Trustee Report #20

Summertime and time for the FLASLA Conference, which is just around the corner! Welcome to the 20^th piece of my Trustee report series where I share a few notes and items from our national organization over the last month or so; and, remind people who may have lapsed in their membership to rejoin and that payment options are available. Please feel free to contact me at Trustee@FLASLA.org if you have any questions or concerns about ASLA issues.

I am very interested to know who will be going to ASLA National Meeting in Chicago this year? Did any of our Chapter members have a course accepted? If you are going, all us Floridians will want to welcome our two newest Fellows upon their elevation. Congratulations to Mary Bates and David Draipsa! You make us proud.

Governance and Administration
EVP Nancy Somervillle, Hon. ASLA, was interviewed and filmed July 8th for ASLA’s win as one of the Healthiest Company’s in Washington, D.C., by SmartCEOmagazine. In 2009, Somerville was a finalist for the Eco CEO Award, which recognized environmental excellence in business.

EVP Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, participated in the Clinton Global Initiative meeting in Denver earlier this month. Discussions in the sustainable buildings working group covered issues including green infrastructure, water conservation/efficiency, resilience, building materials and health, community design and health, green schools, and green affordable housing. The Clinton Global Initiative convenes leaders from multiple sectors and industries to address global problems; participants are asked to make a measurable commitment. ASLA’s proposed commitment is a green street education component based on the Chinatown Green Street Demonstration Project.

Resource Development
The Campaign for the ASLA Center for Landscape Architects has raised $816,323, which is roughly 54 percent of the new goal of $1.5 million. In the weeks and months ahead, ASLA will reach out to additional leaders in the field to ask for their support. To see who is supporting, please click here. If you or your firm would like to join the list of donors, please contact Director of Stakeholder Relations and Resource Development Ron Sears.

ASLA Government Affairs
On June 24th, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) unanimously passed the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act, or DRIVE Act. The transportation bill includes an amendment introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and Jeff Merkley (OR) that will bolster the population of native pollinating species with the help of landscape architects. The amendment includes the principles of the Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment Pollinator Protection Act (Highways BEE Act), which had been introduced two weeks ago in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Alcee Hastings (FL) and Jeff Denham (CA).

iAdvocate! Now, it’s your turn. Check out the iAdvocate video to hear firsthand how ASLA’s advocacy efforts are impacting the profession and yielding landscape architecture projects on the ground. Share the video with chapter members, colleagues, and others.

The August Recess is a great time for our Chapter and members to do an in-district meeting or site visit with your federal legislators. ASLA has a Guide to Hosting a Tours With Elected Officials and other Advocacy Tools to help with these types of events. If your chapter needs assistance with planning your in-district advocacy event, please don’t hesitate to contact Government Affairs Manager Mark Cason.