Profile: Landscape architects lead the planning, design, and stewardship of healthy, equitable, safe, and resilient environments. Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the professional association for landscape architects in the United States, representing more than 15,000 members. The Society's mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship.

This year, leaders from top architecture and design organizations celebrated women in design at a panel event co-hosted by The American Society of Landscape Architects and The American Institute of Architects. The event was part of a series that explores the imperative of expanding diversity in the architecture profession. The "Women in Design" event acknowledged the contributions and accomplishments of women in the design field.
ASLA received an Art Works Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to open up a new exhibition entitled, "Smart Policies for a Changing Climate. This exhibition showcases 20 diverse case studies that "illustrate the success these recommendations can have in harnessing natural systems, reducing carbon emissions, and improving communities' resilience to climate change." The exhibit, located at ASLA's Center for Landscape Architecture in Washington, D.C., is free and open to the public every weekday (except holidays) through May 1, 2020.

 
22 members were selected as Fellows, the highest honors presented by ASLA. These individuals were acknowledged for their significant contributions to the industry including works, leadership, management, knowledge, and service.

Seven individuals and two firms were recipients of the 2019 Honors. The Honors represent the highest awards ASLA presents each year. Honorary members were also inducted for their contributions to the landscape architecture profession.

In August, ASLA announced it published a Guide to Universal Design. The guide provides a comprehensive view of which communities are underserved by the built environment. It also offers a set of new universal design principles that address the needs of deaf or hard of hearing, blind or low vision, autistic, neurodevelopmentally and/or intellectually disabled, and mobility-disabled adults and children, as well as concerns for older adults.

ASLA's Back to School Toolkit was released in September. The Toolkit helps instructors develop lesson plans, provide some creative and innovative ideas, and give students of all ages the research tools to fully appreciate landscape architecture while having some fun along the way.

Also, in September, ASLA denounced the repeal of the 2015 Waters of the United States or WOTUS rule announced by the Environmental Protection Agency. Earlier this year, the association submitted comments to the EPA opposing a revision to the WOTUS rule.

Continuing in September, ASLA announced it released the 2019 Diversity Summit Report. The report examines issues that African American, Latinx, Native American, and other underrepresented groups face in the landscape architecture profession. The Diversity Summit brings together a group of experienced and emerging landscape architects who identify as African American or Latinx to develop strategies that address diversity issues in the field.

Later in the month, ASLA announced it is fully supporting the goals of the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit that took place in New York City to stop the increase in emissions by 2020 and dramatically reduce emissions to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century. The association is one of 63 cultural institutions that signed the We Are Still In Declaration, committing to the goals outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement and America's contribution to it.

Editor's note: Nancy Somerville is no longer the executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. Somerville had a great working relationship with Landscape Architect and Specifier News. An official source stated that a task force has been put together to find her replacement.

As seen in LASN magazine, December 2019.