have added several thousand new landscape architects and specifiers to the circulation, growing that targeted monthly distribution by more than 12 percent. Additionally, we have linked our in-house database with the LandscapeOnline Find-A-Pro listing service to make both more responsive to your needs and to eliminate redundant workloads.

You may have just received an issue with a Cover Page that asks you to complete the demographic response card. Well . . . if you want to see the real cover when the magazine comes in the mail . . . get ?EUR??,,??er done . . .

As a service to the advertisers and to better serve the readership (that means you), LASN is retooling its demographic profiling. In fact, we have embarked on a yearlong campaign to update every single reader?EUR??,,??s demographic profile.

Why is this important? Well, every six months or so we sit down to review the upcoming editorial direction of LASN. Armed with ?EUR??,,??more complete?EUR??,,?? information about you all, LASN will be better able to provide you with information you need to compete and succeed in this market.

So . . . If you would please take a moment to complete the card on the cover and send it in, we can begin to send you a magazine with a real cover and can spend more time focusing on finding articles that give you immediate assistance in these trying times . . .

In any event, do keep your chin up and keep your eyes on the prize. This might be a slower summer than you?EUR??,,??ve had over the past few years, but you will get through this. Even better . . . This profession will emerge stronger, better organized and ready to grow into the future.

?EUR??,,?(R)God Bless