Activity

Well,

The easiest way might be to find or take a picture of a prairie you like and create a photoshop montage with it.

The way I have used more in the past is to create custom brushes in photoshop. There are videos online about creating custom brushes. If you create a grass brush, which there may already be one by defauly in your brushes palette…[Read more]

No contradiction at all. We influence, but we do so within the project that either happens or does not happen because someone else needs or wants it done.

Every chef needs to work with ingredients and a kitchen. In our line of work, we work in someone else’s kitchen and with their menu almost all of the time. We might add some spices and…[Read more]

To that point: GM corn has been found in the mountains of northern Mexico where the wild species come from. No one is sure how it got there, but it threatens the gene pool for corn.

Scientists make promises and corporations make promises and yet stuff happens and it is impossible to un-do

That’s the problem with GM, Bob, it is ‘polar bear’ splicing, as you say, and then the modified genes escape (and with corn, Monsanto makes a pretty penny suing farmers whose GM corn has escaped..). I think this is horrible. Also GM corn has impacted butterflies – it may be good for the farmer not to have a single weed, but Monarchs were living on…[Read more]

The users of these trees are not trying to provide wildlife shelter or species diversity, they want a fast growing fiber crop. California Oaks grow Sloooooooowwwwwwwlllllyyyyy….. the lack of understory plants is a good thing for the “crop system” nothing to mow mulch, or spray, as for flammable yep they will burn, and yes they do use water, but…[Read more]

Why LA’s don’t like eucs:
1. Almost no support for wildlife. California oak supports at least 100 times more insects, a primary food source. No wildlife shelter, compared to oaks, also.
2. Extremely flammable – ‘gasoline trees’
3. Allelopathy plus ex-foliation further limits understory and diversity.
4. Water gulpers.
5. Hummingbird killers, from…[Read more]

these trees are not to be harvested for cheap plywood, in fact eucalyptus has little timber value, the first eucalyptus was brought to the US for railroad ties, but the wood was found to be too brittle to use for ties. These trees are to be grown for wood fiber fuel to power powerplants as our society moves away from coal and petroleum. Cellular…[Read more]

Rob, I am not saying LA’s advise on ‘agroforestry research’ and I think it is a misnomer to call this introduction of a genetically modified invasive species by that name. It is not agroforestry research – it is business. And an EIS requires all kinds of experts..I am pointing out to my fellow LA’s that this is the type of thing we SHOULD be vocal…[Read more]

“and thats all the developers are after. More can be done, and has been done long before LEED came along. Its a start.”

When LEED first came out in the 90’s I was fundamentally opposed to it. However, it has created a demand even if ever so slightly where now developers want LEED certificaiton…even if it’s the low hanging fruit type.

No, in…[Read more]

They may “need” the ideal crop but we need to protect our shared resources and wildlife.

Bob, I would not assume that the constructive response is to suggest another species that can be harvested more speedily. As human population grows and as American ideas of consumption spread, we cannot simply expect the planet to churn out endless resources…[Read more]

And your substitute tree? Lets come up with a solution rather than just complaint that we are being ignored. Why the trees need to be genetically modified is a good question, can’t a cold hardy species be developed through cross breeding alone? I understand the water issue, they do require a decent amount of water, but they are a fast grower and…[Read more]

We are the synthesists, Rob – it is our job to put it all together..!! We have a unstated policy in my office of taking out euc’s..for many reasons..And we certainly DON’T plant them and would not want more euc’s in the world..How can you NOT ask an LA to be part of this decision making process.., I ask back at you..We are a huge user group, and…[Read more]

‘cynicism, expressed in constructive and goal oriented fashion..’

You mean ‘ambition’ then? If so, I would agree, not more cynicism. What do they say about talent? ‘Liquified trouble.’

Thank you Nick! I will check out the ASLA posting page, that should have been an obvious place for me to look. And I do admit I cringed a little, but more in the sense that I was shocked at where I was when it still feels like yesterday!

Thanks

And this appears to me to be a conservationist, biologist, ecologist, and agronomist issue first. What role do you see for L.A.s in the decision?

James,

Thanks for your adding your comment to this discussion. Yes it looks very good for residential projects.

wow..Long super-smart reply of mine didn’t get saved, too many edits..Oh well, I will remember the brilliance! (just kidding..)
Andrew, you are contradicting yourself..On the one hand, you say the only way we can change things is through purchase, and on the other hand you describe the pleasure of problem solving in LA (persuading to your…[Read more]

So now what has been done to Southern California will be done to Texas and Florida?
Apparently as Florida works to eradicate Melaleuca, there’s space for a new invasive.

… and how does “society” change landscape architecture other than what they want to buy??? …… by all of those regulatory boards that you hate.

Those are the two big realities of landscape architecture – you can only do what other people want you to do and you have to do it within the bounds of regulations. You better like one of those or…[Read more]

I agree.
The site is designed already, so you can put a lump sum fee on it, specifying that the fee is based on the plans as of such-and-such date. Changes will be charged at $ x/hour. Hourly rates on their own can scare off the inexperienced. Like getting in a taxi with a $50/minute meter. The mind takes you to awful possibilities.

Besides, you…[Read more]