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I asked a very similar question here recently, so I’d like to know what’s going on out there as well.
 
As far as I can tell in terms of compensation, it’s all across the boards. New grads with little or no experience are getting paid very well in some regions, while others with lots of experience and skill are making low hourly wages.
 
In the p…[Read more]

Great thread, and some really insightful comments!  
 
Here is the problem, as I see it:  I have an art background, an environmental degree (undergraduate), a masters in landscape architecture, and many years of experience working as both landscape designer and plantsperson.  I now work in a planning office designing greenways, writing lan…[Read more]

That sounds like a great approach. Very human. “Hey, you’re going on vacation. Here’s a few extra bucks. Have a great time…” I also like the idea of it being random. Surprises are nice and it probably discourages gossip within the office. Instead of everyone getting their bonus at the same time and sharing notes; get your bonus, don’t talk about…[Read more]

A lot of questions!  I will give a partial answer to three:
 Is residential any more viable or any less viable than other types of practices currently?
What clients are actually hiring LAs as individuals or firms?
What, if any, clients prefer to avoid LAs and why?
Based on my experience, I believe design build firms will continue to dom…[Read more]

All jobs that I have had have given some type of bonus at the end of the year.Almost all seem to be based on a combination of the success of the company and individual performance (ie, different every year and usually a round number – not linked to payscale or a percentage). More recently, I have been getting surprise bonuses, usually just befor…[Read more]

Thanks for the advice Thomas-
Yes I’m looking at ways to move away from cattle grazing in the wetlands and moving towards small scale aquaculture as a sustainable alternative for the rural community..the decline in shellfishing was due in part to competition elsewhere and the area becoming more regulated in terms of flora/fauna (although this has…[Read more]

Are you by chance working on the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project?  If you are, it sounds like a great ecotourism project, so many things going on.  If it is not this project, check it out for ideas.  I was just looking at that project a few days ago and a couple recent articles came to mind.  I am a NPR news junky and recently they…[Read more]

I once got a square of chocolate from my project manager for “all of my hard work” (several weeks of 70+hrs.including more than a few over-nighters) I used restraint and did not throw it at him/her/it.

Wow, that is so helpful.  Thank you!

http://www.tournesolsiteworks.com
 
Not sure if this is what you are looking for but they are located in California.

I like Firesign Theater’s argument for ‘nucular’ – ” Nuclear = Unclear” hee hee ..the original Glenn Beck blackboard guys..

I was just having this discussion yesterday regarding health care. Apparently “complementary” medicine is the new term for “alternative” medicine, which sounded too hippy, dippy, trippy. The Eastern “complements” the Western. It is not to be confused with “complimentary” medicine, as it is neither free of charge nor commending your good health.…[Read more]

I geuss I see it as the second definition, ‘artistic’, in your Miriam Webster – here’s my list
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aesthetic
 
perhaps they are both correct,
sorry, Henry, I have an aesthetic interest in argument.. (? )The deparment of argument.
 
 

A couple of things come to mind…
1. Grazing and wetlands do not mix. I helped gather field data, studying the effects of cattle grazing on a fen in Colorado and it was not pretty. They destroy soil structure, which invites invasive species that take over and throw the whole thing out of whack. They also stomp trails through the peat which…[Read more]

I have to vote in favor of Mr. Quakenbush’s literal definition of “aesthetic”
http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aesthetically
However, I’m going to continue to say “aesthetically pleasing” because it’s a modern adaptation of the word. Words evolve and that’s how we use it now. It’s acceptable. In my search for a better understanding of…[Read more]

Google’s Free Apps for Android:
http://www.google.com/mobile/android/#utm_source=hc_header&utm_medium=Android&utm_campaign=topic=19501
(The menu across the top can take you to other phones…)

Mr. Quackenbush, I believe you are mistaken…or is it misteaken..? (kidding.) Aesthetic does not place a value, it only refers to art and artistic sensibilities..
something can be aesthetically pleasing because it is artistically to your taste, or it can be aesthetically offensive, or offensive to your artistic sensibilities..
I love a good word…[Read more]

Well, maybe, but our times may require it as a contrast to “horribly pleasing”, “disturbingly pleasing”, “Goth pleasing” etc. The Dark Side has been popular for decades!

I agree with your take on the mulch rings 100%…
 
On a side note, I wish people would stop saying ‘Aesthetically pleasing‘, that is just bad English.  The root ‘aesthetic’ means having a sense of the beautiful, and adding the word ‘pleasing’ at the end not only lessens the meaning of the word, but also adds a drab redundancy.  Do we say “that th…[Read more]

Yes! Syn-Mulch: It accessorizes and exfoliates!
Notice a patch of dry skin as you’re walking the red carpet? Good thing you wore your Syn-Mulch shawl. A casual brush of the cheek on your shoulder and it’s gone! And when you get home, you can use it as a door mat! Act now and we’ll throw in a second Syn-Mulch tree ring/door mat/ shawl for free.…[Read more]