Ecological Landscape Design

Friday, October 21 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Online
Friday, October 28 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Bosarge Family Education Center
Saturday, October 29 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Bosarge Family Education Center

To design landscapes inspired by—and inclusive of—nature, study essential design principles through the lens of natural systems. In this three-day course led by landscape architect Lisa Cowan and landscape designer and horticulturist Irene Barber, students will learn to identify and incorporate the components of ecological landscape design. Online and onsite, examine the systems influencing design decisions, practice environmental site analysis, and design conceptual plot plans for a selected site. Materials needed include pencils, 11×17 or 18x 24 graph and tracing paper, eraser block, straight-edge (engineer’s) ruler, circular template, compass, and drafting adhesive dots.

Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.

Lisa Cowan, PLA, SITES AP is the Principal and Founder of Studioverde, a leading nature-based sustainable design and consulting landscape architecture practice. With qualifications in ecological design, Lisa has successfully led teams on complex projects that resulted in collaborative design solutions that achieved multiple economic, environmental, and social benefits. Lisa’s work portfolio includes designing ecological spaces for the University of Cincinnati, Colby College, the University of Southern Maine, Unity College, and the Margaret Chase-Smith Federal Court Building, in addition to multiple nonprofit groups. She serves on the Executive Committee for the Boston Society of Landscape Architects and is an officer in ASLA’s Sustainable Design Professional Network. Lisa’s firm is nationally recognized for Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) leadership, a land-based certification program that employs a “green” rating system for ecological sensitive design and implementation in built environments.

Irene Brady Barber, horticulturist, landscape designer and Registered Horticultural Therapist, Irene coordinates Coastal Maine Botanical Garden’s Horticultural Therapy Program and Adult Education Program for gardeners and professionals in the landscape industry. After completing degrees in human behavior and then plant and soil sciences, Irene began landscape design professionally in 2007. She joined the Gardens in 2010 and her passion for connecting people to plants is carried out through her work in education, horticultural therapy as well as consulting and designing for clients under her business of Greenscapes Design LLC.