Trustee's Letter: July 2025

There are several exciting things of interest to our members this spring & summer.

National ASLA held their annual mid-year meeting for the Board of Trustees on May 1-2.

The Trustees heard from both President-Elect candidates Gretchen Wilson and Jennifer Nitzky, and we had the opportunity to ask questions about their vision for the Society. The election results will be announced soon. The Trustees also reviewed and selected nominations for ASLA Honors and Medals award recipients, which were just announced in this week's LAND newsletter. ASLA’s Annual 2024 Report was released documenting accomplishments in 2024 and future initiatives for the organization. It’s worth reviewing and can be found on the ASLA website.

The Advocacy Committee had a busy legislative session and was successful in supporting efforts to eliminate the proposed sales tax for business which would affect Landscape Architecture services. The committee is planning an advocacy site tour on September 24 highlighting projects at Rash Field and National Aquarium Harbor Wetlands. Local legislators and affiliated organizations will speak at each site. The Bylaws Committee will wrap up their update of our chapter bylaws and share their recommendations with the Executive Committee and membership later this summer. The chapter has revised the Public Practice Representative position, which provides a unique opportunity for landscape architects in public agencies and nonprofits to participate at the chapter level and lend their expertise to chapter efforts. Please consider taking advantage of this opportunity.

Earlier this month, the Maryland Chapter was part of the Northeast Region National Disaster Forum. Jim Cooper from Biohabitats shared his experience with work in this area--we are grateful for his participation in this important seminar.

Vernon Hustead, ASLA

Trustee, MD CHAPTER ASLA