Welcome 

Here you'll find an overview of my work in landscape architecture and planning. I focus on contextual and ecology-informed design, inclusive green places in cities, and novel and restored ecosystems. I've collaborated with action research colleagues on resilience-building projects in remote locales in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa—places that struggle with impacts of climate change and globalization. Lately I've been following two research threads: convivial greenstreets in dense urban cores, and the state of professional planting practices in the northeast U.S. in the face of climate and biodiversity challenges.

I arrived at Penn State University in 1993 after +8 years of consulting in Toronto. Over the last 3 decades I mostly taught upper-level design studios and courses on site ecology and plants in the landscape. From 2008 to 2023 my Pittsburgh Studio introduced advanced students to designing in and with underserved communities.

I was granted Distinguished Professor Emeritus status by the president of Penn State upon retirement. I hope to stay active on select appointments and collaborations as a scholar-practitioner.

on climate change

The essential question of the Anthropocene is whether the most powerful...societies will deliver on their shared aspirations for a better future for all people and the planet. And that means taking responsibility.

E. Ellis, 2023

on biodiversity and healthy ecosystems

I can't imagine anything more important than air, water, soil, energy and biodiversity. These are the things that keep us alive.

D. Suzuki, 2008

on inclusivity and our mutual humanity 

A garden's beauty never lies in one flower. 

M. Dhliwayo, 2021

on democratic design

The questions that designers need to ask are implicitly ethical ... Design is a basic human activity to which everyone should have access. 

K. Krippendorff, 2007

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If you share these values, 

vote Democrat in November.