California Council of ASLA
The California Council of the American Society of Landscape Architects is an organization comprised of the four California Chapters including the San Diego, Southern California, Sierra, and Northern California Chapters, The purpose of the Council shall be to advance the profession of Landscape Architecture in the State of California as an instrument of services in public welfare and to serve as the coordinating Council in the State for the various Chapters of the American Society of Landscape Architects. For more information about the California Council, click here.
Jon Wreschinsky, CCASLA Delegate
Winter 2013 Newsletter Article
Upcoming 2013 California Legislative Session and the awarding of our ASLA License Advocacy Grant
As the California Legislature prepares for its 2013 session, CCASLA is undertaking a thorough review of issues deemed important to the profession with the intent of developing a strong advocacy position on each. These issues include business tax reform, community planning and urban development funding, CEQA reform, water conservation and storm water management, sustainability issues and the importance of licensing of design professionals.
To assist in this effort, CCASLA will utilize a recently awarded ASLA License Advocacy grant to help fund development of a training program for the State’s ASLA Chapters to educate Landscape Architects regarding how to meet and educate local officials and state Legislators and to build these relationships as an advocacy and educational resource on those issues identified as critical to the profession. A sub-committee of the CCASLA Board has been created to specifically develop and manage this effort. A primary goal of the program will be the development of a new advocacy network focusing on the why continued licensure of the practice of landscape architecture is in the best interest of consumer protection. Educating our elected representatives on the important role landscape architects play in each of the issues listed above will help strengthen our position for professional licensing.
To better serve California’s ASLA members on the state level, CCASLA is also undertaking a thorough review of CCASLA operations focusing specifically on how to better manage its resources. This effort will look specifically at the organization’s annual budget process, dues structure, license defense funding, logistics of managing a state-wide organization and communications. A separate sub-committee has been created to undertake this effort. This work will especially require interaction with the State’s Chapters. As in the past, the primary focus of CCASLA is defense of your license to practice landscape architecture. Increasing threats to licensing requires a closer look at how to fund and manage our response to these threats. Since the best defense is a strong offense, or in this case, a serious advocacy effort, both sub-committees will be working towards similar goals, which is to improve CCASLA’s efficiency and effectiveness.
CCASLA cannot and should not operate without your input. Part of the advocacy grant program will entail holding Chapter meetings to take your input and explain how you can personally become involved in local advocacy efforts. Your participation is vital. Building a program that is focused on those issues that are critical to our professional survival is achievable. It won’t happen however, until we all recognize the importance of our daily efforts in advocating for the profession and building lasting relationships with our elected officials and each other.
For further information, please feel free to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 619-916-6956 or other CCASLA representatives.
Last Updated on Friday, 22 March 2013 11:40