President's Message: June 2025

Dear Fellow Landscape Architecture Professionals,

Happy Pride Month! This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in our nation’s capital, and you are invited to join ASLA at this weekend’s DC WorldPride Parade. You can learn more and join the contingent here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KVJTHWJ

It was such a pleasure to see so many of you at our Awards Gala last month! I truly hope you enjoyed the evening. Please take a moment to share your feedback by filling out this short survey. Once again, congratulations to our award winners, and thank you to our planning committee and all our generous sponsors for making the event possible.

I’d also like to thank everyone who participated in our raffle—I’m pleased to share that we are now more than halfway toward our goal of supporting emerging professionals on their L.A.R.E. and licensure journey. If you’d like to learn more about the LARE Support Fund, we are still accepting donations on our website. 

Our Executive Board recently approved changes to the scope and responsibilities of the Public Practice Representative position—part of our chapter’s ongoing commitment to elevate and engage professionals working in public and non-profit sectors. Eligibility requirements have been broadened to encourage wider participation, and the chapter will reimburse ASLA membership dues for the Public Practice Representative during their term of service. If you work in public practice or know someone who might be a great fit for this role, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Speaking of membership dues—our Executive Committee has voted to adjust our chapter dues, effective with the 2026 membership cycle. We plan to modestly increase dues for Full and Affiliate Members while reducing dues for Associate Members. These changes are designed to ensure continued support for our core programs while making it easier for emerging professionals to join and stay engaged with the chapter. Per our bylaws, members are provided with a 45-day comment period before any dues adjustment is finalized. We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or concerns with our Membership Chair, Patrick Whealton, PLA, ASLA, at communications@marylandasla.org.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to partner with our colleagues at Potomac ASLA for a joint Play Tour on Friday, June 20. Led by Sparks@Play and Landscape Structures, we’ll visit three local play spaces in Prince George’s County and explore current trends in playground design. The tour includes 3 LACES credits, lunch, and refreshments. I hope you’ll join us!

I also encourage you to tune into an upcoming Advocacy Webinar focused on outcomes from this year’s legislative session—also offering 1 LACES credit. 

Finally, we’re currently preparing the ballot for our 2025–2026 Executive Board elections. If you’re interested in getting involved, it’s not too late! We’re still looking for passionate volunteers and leaders to join our committees—please reach out if you’d like to help shape the future of profession here in Maryland.

Wishing you all a joyful and sun-filled June.

Warm regards,

Michael Pullano, PLA, ASLA

President, ASLA Maryland