Leaders Express - February 2026

February 2026

Highlights

Government Affairs – General

Water Infrastructure Advocacy Resource: ASLA encourages members to use the new resource Landscape Architects Design Water Systems to help communicate the value of nature-based solutions, resilient water systems, and the role of landscape architects in designing and implementing these projects. An editable version is available so chapters and members can customize the materials using local project examples. This resource and other advocacy tools are available on the ASLA website (member login required).

State Government Affairs

Florida Deregulation Threat: ASLA and the Florida Chapter are maintaining close oversight of HB 607, a broad deregulation bill that sought to restructure licensing boards and professional requirements. In response, ASLA launched a comprehensive advocacy mobilization—including a robust grassroots campaign and targeted letters from firm principals—to formally express the profession’s opposition. Legislative staff reported that these efforts were highly effective, and while the bill is not expected to advance further this session, ASLA remains vigilant and continues to coordinate with the chapter and its advocacy team.

Illinois Licensure Extension (HB 5428): The reauthorization of the Illinois landscape architecture sunset date is moving forward following the introduction of HB 5428. Currently part of a larger omnibus package sponsored by House Labor & Commerce Chair Marcus Evans, the bill reflects critical feedback previously compiled by the Chapter and the Government Affairs team and ensures continued regulation and protection of the profession in Illinois.

Maryland – Aligning Licensure Terminology: Maryland is proactively updating its regulatory language through HB 485/SB 256 to better reflect the professional identity of the practice. This legislation officially adopts the "Professional Landscape Architect" (PLA) designation in state statute and establishes an emeritus status for retired practitioners, ensuring Maryland’s legal terminology aligns with credentials used nationally.

Montana Regulatory Task Force: ASLA Government Affairs is closely monitoring the newly established Licensing Reform Task Force (EO 1-2026), which is reviewing Montana’s occupational licensing system to recommend reforms. Given that the profession has been targeted by deregulation efforts in Montana in recent years, ASLA is maintaining active oversight and will coordinate with the chapter to respond swiftly to any proposals that threaten licensure or scope of practice.

Virginia Scope of Practice Victory: Following targeted lobbying efforts by the Virginia Chapter, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation agreed to amend HB 1254 to retain "responsible supervision or administration of contracts" within the landscape architecture scope of practice. This amendment prevents a significant narrowing of the profession’s legal authority and aligns with ASLA public policy and the CLARB Model Law.

Federal Government Affairs

Federal Student Loans and Professional Degrees: ASLA endorsed H.R. 6677, the Professional Degree Access Restoration Act, introduced by Representative Ritchie Torres (NY), to restore fair federal loan access for graduate professional degree programs, including landscape architecture. This endorsement comes as the U.S. Department of Education advances a proposed rule under its Reimagining and Improving Student Education initiative that would eliminate the Grad PLUS program and establish new borrowing limits for graduate students. ASLA’s iAdvocate alert for H.R. 6677 is seeing strong engagement, with nearly 1,200 messages sent to Congress in just over one week—one of the best-performing alerts of this Congress.

Support Access to Public Lands: ASLA has endorsed H.R. 6603, the Our Parks Act, introduced by Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY), which would restore fee-free access to national parks and fish and wildlife sites on all federal holidays. The bill responds to Department of the Interior changes that excluded Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the fee-free schedule. ASLA’s iAdvocate campaign for the Our Parks Act is available for members to take action.

Water Resources Legislation: ASLA is working with the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on bill text for the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 that would call for more nature-based solutions in Army Corps of Engineers projects.

EPA Endangerment Finding: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the White House announced on February 12 that the administration intends to reverse the agency’s 2009 Endangerment Finding, which serves as the legal foundation for federal greenhouse-gas regulation under the Clean Air Act. In late 2025, EPA opened a proposed rulemaking process on the Endangerment Finding, and ASLA submitted public comments emphasizing climate resilience, nature-based solutions, and the role of landscape architecture in protecting public health, safety, and welfare.

Working with Stakeholders: Government Affairs continues to engage coalition and allied partners to advance shared priorities related to resilience, water infrastructure, transportation, and community development. Recent engagement included participation in meetings with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Resilience Policy, the Green Infrastructure Stakeholder Working Group, the LWCF Coalition, National Parks 2nd Century Action Coalition, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the U.S. DOT Intergovernmental Affairs Office, Water Protection Network, Transportation For America Federal Strategies Group, and the Percent for Place Coalition.

The ASLA Biodiversity and Climate Action Committee is continuing its popular Biodiversity & Climate Action 101 for Landscape Architects webinar series into 2026. This free series for ASLA members, underwritten by Landscape Forms, explores innovative strategies for decarbonization, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.

Recent Event: Landscape Architecture 2040

On February 18, the committee hosted Landscape Architecture 2040: The New ASLA Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan. This session detailed updated goals for 2026–2030, emphasizing the equal priority of climate and biodiversity crises and the importance of equitable, nature-based solutions.

Upcoming Event: Climate Justice 101

The next webinar, Climate Justice 101, is scheduled for March 11. This session will focus on the critical work of the committee’s Equity Subcommittee, addressing how landscape architects can amplify community power and ensure the equitable distribution of climate investments.

• On February 13, the Professional Practice team presented to the Chapter President’s Council on recent enhancements to the LA CES platform.
• On February 10, the Associate Advisory Committee hosted their first quarterly Emerging Professionals Chapter Chairs town hall. This collaborative event focused on the art of event planning and provided a space to share best practices, troubleshoot common challenges, and gain inspiration for upcoming chapter events.

• The Call for Presentations for the ASLA 2026 Conference on Landscape Architecture closed February 17. The Annual Conference Education Advisory Committee will begin its review of all submissions by February 20, and submitters will be notified by early April.
• The Conference team is developing the registration website for the ASLA 2026 Conference on Landscape Architecture, scheduled for Sept. 16–18 in Los Angeles, with plans to open registration in late April.
• The ASLA national conference team has begun meeting with the Southern California Chapter committee chairs to collaborate on planning for the 2026 conference and to integrate innovative ideas that will ensure a successful and impactful event for all attendees.

Social Media Profile Performance — January 1–31, 2026

Across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

• Total Audience: 301,115
• Impressions: 618,307
• Engagements: 25,468
• Engagement Rate (per Impression): 4.1%
• Post Link Clicks: 16,030

With over 618,000 impressions and a 4.1 percent engagement rate—well above typical nonprofit and professional association benchmarks—social content is resonating strongly. More than 16,000 link clicks demonstrate high audience interest. Overall, January performance reflects effective messaging, relevant content, and a responsive audience, setting a strong foundation for continued growth in 2026.

• The 2026 ASLA Professional Awards registration period ended on February 6. The cycle finished with 469 entries, surpassing past years. Submissions now move to the professional juries to select honor and award of excellence designations.
• The 2026 Call for Honors also ended in early February with nominations in every category and highly competitive submissions in many categories.
• The 2026 ASLA Student Awards entry period is still open. Students have until April 24 to register their projects. This deadline was extended at the request of university professors to better align with the academic year.

LAM Online Traffic — January 14–February 11, 2026*

*Comparison period: November 24–December 22, 2025

Top 3 Posts

1. Space to Sign by Emerson Goo; January 21; 1,544 views
2. Joan Nassauer’s Rooted Research by Timothy A. Schuler; January 14; 1,289 views
3. Here Comes the Sun by Patrick Sisson; February 4; 1,059 views

• Total Views: 25,327 (unchanged from comparison period; down 1.3% vs. this time last year)
• Views of Main LAM Web Page: 5,984 (up 7.3% from comparison period; up 15.8% vs. this time last year)
• Total Active Users: 14,166 (down 8.7% from comparison period; unchanged vs. this time last year)
• Total New Users: 13,696 (down 7.8% from comparison period; unchanged vs. this time last year)
• Returning Users: 1,499 (unchanged from comparison period; down 16.9% vs. this time last year)

The Landscape Report — Email Performance

* Sent via Mailchimp (excludes MPP opens and bot clicks)  |  ** Sent via Higher Logic/Thrive (may include MPP opens and bot clicks)

• On February 5–6, the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) held its Winter Board Meeting in Miami, FL. The board welcomed three new members: Michael Grove, FASLA, PLA (Practitioner); Mary Pat McGuire, ASLA, PLA (CELA Representative); and Lea Ann Macknally, ASLA, PLA (CLARB Representative). The board continued efforts to revise the LAAB Accreditation Standards. Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) Executive Director Zachary Waymer joined to provide an overview of key developments in higher education and accreditation since President Trump took office last year, along with ASPA’s and its members’ responses.
• On January 22, the ASLA Student Advisory Committee hosted a virtual Student Chapter President meeting. The meeting included a LABash 101 session, hosted by students from The Ohio State University, where LABash 2026 will be held March 11–13, 2026. Student leaders from landscape architecture programs across the country connected to share upcoming activities as they kick off spring 2026.

• Later this month, President Bradley McCauley, FASLA, Past President Kona Gray, FASLA, and President-Elect Gretchen Wilson, ASLA, will be participating virtually in the Maryland ASLA annual conference.
• President McCauley delivered a keynote at Scale, the New Jersey ASLA annual conference in Atlantic City, February 1–3.
• CEO Torey Carter-Conneen, Hon. ASLA, was the keynote speaker at the Arizona ASLA conference recently. In addition to his speaker role, Torey met with Arizona ASLA members, students, and other professionals, and visited projects by landscape architects.

• March 11: Climate Justice 101 webinar
• March 11–13: LABash 2026, The Ohio State University
• April 24: ASLA 2026 Student Awards entry deadline
• Sept. 16–18: ASLA 2026 Conference on Landscape Architecture, Los Angeles