Trustee's Letter: April 2025

Spring is here and the chapter is busy on many fronts. I am so proud of the work that all the board members and the committees are doing this year. The Advocacy Committee has been monitoring numerous bills to promote our profession and protect us from the Sales Tax Bill (which may have added sales tax to landscape architecture services). The Student Outreach Committee has been very successful with Job Shadow, Week the Portfolio Review and the new student Mentorship initiative.  We have also been blessed with several great speakers this winter including a presentation on Cultural Systems by Charles Birnbaum and Designing Coastal Futures by Despo Thoma.  

ASLA National has a few things I wanted to share. ASLA has shared their strategy for addressing the actions of the new administration that affect our members and profession. There have been many twists and turns over the last few months, but the organization continues to stay focused on our core values. Their work and focus will continue as it has, led by our Vision 2030 goals and put into action via our strategic plans. Some of the priority topics include Climate, Funding & Taxes, Design, Freedom, Diversity and Business (tariffs).  

ADVOCACY TOUR SITES 

The Advocacy Committee is identifying Maryland members’ medium to large scale sites that showcase the work of landscape architecture. We are working towards developing site visits where we could celebrate the importance of our work, and invite stakeholder groups and legislators in an effort to expand the reach of our profession to these important partners. If you have a site in mind that you think would be worthwhile, please contact me at Husteadla@gmail.com.  

Hope to see you soon at an upcoming event! 

Vernon Hustead, ASLA 

Trustee, MD CHAPTER ASLA