Our Beliefs & Our Actions

ASLA remains steadfast in our mission to advocate for landscape architects, advance climate resilience, and champion equitable, community-driven design. These principles are the foundation of our work, as outlined in Vision 2030, and they will continue to guide us.

As evolving federal policy changes affect our profession, we are taking deliberate, strategic action to protect our members’ interests and uphold our core values.

Our approach is not to react impulsively, but to lead with intention, ensuring that ASLA’s efforts are effective, disciplined, and aligned with our long-term goals.

This page tracks our latest actions and provides guidance on how members can stay informed and engaged.

Priority Areas

We are focusing on critical issues where we can have the greatest impact. We expect these priority areas to evolve and change over time. Currently, we are focusing on:

• Protecting Funding
• Supporting Public Practitioners
• Defending Design Freedom
• Reaffirming Climate Action
• Championing Diversity & Representation For All
• Strengthening Businesses

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ASLA 2022 Professional General Design Honor Award. Riverfront Spokane, Spokane, Wyoming. Berger Partnership

Protecting Federal Funding

We believe that investing in parks, flood protection, and resilient streets means investing in health, safety, and community well-being. Landscape architects have the solutions, now we need continued policies and funding to make them happen.

Many landscape architecture projects rely on federal funding. While parts of the freeze on federal financial assistance was rescinded, the earlier executive order, Unleashing American Energy contained directives to immediately pause disbursement of some funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Many disbursements remain paused, in effect.

As many of our members have accessed funding from these programs, we will make it a priority to provide regular updates about the latest information as it becomes available.

Our Actions

• We published Managing the Federal Funding Freeze – Next Steps for Landscape Architects (Members Only)
• We urged lawmakers to get funding flowing again, read the letter to Congress
• We reported on the U.S. Department of Transportation realigning funding policies.

ASLA 2021 Professional General Design Honor Award. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. HDLA

Supporting Public Practitioners

We believe landscape architects in public service are stewards of the land and champions of the common good, applying the clarity of design and the wisdom of systems thinking each day to shape places that serve, heal, and inspire us all.

In these challenging times, we understand the profound impact that federal workforce reductions can have on our members.

Our Actions

• We created a resource page for workers affected by federal workforce reductions.

ASLA 2016 Professional General Design Honor Award. Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park by Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl

Defending Design Freedom

We believe design should never be restricted, it must reflect the culture, needs, and identity of the people it serves. Landscape architects don’t impose solutions, they co-create them with communities.

On Jan. 20, an executive order, Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture, called for a federal review and oversight process on the design of federal buildings and sites.

ASLA is committed to advocating for the leadership of landscape architects and to ensure that design professionals retain the freedom to shape our public spaces.

Our Actions

• We oppose limits on federal project design, read the letter sent to the Administrator of the General Services Administration.
• We support the Democracy in Design Act.

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. Houston, Texas. Design Workshop and Reed Hilderbrand

Reaffirming Climate Action

We believe climate action is needed now. Rising temperatures, worsening floods, and extreme weather are not future threats, they are happening.

Our Actions

• Helping communities achieve their climate and biodiversity goals
• Member of the America Is All In Coalition
• Named a new Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan Task Force to scale up solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises.

Championing Diversity & Representation For All

We believe great landscapes reflect the people who use them, respect the history of a place, and serve all communities. That only happens when all voices are part of the design process. Landscape architects understand that including diverse perspectives isn't just a principle—it’s essential for better outcomes.

On Jan. 20, a series of executive orders were issued targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the public and private sectors. These include Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing and Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government.

As a profession and as an organization, we strive to be representative, reflective, and respectful of the communities we serve.

Our Actions

• We support underrepresented people in their pursuit of landscape architecture licensure through the Licensure Advancement Program.
• We foster the ability for all voices, people, and perspectives within our profession, membership, staff, and leadership. Explore related programs and resources on our Diversity landing page.
• We provide professional development webinars to equip landscape architects with the knowledge and tools to create more inclusive, community-centered designs.

Strengthening Business

We believe landscape architecture and all its benefits thrive when policies support business development, fair competition, and professional recognition.

Both legislative and executive leadership have signaled the intention to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which contains certain tax provisions that impact landscape architects and ASLA. Similarly, evolving tariffs with Canada, Mexico, China, and the rest of the world could significantly impact the cost of landscape architecture projects, from parks and streetscapes to large-scale urban developments.

These challenges emphasize the need for licensed landscape architects who already possess the knowledge, expertise, and mindset to advance rigorous standards for public safety, environmental stewardship, and sustainable design. These professionals are prepared to address complex design challenges, regulatory requirements, and the evolving needs of communities.

ASLA is committed to advancing policies that support the financial health and professional stability of landscape architects. From tax policy to trade regulations and licensure protections, we are working to ensure that business conditions allow the profession to thrive.

Our Actions

• We are tracking and evaluating tax policies that directly affect landscape architects, including business deductions, credits, and corporate tax structures.
• We reported on how tariffs are affecting landscape architecture manufacturers.
• We belong to the Community Impact Coalition, a group of non-profit organizations advocating for shared tax priorities.
• We published a series of resources explaining how every $1 invested in nature-based adaptation for climate change results in $4 of benefits.
• We defend licensure nationwide, monitoring and responding to actions that threaten landscape architecture licensure.
• We partner with the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL). Read their report, Boards That Work.
• We amplify the value of nature-based solutions. Read an example written by Torey Carter-Conneen for Fast Company.

Stay Informed & Get Involved

Actions You Can Take

• Join your local chapter’s advocacy efforts: Find your chapter
• Join the conversation: Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
• Tell us your thoughts: [email protected]

Together, we will continue to lead with clarity, purpose, and action.