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Landscape Architects

History

In the United States, landscape architecture has been practiced as a profession for more than 150 years. During the early part of the 20th century, landscape architects were employed mainly by the wealthy or by the government on public works projects. In 1918, the practice of dividing large plots of land into individual lots for sale was born. In addition, there was a new public interest in the development of outdoor recreational facilities. These two factors provided many new opportunities for landscape architects.

The most dramatic growth occurred following the environmental movement of the 1960s, when public respect for protection of valuable natural resources reached an all-time high. Landscape architects have played a key role in encouraging the protection of natural resources while providing for the increasing housing and recreation needs of the American public.

In the last 40 years, the development of recreational areas has become more important as has the development of streets, bypasses, and massive highways. Landscape architects are needed in most projects of this nature. They are also increasingly relied on to offer consultation for green landscaping—for example, sustainable garden or green spaces or for restoring once-natural areas to their original state. In short, the skills of landscape architects are needed now more than ever.

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