BSLA Fieldbook BSLA 2015 Spring Fieldbook

of natural systems to benefit the environment. Sign me up! Over the course of my 17 years at DEM, I was fortunate to work on some very interesting projects at places like Plymouth Rock, Wachusett Mountain, and Mt. Greylock. A very gratifying part of this work was that it was for “the greater good” —that is, the environment was improved, and the average Joe could appreciate and enjoy it. But this gratification came only in part from design. Underlying it all was the mission, the intent, and the goals. I came to realize that protecting and enhancing important natural resources, and crafting opportunities for people to appreciate the benefits of our natural world were, and continue to be, amongst the most important skills that we as landscape architects offer. I never did get to be the bigtime designer I imagined myself. My work transitioned to project management. At DEM, I was given the responsibility of overseeing larger projects, for which larger scale planning and goal-setting was necessary. I needed to hire architects, engineers, and… landscape architects(!) to flesh out the project vision we developed. Hmmm… project management can be pretty cool after all. Kind of like being an environmental design czar! Well, at least in my mind anyway. Started Out Education Now In 2003 I was fortunate to become Mass Audubon’s Director of Capital Assets & Planning, overseeing major capital improvements at the organization’s statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries. This work involves environmental protection and enhancement over an even broader spectrum, and draws on my project management experience as well as my training as a landscape architect to advance and shape projects to embody our goals. I bring my training and experience to projects that create the greenest facilities we can, reduce our organization’s carbon footprint, and help people appreciate the nature of Massachusetts. I have also continued to be involved in the Walden Pond scene, and have served on the Walden Pond Advisory Board for over fifteen years, helping the state’s Department of Conservation & Recreation make appropriate management and planning decisions pertaining to the state reservation. Like my work at Mass Audubon, I believe that my landscape architecture background has allowed me to bring an important approach and sensibility to projects and places that can enhance people’s experiences and protect our environment at the same time. I think it’s safe to say that now I have a clue. New York City BA, City College of New York; MLA from SUNY/ESF Mass Audubon Society Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook 75

BSLA Fieldbook BSLA 2015 Spring Fieldbook | Page 77