Trustee Report

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Welcome to the first installment of the Trustee Report for my tenure. Thank you, Dana, for the wonderful introduction. Dana will continue to stay involved on the national level so do feel free to take up her initiation to discuss issues! I am excited to be serving you as your Trustee for the next few years and honored to be following the likes of Dana Worthington, Jeff Caster and many others who have served the Florida Chapter. This monthly reporting is now a tradition with the Florida Trustee. As I understand it, this report is about 'ASLA Membership’, telling you just a few notes from our national organization over the last month. If you ever have a question about anything in my reports or would like to share your opinions with me regarding these issues, please contact me at Trustee@FLASLA.org

Governance and Administration
The annual installation of officers was held on November 18, the final day of the 2013 meeting. Newly installed officers are: President Mark A. Focht, FASLA; President-Elect K. Richard "Dick" Zweifel, FASLA (who is also the outgoing Education VP); (Florida’s very own) Education VP Kay Williams, FASLA; Government Affairs VP Thomas R. Doolittle, ASLA; and Communications VP Pamela J. Linn, ASLA. Officers continuing their service are: Membership VP Shawn T. Kelly, FASLA; Finance VP David L. Lycke, FASLA; and Professional Practice VP Annette P. Wilkus, FASLA, and Immediate Past President Thomas R. Tavella, FASLA.

The Board of Trustees, among other things, approved the new mission and vision statements;

Mission statement:

Landscape architects lead the stewardship, planning, and design of our built and natural environments.

The Society’s mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship.

ASLA vision statement:

Leading the design and stewardship of land and communities.

The Council of Fellows inducted 33 new members at an investiture ceremony during the conference in Boston. Florida is honored to have Chris Flagg as our newest elected Fellow.

There were four Honorary ASLA Members bestowed at the conference, one of which was one of our own, Senator Bill Nelson. A big thanks goes out to Dana Worthington for her work in making this possible.

Government Affairs
ASLA is inviting landscape architecture firms to submit their qualifications to serve as lead consultant for the green street demonstration project surrounding ASLA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown neighborhood. The deadline is Jan. 15, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. EST. The project involves the design and installation of an interconnected series of vegetated systems and proven technologies to manage stormwater runoff and beautify the public right-of-way. ASLA intends this project to be a world-class model and education tool for developers, designers, city officials, and the public. For more information, and to submit your firm’s qualifications click here.

Earlier this month, Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD) and Senator Tom Udall (NM) re-introduced the  Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Act (H.R. 3449, S.1677), which would help local communities utilize green infrastructure projects to address stormwater management and other water issues. During the annual meeting general session, EVP Somerville announced ASLA’s efforts in having the bill introduced and urged members to visit the ASLA Commons to send a message to their legislator about the bill. Environment and Energy News featured a story on the bill’s introduction and cited ASLA as a supporter of the measure.

Emily O'Mahoney, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP BD&C
Trustee, FLASLA