Land8 | April Prey | Activity https://land8.com/members/aprilprey/activity/ Activity feed for April Prey. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 23:43:16 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v=6.0.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 0c59593efa58a7ac120851c6ca435700 April Prey replied to the topic Good Source of Stock Landscape Plant Imagery? in the forum PLANTS & HORTICULTURE https://land8.com/forums/topic/good-source-of-stock-landscape-plant-imagery/#post-155582 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 17:50:30 +0000 Hello Katharine:

So, to answer the burning question: is it permissible to use Monrovia web photos for lanscape sales materials? It would certainly make such materials much more cost effective for a small business; as I noted above, the botanical stock photo sites charge quite a bit.  Mainstream stock photos are reasonably priced, but simply don’t cut it.

]]> 0 2f27eaa219fa09ee3a2cad99caeb64b4 April Prey replied to the topic Good Source of Stock Landscape Plant Imagery? in the forum PLANTS & HORTICULTURE https://land8.com/forums/topic/good-source-of-stock-landscape-plant-imagery/#post-155585 Thu, 07 Feb 2013 22:46:32 +0000 I have wondered about asking Monrovia…maybe I’ll shoot them an email.  After all, it would help them sell more plants.  All they can do is say no.

]]> 0 cc629ad4187926d52afce21cc18a3ffd April Prey replied to the topic Good Source of Stock Landscape Plant Imagery? in the forum PLANTS & HORTICULTURE https://land8.com/forums/topic/good-source-of-stock-landscape-plant-imagery/#post-155587 Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:38:10 +0000 I was hoping for a source where we could actually purchase and use the images in company marketing materials.  I could swear sites like that note the images are copyrighted and owned by the web host or Monrovia.  The larger, more general stock photo companies don’t seem horticulturally trustworthy.
I have found a couple of sources, but they are pricey.

]]> 0 977a84a609e57a6990aee5a9236889e5 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/2/#post-158147 Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:04:23 +0000 Good luck Kim!  Texas sounds like a blast…I want to do a BBQ tour of the area some day.  That….and spend a week at a bucking bull ranch so I could draw bulls day in and day out.
The naysayers seem to have forgotten that you already have a career that gave you a skill set you could fall back on if necessary – or even possibly merge some of y…[Read more]

]]> 0 e8b16553882a74bfdded68f2b941d34a April Prey replied to the topic Alternative Career Paths in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/alternative-career-paths/#post-157608 Mon, 21 May 2012 22:29:49 +0000 Leslie:
On a related note….a few months ago I read an interesting article about a study done on college transfer/completion rates.  One surprising find was that a significant number of college students were “transferring down” from 4-year bachelor’s programs to 2-year community college/trade type programs.  This was typically done in junior y…[Read more]

]]> 0 a4b8b768c0395d56d77991dcdc3d740e April Prey replied to the topic Alternative Career Paths in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/alternative-career-paths/#post-157612 Sun, 20 May 2012 18:36:02 +0000 A few job posting come through via the university – many from alumni that either work for local firms or started their own design/build.  But what is striking about the ones I see through the university is that the majority of them want 1-3 years of experience….

Haven’t figured out how a requirement like that is useful to those graduating with…[Read more]

]]> 0 aef4e6c0f9a9cd76c646fe6c160a0939 April Prey replied to the topic Alternative Career Paths in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/alternative-career-paths/page/2/#post-157615 Sun, 20 May 2012 02:14:49 +0000 FWIW…in the Seattle area, residential/small commercial design/build is the only thing showing signs of life; those doing this type of work are the only ones displaying any sense of optimism.  Most of the job posting that have been circulated to us are for small design/build firms.  The larger, more prestigious firms….the sound of crickets.  

]]> 0 8fa8b2a3259d7858c0860b54cd4507b8 April Prey replied to the topic Alternative Career Paths in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/alternative-career-paths/page/3/#post-157630 Fri, 04 May 2012 22:52:36 +0000 I have seen ads run by companies that sell equipment/products related to landscape architecture.  Apologies for not keeping links to them to show you.  One in particular, a company that sold playground equipment, was very upfront about preferring graduates of architecture/landscape architecture programs, and noted they were often their best s…[Read more]

]]> 0 40e26d8f19a44af30e987a57a8508b23 April Prey replied to the topic Should I major in landscape architecture? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/should-i-major-in-landscape-architecture/#post-157871 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 04:52:59 +0000 Michael:
Been following this discussion, but did not feel compelled to add anything until I saw your most recent post.  Based on that, I would say: yes, go into LA.  Why?
I am finishing year 2 of a BLA.  The few paid internships in the Seattle area have gone to people who either had experience in the field prior to setting foot in the program, or…[Read more]

]]> 0 ba14c2d8ab3112a86414173a0d7c4126 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/3/#post-158171 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:21:52 +0000 Go Leslie B!  (why doesn’t this forum place replies under the post you are replying to?) I will turn 51 in a matter of days and am finishing year 2 of a BLA.  I chose to go the post-baccalaureate route for reasons I can share if you are interested.  I also commute 95 miles a day round trip via regional transit (a challenge in itself)  I would not…[Read more]

]]> 0 208540e596526022725b5f43d44d5d62 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/4/#post-158179 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 03:57:55 +0000 Fabulous info – thanks.  Especially the info about the ratio of paperwork vs. building – I had wondered about that.

]]> 0 241e7d18da64229c0007b765fec91ed4 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/4/#post-158186 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:15:34 +0000 For you, Craig.  And the thanks. I never fail to be amazed at how helpful and generous one stranger can be to another.

]]> 0 c48e59e41209bfd2bac6da94cebf5595 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/5/#post-158188 Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:04:39 +0000 I wish I could take credit for the ‘chunks of guys like you in my stool’ line…but must give credit where its due.
RIP Phil Hartman 1948-1998 (probably did not pen the line but he delivered it wonderfully playing Frank Sinatra giving Billy Idol some grief).
Thanks for taking the time crafting thoughtful, ‘food for thought’ posts. Just…[Read more]

]]> 0 f5d1b7385da9d7aac3385e2850513112 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/5/#post-158193 Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:33:48 +0000 I am mystified as to how folks can assume that its a “choice” between entry level employment and going it alone.  It isn’t. And while going it alone is hard…how is that ANY harder than trying to get a foot in the door in this economy? Nobody has made the case that gaining entry level employment in a shitty market is easier!  I should also add t…[Read more]

]]> 0 d5835a6e3acae8a0687b92d7fc8192d3 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/6/#post-158212 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:31:38 +0000 RE: mentoring. Couldn’t agree more.  I think the mentor/mentee relationship is one of the most profoundly important relationships a person could have.  However, how many professionals have you met in your career are willing or have the time/energy to be mentors?  I have heard engineers and lawyers complain for years about the dearth of me…[Read more]

]]> 0 c64f504765a56e3aa1c404e786335d40 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/7/#post-158219 Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:13:45 +0000 Aw, c’mon…take a swing.  You know you want to!
Seriously – I have had TONS of client contact in my previous jobs with some very difficult and demanding people.  I don’t see how a landscape installer can be any worse than Bill Gates Sr. (yeah, that one – NOT the nicest guy), an attorney that graduated from Yale that thinks his shit doesn’t s…[Read more]

]]> 0 d38c14423eed3a1ec60741961ab12f4e April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION http://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/7/#post-158220 Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:00:03 +0000 I would prefer to hear all the nasty realities.  My partner of many years owned a building company back in the 80’s that went bankrupt.  I have heard the stories.  Believe me…I wouldn’t be able to lift a finger towards a goal like this without a ton of research, a solid business plan – solid enough to convince a lender to extend a line of cr…[Read more]

]]> 0 e64c834117b45965ed4922405039e21e April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/7/#post-158221 Sun, 01 Apr 2012 17:40:10 +0000 Are there rules against dreaming and wishful thinking on this board? 
Let me assure you I’m more pessimistic than my post lets on.  In fact, if I’m not careful, I’ll morph into the female version of you if I don’t watch it.

]]> 0 c254524f6886bdf91bfa6aadd8fb6976 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/7/#post-158230 Sun, 01 Apr 2012 01:25:37 +0000 “… it’s not easy being a young articulate college grad…”

Thank you for calling this 51 year old “young”.  You made my day!

]]> 0 3b2d3c1fca7a772585bfbf734400631c April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/7/#post-158232 Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:12:53 +0000 “A twenty four year old who has labored for a successful landscape contractor for five years is likely to be better prepared to run a landscape construction business than someone out of school.”
Bingo.  Thanks for confirming my train of thought.  This is exactly the type of person I’d want to partner up with: my design abilities + your knowledge o…[Read more]

]]> 0 07cb9d790c394a8c8a3a2b5d8e952f31 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/8/#post-158238 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:45:34 +0000 “I encourage you all to dip your foot into the entrepreneurial pool.”
I wish you could come and talk to our professional practice class about that!  There needs to be a lot more education/support in BLA/MLA programs that would equip us to start our own businesses.  The entire thrust of our class is geared around the typical path of “do p…[Read more]

]]> 0 ee4b9db86fe4f9ffe0cd2595e32352ab April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/8/#post-158245 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:19:58 +0000 Same with internships.  The very few people in my class doing internships are the “software stars” of the class – OR they had prior experience in the field before starting the program.

In one particular case, a well-paying internship went to a third year BLA that already had years of experience in landscape construction and installation.  When I…[Read more]

]]> 0 a0a6385671a35febe02a036df5ee33a8 April Prey replied to the topic Anyone know what the job market is like for an MLA grad? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/anyone-know-what-the-job-market-is-like-for-an-mla-grad/page/9/#post-158255 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:06:17 +0000 Hello Kim:
Other posters have addressed your main question regarding the job market.  I wanted to comment on your issue as a fellow “mid career changer” – I will finish up year 2 of my BLA in June.  My prior life includes 25 years of work experience in non profits, env. engineering, and law.  For reasons I won’t bore you with, I opted for a se…[Read more]

]]> 0 a671c4ad604cc3f50e866078f42ba963 April Prey replied to the topic The Unemployment Rate For Landscape Architects/Designers in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/the-unemployment-rate-for-landscape-architectsdesigners/page/3/#post-159033 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 20:08:14 +0000 Russell – boy do I feel your pain – it is really tough to stay positive.  I am finishing up year 2 of my BLA – each and every quarter I question the wisdom of continuing, generally waiting until the last minute to register.
My household of 2 – my partner and I, were both laid off our jobs in 2009 – he from his mechanical engineering job and me…[Read more]

]]> 0 ce6eaebd7b7996c6d1920c254238602a April Prey replied to the topic Rhino: where to start? in the forum TECHNOLOGY https://land8.com/forums/topic/rhino-where-to-start/#post-158719 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:00:39 +0000 I wish I had some advice for you, but can only offer sympathy!  The lack of tutorials, on-line help – things I frequently rely on when learning software – are not there for Rhino like AutoCAD, Photoshop – etc.
Our textbook was “Inside Rhinoceros 4” – Ron K.C. Cheng – my advice would be to get that and start slogging through it.  You’ll find out i…[Read more]

]]> 0 75ef3fabc23d9cba0f2417d687a84605 April Prey replied to the topic Model making in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/model-making/#post-158964 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:01:26 +0000 One of my favorite models I worked on used wire for trees.  Comes in many colors so you can stick with your neutral color scheme.  Damn, I’d take a photo of one if I could find one…but they are somewhat abstract and can be quick to make.
Do you have access to a laser cutter?  Once I used a laser cutter, I vowed to never cut chipboard manually ag…[Read more]

]]> 0 f0ee224cc0c27c4508f74e2ada3a6292 April Prey replied to the topic What is the best modeling/rendering software for landscape design? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/what-is-the-best-modelingrendering-software-for-landscape-design/#post-159422 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:55:33 +0000 My 2 cents as a second year BLA…
Our program is teaching Rhino 3D, along with the Rhino Terrain plug in, which is to be integrated into the next release.  Other than SketchUp, this has been my first foray into ‘real’ 3D.  As Ida said above, the learning curve is a bitch – I hear 3dsMax is even worse.
BUT – the point I am getting to is: part of t…[Read more]

]]> 0 458b66a1f801aa4761b3bd2681f17ce6 April Prey replied to the topic I need some advice about the working environment in the forum PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE https://land8.com/forums/topic/i-need-some-advice-about-the-working-environment/#post-159469 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:05:45 +0000 Question: when you are given a task by your boss, do you respond “OK” and walk away to begin said task?  The reason I ask is – you mentioned communication problems.  I’ll give you my two cents from my 25 years of non-landscape architecture work experience, a lot of that working for demanding attorneys….
Have you tried responding to your a…[Read more]

]]> 0 5261657d747f8f87bca82083fed4dffe April Prey replied to the topic How Can Landscape Lighting Benefit You and Your Clients in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/how-can-landscape-lighting-benefit-you-and-your-clients/#post-160417 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:10:21 +0000 I look forward to more discussion on this subject.  In the ever-gray Pacific NW – lighting can be used to great effect nearly 24/7 from OCT-MARCH.  I volunteer with a group restoring a historic cemetery, where the forgotten souls of an old asylum for the insane are buried. Been mulling over ways to give each grave site “a point of light” in a w…[Read more]

]]> 0 8013832ed2e5276e8958c4475daaea8a April Prey replied to the topic Has anyone here exited the Landscape Architecture industry? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/has-anyone-here-exited-the-landscape-architecture-industry/#post-161236 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:49:44 +0000 OK, Todd visits DC and then they have a rare earthquake.  Coincidence? Let’s talk about how you managed that this fall!
Glad to hear about the GIS, I intended to work on AutoCAD all summer, but due to my laptop crashing twice, I’m now focused on building a desktop – which I never thought I’d do in a million years.  All my carefully chosen c…[Read more]

]]> 0 10cad910cc4650ea4a551609abb8c00e April Prey replied to the topic Has anyone here exited the Landscape Architecture industry? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/has-anyone-here-exited-the-landscape-architecture-industry/#post-161237 Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:38:54 +0000 Todd, how the hell are ya?  Comments like that are the reason why you are one of my favorite people in our class!  Don’t get me started on how inflation data reeks of lies as well…
 
I hope the summer break is treating you well and I look forward to seeing you in a month or so.

]]> 0 ce28f6ef4e658780a08cd6718a7669d1 April Prey replied to the topic Has anyone here exited the Landscape Architecture industry? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/has-anyone-here-exited-the-landscape-architecture-industry/#post-161246 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:53:16 +0000 I question that figure as well – just checked a BLS website and it is true when race is taken into account – that is the figure for educated/white. I too know numerous educated people out of work.  I was a paralegal for 10 years prior to returning to school for a second degree (BLA – I start year 2 in Sept).  The legal profession was hit really h…[Read more]

]]> 0 8dbb2f4e4bf781bc442e5f63da76428a April Prey replied to the topic Autocad 2011 - Where do I start? in the forum TECHNOLOGY https://land8.com/forums/topic/autocad-2011-where-do-i-start/#post-163487 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:40:30 +0000 Claudia: I’m curious as to how you are faring with AutoCAD. I will be a second year this fall (BLA).  We got a whirlwind tour of Adobe, AutoCAD, ArcGIS and SketchUp in one 10 week quarter.  I’m spending the summer slogging through Ellen Finkelstein’s AutoCAD Bible.  A couple of my classmates and I egg each other on once a week or so to keep us go…[Read more]

]]> 0 99185c18a6c41bad1cb4d988513c8343 April Prey replied to the topic BLA Grads: What Would You Have Done Differently? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/bla-grads-what-would-you-have-done-differently/#post-168957 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:29:29 +0000 No worries – I know from personal experience how tough times are. It’s hard not to rant. Thanks for your helpful suggestions!

]]> 0 bf35d2c6df8b6fc24a47c20954754c74 April Prey replied to the topic BLA Grads: What Would You Have Done Differently? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/bla-grads-what-would-you-have-done-differently/page/2/#post-168958 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:26:15 +0000 “College is a dream world, focusing on big glamorous projects. But in my experience, it just isn’t reality.”

That is SO true! One of the benefits of doing this a second time around is that I’ve already gone through the realization that the “real world” is vastly different from the “artificial” world of academia.

The BLA program at UW has three…[Read more]

]]> 0 c0bb6f668fa0b9590868b7bf37b79630 April Prey replied to the topic BLA Grads: What Would You Have Done Differently? in the forum EDUCATION https://land8.com/forums/topic/bla-grads-what-would-you-have-done-differently/page/2/#post-168961 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:15:16 +0000 Trust me, that option was considered – I almost did not take the spot. I won’t bore you with the details. My entire household of 2 was a victim of the economy – my partner just went back to work after a year of unemployment. But the “pros” outweighed the “cons” by a nose (or a hair).

Anyone willing offer constructive advice focused on the…[Read more]

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