By Roxanne Blackwell, Caleb Raspler, and Matthew Gallagher
On March 11, the White House released the Budget of the U.S. Government for fiscal year 2025. The proposal includes several increases compared to the fiscal year 2024 budget for climate change, biodiversity, parks, water, and transportation.
While these investments can help advance the goals of landscape architects, ASLA believes there are still more resources needed so landscape architects can continue to shape the built and natural environment of tomorrow.
In advance of this release and following the State of the Union, ASLA sent recommendations to the administration to continue deep investment in nature-based infrastructure solutions as part of its forthcoming budget priorities. ASLA’s recommendations are based on member-reported most accessed federal grant programs, ASLA strategic partnerships, and previously requested federal funding.
Here’s how the President’s budget compared to ASLA’s recommendations:
Climate Change: ASLA recommendations regarding federal climate change initiatives closely aligned with the administration. For example, ASLA suggested $25 billion to address climate impacts affecting communities like floods, wildfires, storms, extreme heat, and drought. The administration proposed a total of $23 billion in 2025 to facilitate climate adaptation and resilience across the federal government that landscape architects can take part in, including the American Climate Corps (ACC) and reducing the embodied carbon of construction materials.
Biodiversity: The President’s budget included funding support for biodiversity initiatives like environmental planning and habitat restoration activities. However, the budget did not include ASLA’s specific request for funding to help state and territorial wildlife agencies implement their Wildlife Action Plans and Tribal National conservation efforts. ASLA will continue to work with Congress to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which would provide much-needed funds for state biodiversity efforts.
Active Transportation: Notably, several of the President’s surface transportation budget requests mirror’s ASLA’s recommendations. The fiscal year 2025 President’s budget recommends more than $78 billion to carry out the Federal Highway Administration’s programs, including for surface transportation, roadway safety, transit formula programs, active transportation, and more. The President recommends $14.7 billion for the Surface Transportation Block Grants (ASLA recommends $14.68) and $75 million for the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (ASLA recommends $75 million).
However, the President recommends $800 million for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants. This falls short of ASLA’s recommended $2 billion. This program invests in infrastructure projects like active transportation, Complete Streets, Transit-Oriented Development, and more.
Water Management and Infrastructure: The President’s budget did not include as much funding for water investments as ASLA requested. ASLA asked for more than $9 billion in funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to enhance critical water infrastructure compared to the President’s $7 billion, and more than $3 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) compared to the President’s $1.24 billion.
National Parks and Public Lands: The President’s budget recommends $3.6 billion for the National Park Service (NPS) compared to ASLA’s suggested $5 billion. The budget includes $125 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program, $11 million to support new sites that preserve the stories of the cultures and history across America, and $11 million to strengthen co-stewardship of Tribal lands.
Equity and Environmental Justice: As ASLA suggested, the President’s 2025 budget prioritized federal investments that address underserved populations through the Justice40 Initiative. Additionally, the budget included funding for STEM education and workforce development programs emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Now that landscape architecture is a STEM discipline, these programs can help advance the profession.
Community Development: ASLA suggested $3.3 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to revitalize American neighborhoods compared to the President’s $2.9 billion. Increased investments in this program are needed for landscape architects to continue to support communities and stimulate economic development.
The President’s fiscal year 2025 budget proposal serves as a blueprint for his vision for the upcoming fiscal year. However, Congress is ultimately responsible for developing and passing a budget and appropriations measures to fund the federal government’s functions and activities.
ASLA will continue its efforts to work with congressional leaders and coalition partners to pass spending measures that favor the work of landscape architects.
Learn more about ASLA’s recommendations
Roxanne Blackwell, Hon. ASLA, is managing director of government affairs at ASLA. Caleb Raspler is manager of federal government affairs at ASLA. Matthew Gallagher is grassroots coordinator at ASLA.