What were you doing before you applied to the Conway School?
I was a photojournalist, documentary filmmaker and community organizer when I applied; before entering Conway I worked as a livestock and vegetable farmer.
What brought you to Conway?
A desire to change the patterns and practices of land use on this planet and to develop the skills and tools to make those changes happen.
How did you first learn about Conway?
At a PDC with Keith Zaltzberg in 2016.
Imagine we just met, and recognized we had common interests. How would you describe Conway to me?
A one-year Master’s program in ecological landscape planning and design that, for many, suffices to change their life and career. For others, the beginning of a new direction.
What advice do you have for someone just starting out in the field?
Do what you love. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Hustle!
What are you doing right now, and what do you love about it?
I am the Principal of Landscape Interactions, an interdisciplinary landscape planning and design firm with a renowned focus on biodiversity and science-based practices. Based in Western Massachusetts and working throughout the Northeast, I founded the company in 2019.
List one or more books that you find influential in the field of ecological design and/or planning.
- Design with Nature, Ian McHarg
- The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States, Chris Helzer
- Histories of Ecological Design: An Unfinished Cyclopedia, Lydia Kallipoliti
- Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse, Dave Goulson
- Bumblebee Economics, Bernd Heinrich
What book changed your life?
Conquest of the Useless: Reflections from the Making of Fitzcarraldo, Werner Herzog
What is your favorite tool? E.g., a type of gardening tool, digital tool, etc.
My measuring wheel
How do you think ecological design and planning can help make positive change?
Ecological design and planning can contribute to positive change by integrating natural systems into built environments, minimizing environmental impacts, promoting biodiversity and enhancing resilience to climate change, ultimately creating more sustainable communities by optimizing resource use, reducing waste and improving quality of life through thoughtful design that works with nature, not against it (Google AI Overview).
Which aspects of your Conway education do you use in your current work? Which aspects do you used to address urgent challenges related to climate change, environmental justice, etc.?
All aspects!
What blogs or podcasts do you recommend? Particular posts or episodes?
I’m more of an audiobook and article person.
What should we have asked you in this form that we haven’t? Is there anything else you would like to share?
Right now we’re working on a project with farmers across the four counties of Western Massachusetts to put into action the goals of the Commonwealth’s Healthy Soils Action Plan by creating a series of scalable, replicable farmscape habitat designs that support at-risk bees, butterflies and moths, elevate SOC (Soil Organic Carbon) levels, and improve soil health simultaneously. We’re also leading an MVP (Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness) Action Plan with the Town of Whately, and are about to begin designing an accessible boardwalk and meadow restoration in Provincetown.