Dear Fellow Landscape Architecture Professionals,
As we transition from winter to spring, there is much to report!
Scholarships & Awards
Congratulations to our student scholarship winners: Tiara Rachman (UMD), Maliyah Hatchell (UMD), Parth Patel (MSU), and Isabel Cedeno Rodriguez (UMD)—the first recipient of the Mahan Rykiel Diversity in Landscape Architecture Scholarship! We are proud to support these emerging leaders. Thank you to Joe Ignatius and the Scholarship Committee for their dedication to this program.
We received over 30 design award submissions last month and look forward to celebrating the exemplary work of Maryland landscape architects at our Awards Gala in May. A big thank you to the Georgia Chapter for serving as our jury this year.
Great projects don’t happen without great people. Help us celebrate the Emerging and Mid-Career leaders who are making a difference in Maryland and beyond—nominations are open through March 21 on our website!
March Events & Programs
This week marks the start of Job Shadow Week—thank you to all the firms and agencies hosting students and giving them a glimpse into the many forms of professional practice.
We’re also excited to collaborate on upcoming lectures featuring Charles Birnbaum (TCLF) at Morgan State University next Tuesday and Despo Thoma (SCAPE) at MICA’s Brown Center next Thursday. Focusing on cultural landscapes and coastal resiliency, these LACES-approved events are discounted for MDASLA members—register today!
For those interested in waterfront development and coastal resiliency, save the date for our WEDG workshop on March 24, featuring local stakeholders like Maryland DNR and the Baltimore Office of Sustainability.
Advocacy & Legislative Updates
Our Advocacy Committee, alongside strategist Jack Neil, is monitoring key legislation affecting open space funding. The Maryland Department of Legislative Services has recommended transferring all Program Open Space funding to the General Fund, jeopardizing park development statewide. We are drafting a letter to Delegate Ben Barnes and Senator Guy Guzzone opposing this measure—stay tuned for updates.
Advocacy Site Tour
With budget cuts looming and new representatives in the Maryland General Assembly, now is the time to highlight the value of landscape architecture. We are seeking projects for site tours with public officials this summer—community-driven or environmentally focused projects are encouraged. If you have an established project or an upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony, please let us know so we can align it with our advocacy efforts. Please reach out to Vernon Hustead and JoAnn Trach-Tongson with suggestions.
Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events. If you have ideas or want to get involved, please reach out to me anytime.
Sincerely,
Michael Pullano, PLA, ASLA
President, ASLA Maryland
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