Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects is the national professional association representing landscape architects. Beginning with its 11 original members, ASLA has grown to more than 13,500 members and 48 chapters, representing all 50 states, the U.S. territories, and 42 countries around the world. ASLA promotes the landscape architecture profession and advances the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship.
The majority of ASLA members, nearly 80 percent, work in private practice. More than one-third of ASLA’s members are employed by small landscape architecture firms with fewer than 10 employees. Twenty percent work in larger landscape architecture firms. Thirty percent work in larger mixed-discipline firms, with a concentration on landscape architecture, engineering, architecture, or design/build. Nearly 12 percent of ASLA’s members work in the public sector. Less than five percent of ASLA members are fulltime educators. The remaining members are employed by private developers or work in other specialized fields.

WHAT IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE?

Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. Landscape architectural projects include design of public parks, site planning for commercial and residential properties, land reclamation, urban and community design, and historic preservation. Examples of landscape architecture include Central Park in New York City, TRW’s headquarters outside Cleveland, the “Emerald Necklace” of green spaces and parks in Boston, Sursum Cordan Affordable Housing in Washington, D.C., preservation of Yosemite Park and Niagara Falls, and the landfill reclamation of Fresh Kills in New York. Landscape architects have advanced education, professional training, specialized skills, and are licensed in 47 states.

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ADVOCACY

ASLA seeks to improve public understanding of the profession and to advance the practice of landscape architecture. ASLA’s government affairs department facilitates communication between members and elected officials at the local, state and federal levels and is an active advocate for the profession on issues including licensure, livable communities, transportation enhancements, and small business issues.

INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Key programs and services of the Society include Firm Finder, a resource for locating a local landscape architect, www.asla.org/nonmembers/sewin.cfm; Landscape Architecture magazine; LAND Online, the members’ bi-monthly electronic newsletter, www.asla.org/Members/land/index.cfm; ASLA OnLine, www.asla.org, a comprehensive website serving ASLA members and the public; professional workshops and seminars; accreditation of landscape architecture professional degree programs; liaison with related organizations and professions; the ASLA Annual Meeting and Exposition; the ASLA/Sweets Landscape Architecture Directory; the Professional Practice Library, professional and technical information resources; LATIS, the Landscape Architects Technical Information Series; employment referral; an online directory of landscape architecture firms; the ASLA Professional Awards Program; and a landscape architecture bookstore.