It’s easy to raise awareness of landscape architecture and inspire career discovery with K-12 students because ASLA has many resources available. The newly refreshed YOUR LAND Magazine is one such resource. The magazine is available in digital format to print at home or share online and print versions can be ordered right from ASLA’s website (only cost is shipping). 

Recently I was wrapping up a participatory design session with students in the Bronx who are designing their own playground. In our first session, we talked about what landscape architects do and I told them they would become landscape designers for the duration of our process. During our last session, we reflected on the entire process and students explained what they liked the most about being a designer. I handed out copies of Your Land for everyone to take home - they were thrilled! One student said she was going to show her older sister who loves to design, another said her Dad was an engineer and they couldn’t wait to show him. We also gave students copies of their playground design and 3D renderings to take home and show off! Offering students these take-aways not only inspires them to become future landscape architects but also spreads awareness outside the classroom. Whenever I attend a career day event or participatory design session with students, I bring a stash of leave-behind materials like ASLA’s Activity Books, Your Land, or other extra books, so I am glad that these resources are easily accessible from ASLA. 

Explore ASLA Career Discovery resources.

Please direct requests and questions to Lisa J. Jennings, Senior Manager, Career Discovery and Diversity at ljennings@asla.org.