About

Ethics

Code of Professional Ethics

The profession of landscape architecture, so named in 1867, was built on the foundation of several principles—dedication to the public health, safety, and welfare and recognition and protection of the land and its resources. These principles form the foundation of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Code of Professional Ethics (the Code) as well. The Code applies to the professional activities of all ASLA professional members, i.e., Full Members, Associate Members, and International Members (hereinafter, referred, referred to simply as Members), and contains important principles relating to the duties of Members to clients, employers, and employees and to other Members of the Society.

Code of Environmental Ethics

Members of the American Society of Landscape Architects should make every effort within our sphere of influence to enhance, respect, and restore the life-sustaining integrity of the landscape for all living things. Members should work with clients, review and approval agencies, and local, regional, national, and global governing authorities to educate about, encourage, and seek approval of environmentally positive, financially sound, and sustainable solutions to land-use, development, and management opportunities.

The following tenets are the basis of the ASLA Code of Environmental Ethics:

• The health and well-being of biological systems and their integrity are essential to sustain human well-being.
• Future generations have a right to the same environmental assets and ecological aesthetics.
• Long-term economic survival has a dependence upon the natural environment.
• Environmental stewardship is essential to maintain a healthy environment and a quality of life for the earth.