Hello there,

My name is Graham H. Smith. I am a Virginia native (Chesapeake), a Virginia Tech alum (BLA 1995), and a Landscape Architect in Virginia (since September 1998). 

Also, I am a small business owner (Site Collaborative - based in Raleigh, NC).  We continually have projects in Virginia, pay corporate taxes every year, and happily maintain our licensure in Virginia each year. Also, I am the proud father of two young daughters.  The design of public and private spaces in a safe, thoughtful, and regulated manner are of the utmost importance to me and my daughters' future.  It is critical that Landscape Architects are licensed, in order to allow the continued safe creation and development of outdoor environments (particularly significant during a time such as we undergoing). 

Think of your child's favorite playground. Think of your favorite trail to hike on.  Think of your favorite campground.  Think of your favorite outdoor dining spot.  All of these were either directly created or collaboratively created by landscape architects.  We create the world in which we live and we do not take that job lightly. 

Therefore, I would like to list several reasons why landscape architects should continue to be licensed in Virginia:

Landscape architects directly impact public health, safety, and welfare. Licensure is the most appropriate form of regulation to ensure that the public is adequately protected.

Licensure of landscape architects ensures that professionals are qualified by a combination of their education, experience, examination, and continuing education.

Licensure of landscape architects ensures that untrained individuals are prevented from engaging in professional practice that substantially (or significantly) impacts public health, safety, and welfare.

Licensed landscape architects fulfill initial educational training, examinations, and continuing education requirements  that prepare landscape architects to protect the public from both physical and monetary harm.

Landscape architects are called upon to solve complex problems and to provide comprehensive services that require highly technical skills, making it difficult for prospective clients to evaluate the competency of individuals. Licensure as a measure of competence can assist consumers in identifying appropriate professionals for design services.

The broad scope of the landscape architectural profession includes site plans, development plans, grading plans, vehicular roadway designs, pedestrian system design, stormwater and erosion control plans, along with the site of buildings and structures, all work that localities and federal agencies require to be sealed by licensed professionals. Consequently our work collaboratively overlaps with other licensed design professionals including architects, engineers, and Class B land surveyors. 

Without licensure, landscape architects would likely be prohibited from leading multi-disciplinary teams. Currently landscape architects serve as the prime consultants on many public land and private land development projects, where we coordinate and administer the services of other design professionals, all with the public's health, safety, and welfare at the forefront.

Without licensure, landscape architects will be unfairly disadvantaged in the marketplace as federal, state, and local government entities require design services to be completed by licensed professionals.

Virginia landscape architects would be excluded from working directly for federal, state, and local government entities that require licensed professionals.

Licensure of landscape architects is necessary to keep the profession on equal footing with its related licensed design professions..  This equality enables landscape architects to lead projects, form business partnerships, and serve as principals in multi-discipline firms.

Licensure for one profession, and certification, registration, or no regulation for the other profession can lead to confusion in the marketplace and may be perceived by the consumer as an endorsement of the skill and competence of one profession over the other.  When all design professionals are licensed, collaboration exists and it allows for a competitive and free marketplace in which the consumer wins. 

I truly hope that you see the value of our profession and that you have a deeper understanding of the work that

Thanks very much for your time and attention to these matters,

Graham H. Smith

President + Landscape Architect

Site Collaborative

919.805.3586