Take Your Seat at the Table: Apply for ASLA’s Civic Appointments Track

A no-cost, six-session virtual series preparing you for appointed roles on public boards and commissions. Apply by Oct. 23.
October 12, 2026 / By Lydia Thompson, Assoc. ASLA
Advocacy Community Engagement

ASLA 2026 Conference on Landscape Architecture Civic Engagement Session

Nobile/Morris Photography

Landscape architects shape the parks, streets, waterfronts, and public spaces where communities live their lives. Yet many of the decisions that guide those places are made by public boards and commissions without a landscape architect at the table. ASLA’s new Civic Engagement Program is designed to change that.

The program offers two separate tracks:

  • Track 1: Civic Appointments Track. A virtual learning series that prepares participants to pursue appointed roles on public boards, commissions, and advisory bodies.
  • Track 2: Running for Elected Office Track. An intensive in-person program for a small cohort seriously exploring a run for elected office, launching in 2027.

Right now, applications are open for Track 1 only. The inaugural Civic Appointments Track is a no-cost series of six virtual sessions that begins Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, and runs through February 2027. Applications are due Friday, Oct. 23.

Who can apply

The Civic Appointments Track is open to practicing landscape architects who are current ASLA members.

No previous government or political experience is required. The program is built for people who care about their communities and want to bring their design expertise to the decisions that shape them.

Program details

The Civic Appointments Track is delivered in partnership with The Campaign Workshop and offered at no cost to selected participants.

6
Live Virtual Sessions
20–40
Participants per Cohort
$0
Cost to Participants

Friday, Oct. 23, 2026
Applications Due

Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026
Session 1

Thursday, Dec. 17, 2026
Session 2

Thursday, Jan. 14, 2027
Session 3

Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027
Session 4

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2027
Session 5

Thursday, Feb. 25, 2027
Session 6

What participants will learn

Participants will learn how to:

  • Identify civic leadership opportunities in their communities
  • Navigate appointment, application, and selection processes
  • Communicate the value of landscape architecture expertise
  • Position themselves for meaningful service on boards, commissions, and other public bodies

How to apply

Apply by Friday, Oct. 23, 2026: Applicants will need a letter of recommendation from their ASLA chapter or their firm, so we encourage you to begin that conversation now.

Apply for the Civic Appointments Track

Learn more on the Civic Engagement Program page. Questions? Contact the Government Affairs team at [email protected].

Coming in 2027: Running for Elected Office Track

The Civic Engagement Program will add a second track in 2027: an intensive in-person program for a small cohort of landscape architects seriously exploring a run for elected office. Applications for that track are not yet open, and more details will be shared in the coming months.

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