What is a landscape architect?

Every once in a while, I think it's a good idea to pause and reflect on what our profession really means. I know, this is the subject of endless conversations within the discipline, but I keep hoping that those who DON'T know what a Landscape Architect is will stumble on this site and learn a bit more about us. The ASLA, our professional organization here in the states, defines as follows:

http://www.asla.org/nonmembers/publicrelations/factshtpr.htm

WHAT IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE?
Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. Types of projects include: residential; parks and recreation; monuments; urban design; streetscapes and public spaces; transportation corridors and facilities; gardens and arboreta; security design; hospitality and resorts; institutional; academic campuses; therapeutic gardens; historic preservation and restoration; reclamation; conservation; corporate and commercial; landscape art and earth sculpture; interior landscapes; and more. Landscape architects have advanced education and professional training and are licensed in 49 states.

Landscape Architects suffer from a collective shoulder chip with regard to this topic. If you ask someone on the street to name a famous architect, you will get at least some educated responses. But very few passersby will be able to name a Landscape Architect. Why? Well, for one thing, ours is a more recent profession, at least formally labeled. Also, as we were discussing in one of my classes the other night, we create spaces, architects create objects. It is much easier to move through a space and enjoy it without acknowledging it. An object is much easier to identify and remember comprehensively. The fact is, there are very few public spaces in this country that have not been designed, planned and envisioned at least partly, if not completely, by landscape architects.  Next time you drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and admire the scenic views, next time you visit Yellowstone or a city park or a corporate campus, or your local University, look at the spaces...not just the landscaping and the plants but the vistas, the walking paths, the outdoor seating areas, the water features, the way that distant mountain view is framed by those trees...all of these things were likely manifested by one of us.  Think of Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, or Central Park, or the Emerald Necklace in Boston.  

I wish there were an easy way to spread the word about landscape architecture.  As one of my professors once commented, what this profession needs is a movie about landscape architecture with Brad Pitt playing the leading role. I would like to recommend "The Devil in the White City", because everyone loves movies about serial killers. It would be a box office smash.