As you read this, the ASLA has just completed its ?EUR??,,????'??by-invitation-only?EUR??,,????'?? 2004 Licensure Summit (June 6-8 in Boston, Mass.). According to Julia Lent, ASLA?EUR??,,????'???s manager of state government affairs, the focus was on lobbying techniques to promote the adoption of practice acts by more states, part of ASLA?EUR??,,????'???s ?EUR??,,????'??50 by 2010,?EUR??,,????'?? indicating the aspiration of practice act licensure enacted in every state and the District of Columbia by 2010.

The ASLA?EUR??,,????'???s targets are Colorado, Vermont, New Hampshire (no licensure), and those states with title acts only (see map). States that have fairly recently made the jump to practice acts are Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon and Texas.

Ms. Lent indicated that new evidence of the impact of public health, safety and welfare and continuing education requirements were on the summit agenda.

Florida County Ordinance Sets Irrigation Restraints

The Volusia County Council has passed an ordinance requiring the need for ?EUR??,,????'??little or no irrigation?EUR??,,????'?? on at least 25 percent of each new landscaped yard, a requirement to limit lawns and the requisite high-volume irrigation needed for turf in Florida?EUR??,,????'???s subtropical climate. Volusia County is in central Florida, and is the first county in the region to adopt such an ordinance, however, similar ordinances already exist in Sarasota and Pasco counties.

Lawn irrigation makes up about a third to two-thirds of home water usage. Approximately 50,000 acres of grass is planted annually in Florida, according to state agriculture officials.

New landscapes can have up to half of their landscape receive high-volume irrigation (about one inch of water per week), or homeowners can have up to 75 percent more grass, provided the rest of the landscape doesn’t have sprinklers.

Lack of Landscape Architecture in Duluth Zoning Codes

Current zoning codes in the city of Duluth, Minn. do not require the engagement of landscape architects. In a city known for attractions like amazing views of Lake Superior and an extensive park system, there is surprisingly little public imperative to enhance the city?EUR??,,????'???s image and livability in public and even some private developments.

According to Luke Sydow, president of SAS + Associates in Duluth, and Duluth Parks Board commissioner, the current zoning code should require the engagement of landscape architects in order to emphasize green spaces, pedestrian access and aesthetics?EUR??,,????'??+all features that show up in the few projects that did involve a landscape architect [Interstate 35 tunnels, and Canal Park].

The design gap left open by failing to involve landscape architects is surfacing just as the city restarts a stalled effort to update its 50-year-old comprehensive land use plan, as well as for one for its parks system.

Zoning codes in Minneapolis, St. Paul and other surrounding suburbs already have landscape architecture requirements built into their zoning codes.

Public Health, Safety, and Welfare

The practice of landscape architecture directly impacts public health, safety, and welfare, and a practice act is the strongest form of regulation to ensure these public protections. A title act will still allow anyone to perform landscape architectural services as long as they do not identify themselves as a landscape architect.

A practice act outlines a core group of services that licensed landscape architects can provide. Defining the practice is extremely useful when working with jurisdictions that require site, grading, storm water, or erosion control plans to be stamped by specific licensed professionals.

Landscape architecture must be regulated such that untrained individuals are prevented from engaging in professional practice. Licensed landscape architects fulfill educational training and examination requirements that prepare professionals to protect the public.