President's Letter: October 2026

Dear Maryland ASLA Members,

As we begin a new chapter year, please join me in congratulating and welcoming our new board officers and committee chairs. Thank you for stepping forward to serve our chapter and support the landscape architecture community. Your ideas, energy, and willingness to lead will help shape a rewarding year for our members and strengthen our profession’s voice throughout Maryland.

I also extend my sincere gratitude to our outgoing board members and committee chairs for their dedication over the past year. Balancing volunteer leadership with professional and personal commitments takes time, care, and persistence. Your efforts have supported our chapter’s programs, connected our members, and built a strong foundation for the year ahead. We deeply appreciate everything you have contributed.

Last month, we participated in the Chapter Presidents Council at the ASLA National Conference, where we continued vital discussions about the future of landscape architecture and the roles that national ASLA and local chapters will play in shaping our organization. These conversations reinforced the importance of listening to our members, strengthening collaboration, and preparing our profession for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

We will continue building on the thoughtful dialogue from Presidents Council at our strategic planning event on October 25, and I invite all of you to join us as we plan for the year ahead. Your perspectives will help us identify priorities, guide our programs, and ensure that our chapter responds to the needs of our members. Whether you are a longtime member or newly involved, your voice matters.

As we enter the third act of ASLA Nationals’ Vision 2030, members have another opportunity to help shape the future of ASLA. We encourage everyone to take a quick moment to complete the Six Words – One Future survey and share your vision for ASLA. The future of landscape architecture will be shaped by choices we make today – but we also are asked to look beyond the next year, the next plan, and even the next generation.

We also have meaningful progress to celebrate at the national level. Over the past year, the ASLA Board of Trustees has worked to add value to your membership and expand access to the profession. The launch of the CLARB Exam Success Grants has established $500,000 in support for those facing economic challenges and barriers to becoming licensed. Members also now have expanded access to free continuing education credits through the member portal at ASLA.org. These resources support professional growth, help reduce barriers to licensure, and strengthen the value of belonging to ASLA.

Our chapter thrives because members generously share their talents and take an active role in its success. I look forward to working alongside our new leadership team, building on the contributions of our outgoing leaders, and hearing your ideas as we chart our course together over the next year.

Thank you for your continued enthusiasm, support, and your commitment to Maryland ASLA.

Michael Humes

President, Maryland Chapter ASLA