INSIDE THE LA STUDIO WITH BIOHABITATSEver wondered what it is like to work in a design studio alongside biologists, hydrologists, and engineers? Or what’s it like when your collaborative solutions not only work, but address the defining environmental challenges of our time?

Today, as we stand at the brink of what many scientists believe to be the sixth great extinction, landscape architects hold more power than ever--not only to foster biodiversity and resilience, but to tell a compelling story of the landscape and our place in it. By embracing scientific principles and allowing them to inform our work, we create robust, dynamic landscapes that go beyond improving quality of life, to actually being alive and adapting to changing conditions. Rather than setting limits, science widens the design lens, providing a uniquely grounded way of thinking about how people interact with the landscape; and creating thriving, resilient, and equitable communities.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN HERE TODAY1) From the loss of biodiversity to the importance of understanding the effects of trophic cascades and the pressures that development puts on what’s left of the world’s wild places, see how landscape architects can play a role in affecting positive environmental change while creating inviting and functional spaces.

2) Learn how ecological whole-systems thinking informs a variety of design projects, from conceptual broad-scale planning to site-specific design-build efforts, opening up a host of opportunities for innovation and inspiration.

3) Explore how the practice of landscape architecture redefines connections and connectivity from the inside out; from client relationships, to consulting partnerships, to research and design collaborations, and to the fundamental link between human beings and the landscape.

4) Discover the unique opportunity that science-based design provides for deeper exploration of landscape resilience in the face of climate change, geopolitical unrest, disaster recovery and planning for truly sustainable places.

WHO AND WHAT IS BIOHABITATS?Biohabitats is a national landscape architecture and ecological design firm: » focusing on conservation planning, ecological restoration, and regenerative design/green infrastructure;

» made up of people who genuinely care about the natural world, and infuse that passion into their work and expertise in: landscape architecture, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, environmental engineering, natural resource management and planning, geographic information systems, soil sciences, and geomorphology;

» organized in 8 bioregional offices including: Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, Hudson River, Great Lakes, Southeast Atlantic, Ohio River, Southern Rocky Mountain, Southwest Basin & Range, and Cascadia;

» helping private and public sector clients implement projects that are scientifically sound, realistic to implement, and cost effective.

The Stables Building 2081 Clipper Park Road

Baltimore, MD 21211410.554.0156

R e s t o r e t h e E a r t h & In s p i r e E c o l og i ca l S t e wa r d s h i p www.biohabitats.com 800.220.0919

c on s e r v a t ion p l a n n i n g + e c o log i c a l r e s to r a t ion + r e g ene r a t i v e de s i g n

KEITH BOWERS, RLA, FASLA, PWS As Biohabitats’ founder and president, Keith has employed principles of applied ecology and land conservation to build a practice focused on regenerative design--a model that respects Earth’s ecological limits, heals damaged ecological processes, integrates green infrastructure, and catalyzes mutually beneficial relationships with the land. Erasing the boundaries between conservation planning, ecological restoration, and sustainable design, Keith leads multidisciplinary teams on projects ranging from site-specific ecosystem restorations to regional planning and the creation of sustainability programs for communities and campuses. Keith serves on the Board of Directors for the Wildlands Network and as Ecological Restoration Theme Lead for the IUCN’s Commission on Ecosystem Management.

JENNIFER DOWDELL, ASLAA landscape ecological designer and planner, Jennifer applies her expertise in landscape ecology, conservation planning, and living infrastructure to sites ranging from urban greenways to state parks and college campuses. From the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, the Chesapeake Bay and the Hudson River, Jennifer’s work merges landscape ecological principles with innovative stormwater and landscape management in site design and master planning. She earned her MLA from University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment. Prior experience in writing and advocacy informs her work facilitating dialogue of the social and ecological narratives that inform our landscapes.

CLAUDIA BROWNEClaudia Browne is an environmental scientist and Biohabitats’ Southern Rocky Mountain Bioregion team leader. She has over 25 years experience in natural resource planning and management, with expertise in water resources management, conservation planning, wetland and riparian assessments and restoration, hydro-geologic investigations, habitat assessments and management, GIS mapping and analysis, environmental site assessments, remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater, and policy analysis and public education related to environmental issues. She is trained in The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Action Planning method and frequently applies these principles to assist clients in prioritizing conservation and restoration strategies.

CHRIS STREB, PEChris is an ecological engineer who enjoys developing radical solutions borrowed from four billion years of evolution to solve the problems of dirty water, spoiled air, and lost biodiversity. A creative leader within Biohabitats, Chris applies sound engineering principles and a passion for the natural world to planning and design projects involving green infrastructure, ecosystem conservation and restoration, whole systems water management, and sustainable technologies. His recent focus on restoring functional habitat along urban waterfronts led to the patenting of a new floating wetland technology for Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

R e s t o r e t h e E a r t h & In s p i r e E c o l og i ca l S t e wa r d s h i p www.biohabitats.com 800.220.0919

c on s e r v a t ion p l a n n i n g + e c o log i c a l r e s to r a t ion + r e g ene r a t i v e de s i g n

Urban waterfront park redevelopment creates habitat and new linkages

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Constructed wetland treats wastewater while creating human-nature connection

Nature guides a university’s stormwater & landscape management master plan

A restored stream manages stormwater while providing habitat and recreation

The Stables Building 2081 Clipper Park Road

Baltimore, MD 21211410.554.0156

DISCUSSION OUTLINE

THE GENESIS OF BIOHABITATS

» Wetlands, water bodies and the loss of species (enforcement of non-tidal wetlands under the Clean Water Act, the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area legislation and the birth of a new discipline and practice - Restoration Ecology and Ecological Restoration) » Integrating science with landscape architecture and planning

DESIGN APPROACH

» Philosophy (science, ecological democracy, interdisciplinary work, communicating a compelling story) » Examining our mission: to restore the earth and inspire ecological stewardship and embolden communities to rediscover a sense of place through preserving indigenous ecosystems, restoring biological diversity, and inspiring ecological stewardship » An innovative place-centered structure, organized by bioregions » Culture (learning organization, cultivating open dialogue with clients and consultants to understand the deeper story of the landscape and ecological foundations for design, biomimicry)

CORE SERVICES

» Ecological Restoration » Conservation Planning » Regenerative Design

CASE STUDIES

» Green Bulkheads - Cleveland, OH » Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens - Washington, DC » Sterling and McMurry Ecological Restoration - Fort Collins, CO » Acacia Reservation - Cleveland, OH » Hanon Crater - Jeju Island, South Korea » Omega Center - Rhinebeck, NY

PLANNING FOR A RESILIENT FUTURE

» We must consider why and how landscape architects will continue to be relevant in the face of increased globalization, and pressures on natural resource availability. » What are some challenges we face? Climate change, trophic cascades, invasive species, wildness vs. novel ecosystems. » Where are the opportunities for innovation? Whole systems/living systems solutions, connectivity, and environmental justice.

c on s e r v a t ion p l a n n i n g + e c o log i c a l r e s to r a t ion + r e g ene r a t i v e de s i g n

R e s t o r e t h e E a r t h & In s p i r e E c o l og i ca l S t e wa r d s h i p www.biohabitats.com 800.220.0919