The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national professional association currently representing more than 30,000 landscape architects nationwide. Beginning with 11 original members in 1899, ASLA has grown to include more than 13,500 members and 48 chapters, representing all 50 states, the U.S. territories, and 42 countries around the world. ASLA promotes the landscape architecture profession and advances the practice through education, communication and networking.

One of the largest chapters of the ASLA, the NCC boasts a notable list of past members such as Thomas Church, Garrett Eckbo, Harry Whitcomb Shepherd, Douglas Baylis, Theodore Osmundson, and Robert Royston. In 1985, Patrick Miller, then President of the NCC, described the chapter as “a beast which has awakened itself.” During that year alone, the chapter sponsored a state-wide conference, exhibited its Awards Program winners at San Francisco City Hall and local galleries, co-sponsored a multidisciplinary design competition for Oakland’s Latham Square, held public walking tours and programs during Landscape Architecture Week to increase public visibility of the profession, prepared a report on the “South of Market” area of San Francisco for the city planning department, and formed the Redwood Empire section.

The NCC /ASLA is an excellent example of the force of activity produced by the design profession in Northern California.

Sources: http://host.asla.org/chapters/norcal/index.htm http://www.asla.org/nonmembers/publicrelations/factshtpr.htm [letter from Patrick Miller, 1985], American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Papers, (2001-5), Environmental Design Archives, University of California, Berkeley.