[Guy Stivers]

Permaculture certification is good; however, not very applicable in this current economy. Work on becoming a ISA certified arborist and then study “urban forestry’. Our current understanding of “sustainbility” started with the forestry industry. With this certification and focus you’ll enhance your chance at employment.

The arborist and urban foresters are ten-years ahead of the landscape architects on the subject of “sustainability”. They manage the landscape and can tell you what works. Consider this fact, the average life span of a urbanized street tree is only eight-years! That’s not sustainable, landscape architects can do better but they need to understand the biology of trees.

See James Urban FASLA, landscape architect and arborist.
See Gifford Pinchot, father of forestry conservation and contempory with Fredrick Law Olmstead (collaborated on the Biltmore)

[Guy Stivers]

SO MUCH DOOM AND GLOOM! Hey this recession shall pass. I’ve live through three of them (1975, 1981, 1991) and they don’t last for ever. It’s time to be creative. Back in the 1981 recession (I’m really old) I packed my pencils, “T” square, portfolio, and headed down to Australia/New Zealand. I found work as a LA and had the time of my life. After a year down-under, came back to the States and found work no problem.

Look at this as an opportunity. Landscape architecture is a journey not a sprint.

Guy Stivers, Old timer

[Guy Stivers]

Jack: I’ve been at this a long time (30-years) Landscape Architecture is a business, some are manage better than others, just like any other business out there. If your layed off, fired, what ever, dust yourself off and move on to better opportunities ! ! ! ! But watch out, bad mouthing a firm can backfire.

Guy Stivers, old timer (1975, 1981, and 1992 recession survivor)

[Guy Stivers]

Hi Kellye, to the potential hire:

Can you identify three projects that our firm has done that truely impress you and why? Go ahead lay it on thick ! ! !

What community or environmental non-profits have you worked for? What was your “scope of work”?

While working at the non-profits what famous personalities, public officials, CEO’s, agency Directors, board members did you meet and have an opportunity to work with ?

What are the five most pressing environmental issues in the region (firm’s service area) ?

How much money do you want?

Optional: What have you done for me lately? Why do you want to work for me? Can you make the coffee?

Guy Stivers an old-timer at hiring

[Guy Stivers]

Matt: Drew recommends a good source. All serious Industrial Design is based on nature. Evolution has worked out the bugs. All we got to do is copy it.

[Guy Stivers]

I’ve got thirty-years in the business (landscape architecture is a business!) and found that if a firm says they practice “sustainable landscape design” most likely they don’t. If you want to do sustainable design don’t look at the self proclaim, look at me, I’m a LEED certified design firm; go talk to a local environmental non-profit (watershed protection, a Land Trust, a natural resources agency) who could use your services NOW. You won’t make much money but you’ll get a better understanding of your local environmental issues and you get to work with passionate people. Many of these non-profits are well connected and funded. In relatively short time you might find yourself talking to CEO’s, City/County Representatives, future employers and clients. You’ll learn rapidly what “real” sustainability is all about – its about people, business, connections and understanding of local environmental issues. THEN RUN FOR CONGRESS ! ! !

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