2023 Class of Fellows, Robert Loftis, New Mexico Chapter
MRWM Landscape Architects, Albuquerque, NM
Over his nineteen-year career in landscape architecture, Robert Loftis has been a tireless advocate for ASLA values and priorities at the local, state, and federal levels. His prolonged commitment to service has left an enduring impact on the communities he works in, on New Mexico's state licensure act, and on ASLA's federal advocacy initiatives. Rob has served five terms on the ASLA Government Affairs Advisory Committee, the two most recent as chair. His experience with multimodal design, especially related to the use of federal transportation funding, allowed him to be an effective voice on the committee and helped to establish ASLA as an authority on infrastructure matters. At the state level, Rob has been the chapter Advocacy Chair for New Mexico since 2012, during which time they were awarded "Chapter Advocacy of the Year" three times. A thoughtful and creative designer, he helped found Albuquerque NeighborWoods program in 2017, as a partnership to implement an ambitious urban tree planting program that prioritizes tree planting in economically disadvantaged areas. Through his leadership and advocacy and in his role as adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico, the state continues to retain professional licensure; local students and emerging professionals are engaged with chapter leaders and professional mentors; and associated professions and elected officials have an elevated awareness and admiration of the landscape architecture profession.
