Community Projects + Programs
AURORA SCHOOLYARD VISIONING
PROJECT
ASV Design Build Project | Aurora, CO | 2022
KEY TOOLS
Photoshop, AutoCAD, Landscaping Tools, & Painting Supplies
ORGANIZATIONS
UCD & Learning Landscapes
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This community-engaged design build project took place at Crawford Elementary, where 95 percent of the students are minorities and 75 percent are refugees. Our team conducted asset mapping, demographic research, and community engagement to co-develop a site plan and detailed design interventions that address spatial issues in the schoolyard. I was the lead designer for the entrance gate and 200’ long asphalt mural, Global River, which celebrates the diverse cultural makeup of the school including Mexican, Nepalese, Islamic, North African, East Asian, and Native American identities. We painted the mural and built other community chosen site features alongside Crawford students and volunteers. These included plantings, a parklet, worm box, and pollinator hotel. Please CLICK HERE to see the site plan, elements of the project that I designed, along with a photo collage from the design build.
BAL PLÅSS DESIGN BUILD PROJECT
PROJECT
Bål Plass Design Build Project | Traena, Norway | 2022
KEY TOOLS
Micron Pens, Upcycled Materials, & Construction Tools
ORGANIZATIONS
University of Washington | Study Abroad
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A nationwide team of landscape architecture students joined LAF Fellow, Professor Winterbottom, to co-design and build Bål Plass for a rural island community in Norway. The outdoor site that we planned with the community was in response to current economic hardships attributed to their declining fishing fleet. The site features a multi-level deck, a communal table, a play ramp for children with a handrail that emulates a local bird song, a pizza oven hut incorporating wine bottles from the Queen of Norway’s visit, pavers, planters, ergonomic seating, a fire pit, and an entrance sign. Most materials used in the construction were re-purposed from other unused sites on the island or sourced from the landscape itself, such as the boulder seating around the fire pit and scrap wood used in the deck and furniture construction. LGBTQ pride is celebrated in Traena and was incorporated into the site aesthetics, providing a welcome space. Please CLICK HERE to see my design sketches along with group photos from the design build.
CREATORS SPACE SERIES + MENTORSHIP
PROJECT
Creators Space Series & Mentorship | Denver, CO | 2022
KEY TOOLS
MS Office & Mixed Media Supplies
ORGANIZATIONS
UCD & REVEL
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
I spent the larger part of 2022 mentoring with a Denver non-profit group, REVEL, in a variety of activities including gardening, equine therapy, yoga, social skills groups and one-on-one discussions. REVEL provides life skills support and community engagement opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum and those with other neurodivergences. This past Fall I developed and instructed a 5-session modeling workshop called Creators Space to delve into nonverbal ways to communicate ideas about space and place…these were typically with10 participants on the spectrum, most non-verbal. The workshop was initially inspired by the book Dream, Build, Play by James Rojas and John Kamp. Please CLICK HERE to view a photo collection from the workshop series.
EXPLORE EUREKA
PROJECT
Explore Eureka | Eureka, CA | 2014
KEY TOOLS
Adobe Creative Suite & MS Office
ORGANIZATIONS
City of Eureka | Community Services Department
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
I co-developed Explore Eureka, The City of Eureka’s first outdoor recreation program, for the city’s Community Services Department (Formerly known as the Parks and Recreation Department). From the conception of the program, to developing the interactive family guidebook that leads visitors and residents through Eureka’s outdoor recreation areas, varied multi-generational opportunities for engagement with nature and community were woven throughout. These included community nature classes, an outdoor social club called "Trail Mix", "Wild Nights" environmental education series, and the "Hometown Adventure Series". To view selected work samples, please click EXPLORE EUREKA. To view a referral from the Community Services Department, please CLICK HERE.
WSP COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECTS
PROJECT LOCATION
Mattole River Revamp & Watershed Awareness Event | Petrolia, CA | 2015
KEY TOOLS
Adobe Creative Suite, Natural Materials, & Landscaping Tools
ORGANIZATIONS
Watershed Stewards Program | AmeriCorps/CCC
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
I co-developed two community outreach projects to raise watershed awareness and restore salmonid habitat as part of the Watershed Stewards Program. For the MATTOLE RIVER REVAMP we conducted a regional survey to identify a site that would substantially benefit from riparian restoration. After securing permissions, we developed a restoration action plan, launched a marketing campaign, recruited volunteers, and executed a full day volunteer event to restore the selected riparian habitat by planting cottonwoods and willow trees that were propagated in the native plant nursery. Our marketing campaign included print material, PSAs, and social media outreach. For the WATERSHED AWARENESS EVENT we led a group of Campers and counselors from Lost Coast Camp and Interns from the Mattole Restoration Council to create emergency refugia for anadromous salmonids during an extended period of drought.
NPS INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS
PROJECT
NPS Interpretive Programs | Mesa Verde, CO & Skagway, AK | 2013 & 2014
KEY TOOLS
National Park Service Archives, MS Office, & Adobe Creative Suite
ORGANIZATIONS
National Park Service | The Department of the Interior
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
As a seasonal Interpretation Ranger for the National Park Service, I independently developed and presented interpretation programs for visitor groups of up to 100 about natural, cultural, and historic park resources. These programs included walking tours, cliff dwelling excursions, museum programs, K-12 classroom visits, and auditorium programs. Public service also informally took place while roving, operating National Park visitor centers as well as responding to medical and extreme weather emergencies. Please CLICK HERE for a sample of programmatic material: Who Found the Gold? -- This is the introduction script of a PowerPoint Auditorium program I developed to highlight Tlingit historical figures in the Klondike Gold Rush for Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.