Dear Members,

Thank you for the privilege to serve as Trustee of the Southern California Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. In October, I had the honor to represent the chapter on the Board of Trustees at the 2023 Conference on Landscape Architecture in Minneapolis.

Led by the goals established in ASLA’s 2022-2024 Strategic Plan, the Society has accomplished so much over the last few years. The following is a summary of just a few of the numerous accomplishments we plan to build on with support from our membership.

For practicing professionals and academics, ASLA has:

  • Defended Licensure: Monitored state-level legislative challenges and supported licensure defense.
  • Increased National Advocacy: Provided advocacy resources and expert testimony on national legislation affecting our practice.
  • Raised Your International Profile: Representing U.S. landscape architects at the International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress and United Nations Climate Change Conferences – including in early-December 2023 at COP 28 in Dubai.
  • Lead Climate Action: Developed the ASLA Climate Action Plan and the Climate Action Field Guide for practitioners.
  • Worked for Equity: Committed to ASLA’s Racial Equity Plan of Action and tracked progress.
  • Raised Public Awareness: Developed the Frameworks report (with CLARB, CELA, LAF, and LAAB) to help landscape architects describe their practice and scope of work in terms the public can relate to, expanding understanding of the profession. Grown media opportunities for ASLA members and provided media and social media training for chapters.
  • Saved You Money: Obtained discounts on a variety of relevant products and services through our affinity partners.
  • Funded Climate Research: Established national competitive research grants that focus on landscape architecture solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises.
  • Supported Academic Programs: Worked with the ASLA community to defend and maintain academic programs at risk.

For emerging professionals, ASLA has:

  • Addressed calls for climate action and racial equity through ASLA’s Climate Action Plan and Racial Equity Plan.
  • Increased Professional Development: Launched the SKILL | ED Practice Management Institute to boost project and practice management skills.
  • Supported LARE Prep: Improved the LARE-prep resources available to members on our website.
  • Launched Networking: Provided opportunities for connections with senior practitioners through the ASLA Mentorship program.
  • Shared Job Seekers’ Resources: Provided portfolio reviews and access to JobLink, the largest database for landscape architecture employment, for our members.
  • Elevated Your Role: Formed the Associate Advisory Committee to bring the voice of emerging professionals to ASLA leadership.

For students and future landscape architects, ASLA has:

  • Advocated for STEM Designation: Worked to successfully designate landscape architecture a STEM discipline by the federal government, thereby increasing opportunities for education and funding.
  • Supported LABash: Assuring the longest running student-led conference for landscape architecture students has a secure future.
  • Expanded Access to the ASLA Conference: Provided free registration for students to attend the Conference on Landscape Architecture.
  • Grew K-12 Programs:  Dream Big with Design for middle and high school students with events online and at the annual conference.
  • Highlighted Career Discovery:  Added resources, educational tools for K-12 educators on our website.
  • Waived Membership Fees: Provided free student membership for landscape architecture students during the pandemic.
  • Elevated Your Role: Formed the Student Advisory Committee to bring the voice of students to ASLA leadership.

Thank you again for your support and commitment to elevating the profession of Landscape Architecture through your membership in ASLA. I encourage you to continue to participate in the event and programs the Southern California chapter hosts to build our thriving design community.

Sincerely,

Evan Mather, FASLA; Chapter Trustee