Laura Snider, BLA 2014, was one of 18 students selected across the U.S. who were part of the 180 Landscape Architects participating in the annual ASLA Advocacy Day. Snider along with other Florida Chapter ASLA members went to the offices of Senators Nelson and Rubio. Each advocate also went to their individual congressional members’ offices.
Each year, professional and student members of the ASLA join together in Washington, D.C. to raise awareness for the profession of landscape architecture as well as advocate for current legislations affecting the industry. This year, Snider served as a student advocate and demonstrated the positive effects of landscape architecture through her own academic projects. Snider worked with other members of FLASLA, which included LAE associate professor Kay Williams, allied professionals throughout the state, and another student advocate from Florida International University.
All the advocacy members were given pieces of legislation that are currently being reviewed by the United States Congress. This year focused on transportation issues and how landscape architecture practices can provide beneficial alternatives and solutions to growing economic, social and environmental problems. Advocates met with staff as well as the senators and representatives of their own state and district, thereby making their experiences and issues more meaningful to the causes presented in the legislation. The varied backgrounds of all the advocates gave a sense to the legislators of how broad the landscape architecture profession can span and the benefits that education can bring to proposed policies.
