ASLA In-District Advocacy Day

This year ASLA In- District Advocacy Day has been scheduled for February 18, 2009!

During In-District Advocacy Day 2009, ASLA members will discuss securing federal funding for the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) and the importance of historic landscapes to our nation. ASLA maintains a HALS website to provide critical information on the program and advocacy efforts for securing its funding.

ASLA is gearing up for the 2009 ASLA In-District Advocacy Day. In-District Advocacy Day was created to help landscape architects establish and build relationships with the members of Congress and staff from their respective districts. By strengthening relationships with Members of the House of Representatives and Senate, landscape architects can better communicate their legislative priorities and realize the passage of legislation that positively impacts the practice of landscape architecture.

In-District Advocacy Day participants will also discuss the importance of good transportation planning and design for all users and including a “Complete Streets” policy in the upcoming reauthorization of the surface transportation bill. The Complete Streets Coalition, which ASLA is an active member, maintains a Web site that includes comprehensive information and tools to learn about and advocate for Complete Streets policies.

ADVOCACY TOOLS

If this is your first time visiting a Congressional office, you have no need to worry. Each Congressional District has one or more offices in the district that are established for the purpose of listening to constituent concerns.

ASLA’s Advocacy Network has a wealth of tools available including tips on visiting your Representative’s office, contact information, guidance on the legislative process and more.

Additionally, ASLA recommends that you review its “Guide To Interacting With Your Legislator” located on the ASLA website for important advocacy tips for landscape architects.

The upcoming 111th Congress will bring many new federal legislators to Congress and many new issues to the forefront of the legislative agenda. It is extremely important that landscape architects reach out to their Members of Congress and Senators to encourage them to support issues that are important to the profession.

Sustainable Sites Initative UPDATE!

The Sustainable Sites Initiative invites public comment on the new report titled Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks Draft 2008, the most comprehensive set of national guidelines yet developed for the sustainable design, construction and maintenance of landscapes. The report is available for download at www.sustainablesites.org, and an online feedback form has been created for users to help improve the guidelines.

These guidelines will enable built landscapes to support natural ecological functions by protecting existing ecosystems and regenerating ecological capacity where it has been lost. The report includes more than 50 prerequisites and credit options that cover everything from initial site selection to construction and maintenance. The report represents thousands of hours with input from 37 technical advisors in hydrology, vegetation, soils, materials and human health and well being. These credits were tailored to apply to any landscape, with our without buildings.

For information, contact info@sustainablesites.org