Advocacy can be time consuming and sometimes when we’re busy, it’s hard not to just say ‘maybe next time.’ It can also be easy. ASLA has had several important successes in the last year and, in part, this success is due to the organization’s consistent and focused contact with its members through iAdvocate. ASLA makes it easy for members to advocate by having pre-populated and well written messages that will be sent to your legislators on your behalf with a few clicks. The legislation we advocate for is directly related to the profession, national parks or the environment. You can expect an e-mail once a month or so and can sign up at: https://www.asla.org/GovernmentAffairs.aspx
There are also tools where you can track state legislation or look up the contact information for your legislators. This gives us the ability to zoom in on what’s happening in our home State where there are currently seven bills pending that directly affect our profession.
iAdvocate map for tracking state legislation
At the Federal level, ASLA had several important victories in 2018 & 2019 related to advocacy. These include:
The Water Infrastructure Improvement Act
Blocking amendments to the Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Living Shorelines Act
Reviving the National Scenic Byways Programs
Funding for:
The Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery grant program
The Water Conservation Fund
The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
National Park Service
In the ASLA Advocacy 2018 Highlights, ASLA notes that members advocated in record numbers in 2018 and as an organization, we hope to keep members engaged in the future. https://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/CMS/Generic/TEST/2018AdvocacyHighlights_FINAL.pdf
So, wait no longer and join your fellow members in advocating through ASLA in a meaningful but painless way!