- Apr 6, 2020

ASLA National Creates COVID-19 Resources for Professionals

ASLA’s first and foremost obligation is to protect the health and safety of our employees, our members, and the partners and colleagues with whom we work and interact. Given growing concerns about the effect of the COVID-19 on daily life, we are implementing a series of actions that reflect an ironclad commitment to that principle. This includes:

canceling all in-person meetings at the Center for Landscape Architecture and substituting virtual meetings whenever possible
suspending public tours of our Green Roof and access to our climate crisis exhibition
implementing a liberal telecommuting policy for staff impacted by state and local COVID-19 responses
suspending all staff and leadership business travel

Be assured that ASLA has procedures in place to ensure that during this difficult time we are able to continue the same high level of support for our members and partners. Our members should expect no interruption in our services or a reduction in access to programs and staff.

To all of our members, their friends, families, and colleagues, and all those in our community, we extend our fervent hope that all remain healthy and safe during this challenging time. General Guidance

The following resources may be useful to help you remain informed:

Prevention and Treatment – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Daily Situation Reports – World Health Organization (WHO)
How Coronavirus Spreads – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Business Resources

We have many resources to help landscape architecture firms and businesses. For general information, please see our ASLA Business Toolkit.

Information on adapting to a remote working environment:

Out of Office: Tools, Team, and Togetherness for WFH - Three practitioners join in conversation to share their experiences with remote/mobile issues like workflows, teaming, and communication. Recorded March 31.
- Download slides (PDF)
- Summary of resources and tools (PDF)

Remote Work 101 - tools, resources, and tips to maintain productivity when working remotely - The Field
The Offices: Everything Changes - Landscape Architecture Magazine
Free Software and Tools to Support Working Remotely - Architect Magazine
How to Create an Effective Teleworking Program - SHRM
Landscape Architecture Practice in a Time of Physical Distancing - Landscape Architecture Foundation webinar

The federal government is offering relief to businesses and firms affected by the pandemic.

See if you qualify for a disaster relief loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
See how recently-passed emergency stimulus bills (the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act) affect you and your business.

For LegaLine legal information services, visit their website through the AIA Trust. ASLA members may access practice coach services by following the instructions to subscribe exactly as if they were AIA members.

Find out whether your business is considered an "essential industry."

Definitions vary by jurisdiction - there is no federal definition of what industries are or are not "essential." Furthermore, not all state orders have limited work to “essential” businesses. Though some counties and municipalities have limited movement while their states have not.
ASLA recommends you refer to your state and local orders for appropriate guidance. Information on state and local orders can be found in the Federal, State, and Local Resources section below.
Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce
Designations of Essential Businesses by State - National Governors Association

Professional Development and Licensure Resources

ASLA Online Learning: As a LA CES education provider, ASLA provides a number of ways to earn professional development hours (PDH) online.

All upcoming live webinars in the month of April are FREE for ASLA members
200+ recorded presentations are available 24/7
Read a peer-reviewed technical paper

The Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System: Landscape architects and other design professionals can access information on continuing education courses from more than 250 approved providers with the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System™ (LA CES™).

Check the “Search for Distance Education courses only” box under For Professionals: Find a Course for webinars and other online offerings you can do from home.
Sign up to receive email alerts about new courses.

L.A.R.E. Administration Announcement - CLARB

Resources for Educators and Students

Information and updates for landscape architecture academic programs transitioning to online courses.

LAAB Landscape Architecture Online Education - Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) webinar
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) - online design education resources available
Information for Accrediting Agencies Regarding Temporary Flexibilities Provided to Coronavirus Impacted Institutions or Accrediting Agencies (U.S. Department of Education (USDE) Office of Postsecondary Education)
Teaching and Learning Online, By Force - Landscape Architecture Magazine
Access free issues of Landscape Architecture Magazine on JSTOR dating back to the early 1900's.

ASLA has a collection of virtual education tools parents with children at home.

Tools for Teachers toolkit - contains a collection of digital activity books, learning plans, and virtual assets for teachers and students working virtually.
The Roof is Growing comprehensive virtual education plan for middle and high school students.

Here are technology tools and special offers for educators and students to help you stay connected:

Cloud communications – RingCentral Office, which includes call-management, videoconferencing and other tools, is now free for K-12 schools, healthcare providers and nonprofits.
Design and marketing – Adobe is giving free Creative Cloud access to students and teachers until May 2020.
Organization and database – Free two-year subscription to Airtable for all students with a .edu email.
Teacher planning tool – IBM is offering several free educational resources, including its Teacher Advisor with Watson, a curated planning tool and a database of K-8 math lessons.
Video messaging – Loom Pro is now free for students and teachers at K-12 schools, universities, and other educational institutions with no time limit.

Community Tools

Stay connected and engaged with your professional network through ASLA social media (links below), the ASLA Member Directory, and the ASLA Professional Practice Network member rosters. Also, check that your member profile is up-to-date so you can offer help in return:

Log into your asla.org account.
Confirm that your personal and professional information under the About Me tab is up-to-date.
Then click “Find a Member” under “Join” in the top navigation bar or “PPN Member Directory” for the Professional Practice Network member lists and begin your search!

ASLA Professional Practice Networks (PPNs) social media:

ASLA’s chapters also maintain their own social media accounts—follow your chapter for local news and updates.

And stay in touch with National ASLA on social media: