Washington, D.C., January 2, 2013—The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) commends the government’s hard work in averting the fiscal cliff. Our elected officials have taken an important first step toward supporting our nation’s economic recovery.

The continuation of some current fiscal policies means that confidence will continue to build for landscape architecture firms, 98 percent of which are small businesses. ASLA’s third-quarter 2012 Business Quarterly survey results indicated an improving employment picture going into the fourth quarter. Employment data in Q3 showed progress over previous quarters and years. The stop-gap measures put into place by the government, including keeping tax breaks in place for small businesses, will spur new hires in the landscape architecture profession and enable firms to grow.

“This fiscal compromise is crucial for the well-being of landscape architecture firms. We will continue to advocate on behalf of the profession, and help our nation’s legislators understand the benefits of investing in infrastructure and sustainable design,” said Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA.

For more information on ASLA’s economic recovery priorities: www.asla.org/advocacy

About the American Society of Landscape Architects

Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing some 16,000 members in 49 professional chapters and 76 student chapters. The Society's mission is to lead, to educate, and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments. Members of the Society use the “ASLA” suffix after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession.