President's Letter: September 2026

With the Conference on Landscape Architecture in Los Angeles coming up in a couple of weeks, we are approaching the changing of the ASLA year and the transition to the 2026–2027 Maryland ASLA Executive Board, making this my final President’s Message. I want to take this opportunity to thank our Executive Board, our Executive Director Lauren Hill and her incredible team, all of our Committee Chairs and volunteers, our new and returning sponsors, and, importantly, everyone who participated in a Maryland ASLA event or initiative over the past year. Your participation and support are the reason - and the motivation - for everything we do.

As I look back on the past year, I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished:

• Held another successful, sold-out Awards Gala at the William Paca House & Garden in Annapolis and received 40 Professional Award submissions - a modern Chapter record.

• Hosted our first Regional Conference since the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Gathered for our annual Holiday Party at Little Havana to thank our sponsors and congratulate Bob Hruby on his elevation to Fellow.

• Partnered with the Potomac Chapter for a Rivalry Game outing between the Orioles and Nationals at Oriole Park.

• Presented the prestigious Spencer Ellis Award to former U.S. Senator Ben Cardin in recognition of his contributions to environmental preservation and conservation.

• Met with U.S. Senate offices during ASLA Virtual Advocacy Day to encourage support for two key pieces of federal legislation affecting landscape architects.

• Successfully advocated for comprehensive revisions to Maryland’s landscape architecture licensing law, including the creation of Emeritus status; the legislation was adopted by the Maryland General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Wes Moore.

• Successfully nominated our legislative consultant, Jack Neil, for Honorary Membership in ASLA, joining just 271 non-landscape architecture professionals to receive the distinction since ASLA’s founding in 1899.

• Supported successful Council of Fellows nominations for two Maryland Chapter members, Om Khurjekar and Jennifer Dowdell, who will be elevated to Fellow in Los Angeles.

• Fully funded L.A.R.E. exam costs and other licensure-related expenses for an emerging professional through the L.A.R.E. Support Fund.

• Awarded two scholarships and one fellowship on behalf of the Chapter.

• Connected 49 students with 24 landscape architecture firms and agencies through our ever-popular Job Shadow Week.

• Held Executive Board meetings at the University of Maryland, College Park and Morgan State University, continuing to strengthen our connection with Maryland’s landscape architecture programs and the next generation.

• Released EMBARK X, the tenth edition of our annual publication.

• Established the Public Practice Representative position on the Executive Board, giving an important segment of our profession a dedicated voice in Chapter leadership.

• Refreshed our Chapter’s Bylaws.

These events, programs, and initiatives are important individually, but collectively they represent a Chapter that is dynamic, effective, engaged, and committed to advancing our profession wherever the opportunity presents itself - be it in classrooms, boardrooms, or hearing rooms.

It has been a privilege to serve as President of the Maryland Chapter of ASLA. I’m grateful to everyone who devoted time and energy to serving our profession, and for the friendships and experiences that came with it. I know the Chapter will be in excellent hands with President-elect Mick Humes and the 2026–2027 Executive Board, and I look forward to supporting them as Immediate Past President.

In Fellowship and Service,

Patrick Whealton