MDASLA Strengthens Commitment to Public Sector Professionals with Revised Public Practice Representative Role
- Maryland ASLA
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Baltimore, Maryland – May 20, 2025
The Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (MDASLA) is proud to announce the revised scope and responsibilities of the Public Practice Representative position—part of the Chapter’s ongoing commitment to elevate and engage professionals working in the public and not-for-profit sectors.
The Public Practice Representative serves as a key liaison between the Chapter and landscape architectural professionals serving in public agencies and mission-driven organizations. The revised position is designed to more meaningfully support and amplify the voice of public practice professionals in Maryland.
“The work of public sector landscape architecture professionals has never been more vital,” said Michael Pullano, President of the Maryland ASLA Chapter. “This updated role reflects our Chapter’s values of inclusivity, advocacy, and visibility across all sectors of our profession.”
Updated Responsibilities Include:
Attending Executive Committee meetings and contributing to Chapter leadership.
Organizing at least one annual event that centers on the needs and interests of public sector professionals.
Creating or contributing content—such as articles, case studies, or newsletter updates—to highlight the impact of public practice.
Supporting Chapter communications and outreach specifically aimed at engaging public sector members.
New Eligibility Requirements
To enhance accessibility and encourage broader participation, candidates are no longer required to be licensed landscape architects or current ASLA members at the time of nomination. Instead, eligible individuals must be practicing landscape architectural professionals working in a public or not-for-profit capacity. To further support participation, the Chapter will reimburse the selected representative’s ASLA national and chapter membership dues, thereby removing a potential financial barrier to service.
Now Accepting Nominations
MDASLA is currently seeking nominations for this position. Members are encouraged to recommend colleagues or self-nominate. Candidates must be practicing landscape architectural professionals working in public or not-for-profit capacities. The position will remain open until filled. The revised ByLaw language regarding the position can be found below.
To nominate someone or learn more about the role, visit https://www.marylandasla.org/join.
Official Bylaw Language (Revised 2025)
827. The purpose of the public practice position is to strengthen the relationship between the Chapter and landscape architectural professionals working in the public/not-for-profit sector. The public practice representative shall:
a) attend a minimum of six meetings of the Executive Committee;
b) assist with Chapter communications that will primarily target public practice landscape architectural professionals;
c) assist with planning and executing one annual event (minimum) focused on needs and interests for public sector landscape architectural professionals; and
d) perform such other duties as are customary for this position or as may be assigned or delegated by the president.
828. The public practice representative position shall be a landscape architectural professional working within the capacity of a public/not-for-profit enterprise and shall serve for a term of one (1) year. The Executive Committee may choose to extend this position for one (1) additional term each year.
829. The Executive Committee shall solicit recommendations for potential candidates from chapter members and chapter communications recipients at the time elections occur. The Executive Committee shall review this list of candidates and appoint one (1) candidate for this position. The Maryland Chapter will reimburse the ASLA membership dues, which include national and chapter dues, of the representative(s) for that year. The position shall remain open until filled.