My name is Carla Ellern and I am a Landscape Architect in Maryland since 1998.

I am deeply concerned about the possibility of landscape architects in neighboring Virginia not having licensure.   It is critical that Landscape Architects are licensed, in order to allow the continued creation of safe outdoor spaces, particularly during this time of Covid when public space is of the utmost importance to all.   If I in Maryland am a licensed landscape architect, but my neighbor in Virginia is not, it will lead to confusion by the public.  Perhaps I will have an advantage, or instead my license may seem less valuable and necessary by the public.

Landscape architects design and implement playgrounds, parks, hiking trails, streetscapes and other outdoor spaces.  Therefore, landscape architects directly impact public health, safety and welfare.  Licensure regulates these public spaces to ensure that people are adequately protected.

Licensure ensures professionals are qualified by monitoring that they have the education, experience, and continued education to continue doing this work.

Licensure of landscape architects ensures that untrained individuals do not engage in a professional practice that could negatively impact public, health, safety and welfare.

Licensure of landscape architects allows prospective clients to evaluate individual's competency in the field and lets them identify appropriate professionals to hire for design services.

The scope of landscape architectural services include site, development and grading plans, vehicular roadway designs, stormwater and erosion control plans and siting of buildings and other structures.  Federal agencies and localities require  the seal of licensed professionals on all the previously mentioned drawings.   Architects, engineers and Class B land surveyors are all licensed professionals who all collaborate and overlap with the work mentioned above.

Licensure allows landscape architects to serve as prime consultants on projects and lead multi-disciplinary teams.   Licensure allows landscape architects to work directly for federal, state and local government entities.  Licensure allows landscape architects to serve as principals in multi-disciplinary firms.

Elimination of the voluntary regulation of landscape architecture in Virginia is bad public policy.  Continued regulation is vital to the practice, profession, industry, consumer and the public's health, safety and welfare.  Please do not eliminate the regulation of this profession.

Thank you,

Carla Ellern