The Objectives of the Institute are set out in the constitution, they are: " to advance the art of landscape architecture and, the theory and practice of garden landscape and civic design; to promote research and education therein; and to create and maintain a high standard of professional qualification."     SILA represents a professional body of qualified landscape architects with the aim of advancing the art of landscape architecture and civic design in the Singapore environment. It also hopes to promote research and education in landscape architecture as well as to create and maintain a high standard of professional qualification.     SILA presently has a membership of 65. We hope, and are confident that, with increasing awareness of the public to our environment, and the corresponding desire for good, healthy designs of buildings and their associated surroundings, our membership will expand.     Over the past decade, SILA has been represented in various committees formed by the Government to provide its expertise in the field of landscape design. Through participating in meetings and conferences organised by other professionals, SILA members keep themselves abreast of related industries.     There are also informal gatherings amongst SILA members to share professional knowledge on the latest trends in landscape architecture, in the belief that it is through collective knowledge and collaboration that the entire field of landscape architecture in Singapore progresses.     SILA has also through circulation of its in-house journal, Landscape East, increased the overall awareness of the benefits of the profession, and the role landscape architecture plays in improving the overall living environment for Singaporeans.