News

On July 21, 2022, the Biden administration relaunched the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR) to advance the administration’s America the Beautiful Initiative, which seeks to improve opportunities for outdoor recreation and access to nature. ASLA’s Government Affairs team continues to work to secure parks and recreation funding and policies that increase the profession’s opportunities.

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee passed two funding bills relevant to landscape architects – Energy and Water Development as well as Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. These bills will fund projects related to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration.

ASLA expressed its disappointment with the recent Supreme Court ruling, which is a setback in the fight against climate change. However, this ruling also emphasizes the need to work even closer with ASLA partners on Capitol Hill to craft legislation that will adequately grant the EPA the authority to regulate existing and future power plants.

The measure would authorize an estimated $40 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to implement critical infrastructure projects, studies, and policies related to our nation’s waterways. These initiatives would significantly address issues of environmental degradation, climate change, and equity across the country.

This legislation would authorize the National Parks Service to fund and coordinate initiatives designed to identify, research, and preserve African American burial grounds that have been left unmarked, abandoned, or underserved. These activities would create opportunities for landscape architects to advance environmental justice, heritage preservation, and equal access to culturally irreplaceable outdoor spaces.