As Congress considers legislation that could eliminate federal funding for active transportation, trails, and community infrastructure, the American Society of Landscape Architects is mobilizing its members to weigh in directly with lawmakers. ASLA's Virtual Advocacy Day is scheduled for July 22, giving landscape architects a free, structured opportunity to meet virtually with congressional offices.

Several federal programs have repeatedly surfaced as top concerns in ASLA's member surveys, among them the Transportation Alternatives program, the Recreational Trails program, Safe Routes to School, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ASLA warned that cutting or sharply reducing these programs would hit the profession hard, and said its government affairs staff are monitoring legislative developments closely to make sure the talking points used during the event stay current through July 22.

 

This is the fifth time the event has been held virtually, and the organization says the change has not weakened its effectiveness, citing research from the Congressional Management Foundation showing that virtual meetings with lawmakers perform just as well as in-person ones while opening the door for more constituents to participate.

Meetings are not assigned at random. Participants will be paired with the legislators who represent their home districts and states. ASLA has also pushed for turnout among members whose senators serve on the Environment and Public Works Committee, a panel with authority over much of the infrastructure policy that touches the profession.

Notably, this year's registration carries no charge. ASLA said a $99 fee had historically been implemented to offset the costs of running the event and maintaining the virtual platform, but member feedback combined with company sponsorships made it possible to drop the cost entirely. The organization said keeping the event accessible felt especially important given how consequential the current policy debates are, and indicated it plans to keep Advocacy Day free going forward by continuing to seek sponsor support.

Each registered participant will meet with two congressional offices through a centralized scheduling platform and will receive toolkits covering priority issues, including talking points and materials to leave with staffers. Two training sessions are built into the day to prepare participants ahead of their meetings. ASLA framed the event as part of a larger argument for the profession's relevance to policy makers right now. Beyond the federal meetings, ASLA said participating gives members skills that carry over into advocacy at the state level, too, which matters as Landscape Architects work to protect their ability to hold a professional license.

For more information visit: https://www.asla.org/awards-events-main-landing/conferences-events/asla-advocacy-day-2026

As seen in LASN magazine, July 2026.