I strongly support the continued licensure of landscape architects in Virginia. I am a retired landscape architect, licensed in Virginia, and worked in the field of historic preservation. Unlike most landscape architects, I did not design public or private outdoor spaces. But the courses required for my Masters degree and sitting for the licensing exam brought home the high degree of expertise required to protect public health, safety, and welfare in the field of landscape architecture.

Virginia should not leave the public's health, safety, and welfare to chance. Consider the  issues that could result from an untrained individual doing basic landscape design work like grading and drainage, allowing water to damage buildings or create ice sheets on sidewalks in cold weather. Children could be endangered if an unqualified person designs a playground. The public deserves to know that they are safe in parks and plazas designed by licensed landscape architects - that there will be adequate lighting at night; that the design will be accessible; and that trails are safe. Licensure also gives homeowners and project managers an ability to ensure any landscape architect they hire meets state standards.

Please ensure that untrained and/or unqualified individuals do not engage in the work of landscape architecture. They could adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare. Virginia deserves better!

Nancy J. Brown, FASLA