Land8 | George McNair | Activity https://land8.com/members/georgemcnair/activity/ Activity feed for George McNair. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:50:42 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v=6.0.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 43ed4e3dc85ed31208ce0bd0ae1456c4 George McNair replied to the topic 1st year BLA student second guessing choice in Landscape Arch in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/1st-year-bla-student-second-guessing-choice-in-landscape-arch/#post-155980 Sat, 22 Dec 2012 01:42:33 +0000  
Where is Dan Johnson, who posed the question?

]]> 0 8214ec2053af17edc5a7ff23511db61e George McNair replied to the topic helpless? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/helpless/#post-156737 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 06:23:57 +0000 Just do what he wants providing it’s legal and is not a messed up plan which you will be liable for. If he pays the bills either quit after the next pay check or do what he wants. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make em drink. Our job is to please the client even if the plan is weird and off key………………make em happy.

]]> 0 70c4da1e6da36f6fd266cdab8b3956a9 George McNair replied to the topic Do you see any valuable potentials in Landscape design/ Landscape Architect? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION http://land8.com/forums/topic/do-you-see-any-valuable-potentials-in-landscape-design-landscape-architect/#post-157654 Thu, 03 May 2012 01:42:04 +0000  
 
LA and designers definately make our cities more enjoyable and aesthetical to live in. We see a whole host of workers installing irrigation, lawns and trees that cool the city and make some urban area look like parks. Hats off to the industry.
 
Climate change is huge and involves every walk of life or profession before a solution can be formed.

]]> 0 becf0e8b9115453a12d8eaaa958f9f85 George McNair replied to the topic Guiding My Career Path in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/guiding-my-career-path/#post-157716 Wed, 02 May 2012 16:34:18 +0000  It’s all about image with most of the homeowners that are willing to pay for my services
 
Yip, so true. When picking up $75k checks, one must at least dress in slacks, good shirt and decent shoes. My scale of operation is picking up $7k checks if I’m lucky.  Presently, am semi-retired but need to pick up some jobs for mental and physical healt…[Read more]

]]> 0 df1d93e8703927818553c5f3c4c689b7 George McNair replied to the topic Guiding My Career Path in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/guiding-my-career-path/#post-157718 Wed, 02 May 2012 13:28:52 +0000 “not going to let the back-hoe and 48” Deck SKAG operating, dump truck driving designer anywhere near their property.”  This is a little sterotypical. Sure we all want to target the wealthy home owners who will spend $200k on a landscape but until this happens do you muck around installing labor intensive landscapes?
Craig, the point is to have a…[Read more]

]]> 0 3755aae84e79566d45807e24b68b95d1 George McNair replied to the topic Guiding My Career Path in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/guiding-my-career-path/#post-157720 Tue, 01 May 2012 16:38:33 +0000  
“The owner is a nice guy, but mentality closed off. They have been doing the same thing for 30 years and just can’t see the benefit of being flexible, or trying something new.”  Trying new things means new problems that cost time and money.
 
The owner is responsible for law suits for up to 7 years after the design goes in. If one of your id…[Read more]

]]> 0 95f89a6c40059b269143683a4abfc94e George McNair replied to the topic Guiding My Career Path in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/guiding-my-career-path/page/2/#post-157722 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:14:20 +0000  
Building landscapes is one of the most difficult construction jobs to do since it requires so many different trades or skills. One must have tools for irrigation, lighting, rototilling, excavation, cement work, carpentry, surveying, planting stuff, flat bed deliveries and the list goes on. Each category requires special equipment and is a sep…[Read more]

]]> 0 d7874c6aaa08f3950ccdcc541a4e9e3f George McNair 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-157875 Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:45:04 +0000 Are you a LA in Hong Kong?
 
What kind of projects are you doing in Hong Kong?

]]> 0 e11ff586303e729802d5a1b6d9630842 George McNair replied to the topic Should I major in landscape architecture? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-i-major-in-landscape-architecture/page/2/#post-157895 Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:56:12 +0000 good points

]]> 0 6d612fa3eb2231624aee993301031d78 George McNair replied to the topic Should I major in landscape architecture? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-i-major-in-landscape-architecture/page/3/#post-157896 Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:54:15 +0000 Waiting tables is probably harder than LA and some make great money on tips. Getting on with a great restaurant isn’t easy. Oh well, the grass is always greener on the other side. 

]]> 0 e65b1472862bf6e0b365bcab8b3ec40a George McNair replied to the topic Should I major in landscape architecture? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-i-major-in-landscape-architecture/page/3/#post-157897 Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:44:33 +0000 One needs to seek out colleges that offers hot careers such as electical engineering or mechanical engineering.

]]> 0 ca19fc96bdf359d336ce1f0a05bc34ec George McNair replied to the topic Should I major in landscape architecture? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-i-major-in-landscape-architecture/page/3/#post-157898 Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:36:47 +0000 Are you design-build?
 
What kind of projects are you getting?
 
What is CSU?
 
 

]]> 0 a47274beb59c36720d3fa64086a4a5e8 George McNair replied to the topic Should I major in landscape architecture? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-i-major-in-landscape-architecture/page/3/#post-157899 Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:24:35 +0000 We did not cover zoning ordinances at the U of Oregon, but we should have. Later in my career I worked as a county planner and my job was to explain, enforce, and help the public with zoning ordinances.
How could a small LA firm get business from CEQR and NPDES in state or nationally?
I saw some job openings at large firms in Portland, Oregon, but…[Read more]

]]> 0 ec0198696168e74728a1243a93eae13b George McNair replied to the topic Should I major in landscape architecture? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-i-major-in-landscape-architecture/page/4/#post-157915 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:52:53 +0000 Your first two years of college is very general, so you can switch majors and apply to another college if needed without much wasted time.
 
What college are you applying to?

]]> 0 6ced62ec7601602bc21c5b592829617b George McNair replied to the topic Should I major in landscape architecture? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-i-major-in-landscape-architecture/page/4/#post-157917 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:30:53 +0000 You have a good degree Heather and there are ways to make it pay off. Sounds like you are doing well with the design-build. I used to do design-build but am strictly design and planning now but it’s slow.
I’m toying with an advertising idea to stress that LAs can do the design, get the client lower cost by the bidding process and improve…[Read more]

]]> 0 c2d36fc6baf093423ec08075357741f1 George McNair 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/page/4/#post-157919 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:09:18 +0000 agree and well stated……………..

]]> 0 06bc096e776eb6cf30186e1cb68ec260 George McNair 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/page/4/#post-157920 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:07:15 +0000  
Relax, think clearly, and don’t panic. If you like cad, then civil engineering is similar to LA.  You can do bridge design, factory layout, road design, dams, drainage systems, waste water treatment, water treatment plants and the list goes on. Electrical engineering is really big in the computer field. My sister-in-law designs electrical cir…[Read more]

]]> 0 de626992012af0751f4ec74d4f879478 George McNair 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/page/4/#post-157925 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:23:43 +0000  
“MHO..Little gardens are nice, and I hope some people make a living at it, but far far more people are working away at Visual Impact Statements and Stormwater pollution requirements”  hmmm…………..
what about big gardens? 
 
Medium gardens?…………….
 
what about HUD housing? What about Oregon Plan…[Read more]

]]> 0 315675e4a25bb202e01a12d0404e7574 George McNair 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/page/5/#post-157926 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:51:43 +0000 I like your positive attitude and what you say happened around 1982-1983 during this recession. The development activity slowly came back. If you could weather the storm you were fine.

]]> 0 670ba2d797f72483912eedcb90097549 George McNair 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/page/5/#post-157927 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:12:24 +0000 Agree completely.

]]> 0 f2ff0cde1cd0fe4923416d8da5af4eaf George McNair 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/page/5/#post-157933 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:36:57 +0000 The problem is that arch/la professors tend to guide students toward traditional career paths in la/arch and there just are not enough jobs/projects right now to support all of the new grads that want to practice design right out of school.
 
Recession seem to occur every 30 years and LAs get hit hard during these times.   Be ready to weather the storms.

]]> 0 d137853c2dcf3b4601a16946e099aca3 George McNair 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/page/5/#post-157934 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:32:40 +0000 What?

]]> 0 bdf1f9877f4fb07f0c8f7db4cc12aff6 George McNair 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/page/5/#post-157935 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:30:37 +0000 I graduated in the spring of 2009, and did not find an industry job until fall 2011.
 
This doesn’t sound like a good career endeavor since we are adivising someone on career choices. During recessions, some professions do well while others dissolve. 

]]> 0 c1be90467d0d01c4408bebaa2b4cf34d George McNair 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/page/5/#post-157936 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:21:44 +0000 Nursing is a very good bet.

]]> 0 d6da8af2fb084b9d6b82908281bbc558 George McNair 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/page/5/#post-157937 Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:18:02 +0000 My point is, do you know what CEQR and NPDES are? These are legistlative driving forces behind employment of LA’s (with health benefits),
 
Please tell us what your point it all about?

]]> 0 91b2185c966f52f4204a022fbb86248c George McNair 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/page/6/#post-157944 Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:56:10 +0000  
You are a smart young man looking to the future. The plan to teach CAD at the high school level is a good choice. Stay out of L, Architecture unless you want to get a PHD and teach, or get on with the government……………………I have to go and will be back on the form later.
 
If you insist, then Architecture is another way to go.
 
 

]]> 0 b0c0dd4c1ded17ed0c32404acb5b3bfb George McNair replied to the topic Should the ASLA focus on employment for LAs? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-the-asla-focus-on-employment-for-las/#post-157967 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:20:37 +0000 Now we are on the same page, and I fully agree with your comments.  My original comments were not too well focused and confused your train of thought. My LA career is coming to an end since social security and medicare are happening. My LA goals are more limited, and political. I plan to stay active for as long as my health holds up. My comments…[Read more]

]]> 0 478fc022b5186390d1dd59f6e529d2dc George McNair replied to the topic Should the ASLA focus on employment for LAs? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-the-asla-focus-on-employment-for-las/#post-157969 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:17:34 +0000 Jason your words below are characteristic of many LAs and I fully agree. When it comes to massive site plans, we are the most qualified by training. The political powers need to realize what we do and put us in the drivers seat. 
 
Jason said, “Our voice is not strong, our voice is not united. We do too much crap and we cede parts of our p…[Read more]

]]> 0 45fa314d04d40b28cd4c4e59a517d201 George McNair replied to the topic New level of certification for LEED in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/new-level-of-certification-for-leed/#post-158061 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:04:04 +0000 Yeah, I have been cracking the books too……………….really up on the magnets.

]]> 0 75450389c14f1e97d72c6d20ee7a5b99 George McNair replied to the topic Looking for contacts in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/looking-for-contacts/#post-158011 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:55:28 +0000  
email me Francesco    gmcnair2@frontier.com

]]> 0 5afd9654c6cf60d8bb058c7962306ec4 George McNair replied to the topic Should the ASLA focus on employment for LAs? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-the-asla-focus-on-employment-for-las/#post-157972 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:44:29 +0000 It is really great to hear from you and Jason. It’s encouraging to hear some progress is being made on the political front by the ASLA. Do you have budget figures that specifies the money spent on political lobbying and adds that define what landscape architects do?   
As far as my contribution, Steve Potter and I initiated the Landscape Ar…[Read more]

]]> 0 b442889703e6f70ecf69ff4053b6cebf George McNair replied to the topic Should the ASLA focus on employment for LAs? in the forum GENERAL DISCUSSION https://land8.com/forums/topic/should-the-asla-focus-on-employment-for-las/#post-157975 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:34:09 +0000  
Zach, you are entitled to your opinion but you missed the point. Yes, we do all that you suggest, but we add more layers of education and marketing of the LA profession. All sucessful industries lobby the political system for their causes. Lke it or not, we are competing with landscape contractors, engineers, architects, and plannners for a la…[Read more]

]]> 0 d6ee5623266558780eb3f168495afd97 George McNair 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-158174 Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:33:57 +0000

Bottom line is why a MLA? Isn’t anyone paying attention to the economy and which professions are ALWAYS hit the hardest during recessions?
 
This is so true. Anyone in the building industry gets hit the hardest and not just LAs. LAs do get the worst. I found this out in 1982 when my Oregon design build business went from going wide open to n…

[Read more]

]]> 0 2a741814819e45b303891a312e3a157c George McNair 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-158178 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:46:07 +0000 Mike, nice pictures of your landscape projects on your personal page.

]]> 0 f96b7f9da03c93fa87966f54201b148d George McNair 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-158180 Sun, 08 Apr 2012 03:44:55 +0000 Your plan is workable if you can find the right person. Most builders may want to employ you rather than partner up. A new landscaper may want a partner. You may wind up doing some of the actual landscape construction work to stay busy. This means shoveling bark, raking future lawns, or clearing irrigation ditches. The paper work is about 20% of…[Read more]

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