During their fall meeting, the ASLA Board of Trustees approved updates to multiple ASLA Public Policies.

The Board approved updates to the policy on Climate Change and Resilience and a brand-new policy on Biodiversity. 

They approved six policies related to licensure: Professional Licensure, Definition of Practice, Qualifications for Licensure, Reciprocity, Enforcement, and Post-Nominal Letters. 

ASLA Public Policies are educational documents that guide Chapter and member messages on issues that affect the practice of landscape architecture.

Chapters and members are encouraged to use these documents to:

• Advocate to policymakers
• Make statements to press and digital media
• Inform allied professions
• Raise awareness among the public about the nature of landscape architecture

ASLA prioritized updating licensure policies because of the current regulatory environment and the recent development of CLARB’s Uniform Licensure Standard for Landscape Architecture.

The approved polices were updated to:

• Simplify and enhance the readability of the “Practice of Landscape Architecture” definition
• Affirm that the post-nominal letters of “PLA” should be used to denote licensure
• Support efficient and streamlined processes for licensure mobility and reciprocity
• And more

The Climate Change and Resilience and Biodiversity policies speak to some of the most significant issues affecting landscape architects and the world today. The climate and biodiversity crises are increasingly interconnected.

These policies outline that the leadership of landscape architects is essential to preserving nature and protecting public health, safety, and welfare.