Protect. Enhance. Restore.
For over 40 years our office has created landscapes that are embraced by the communities they serve.
Sustainability
The Green Economy bond, supported by the Grow Smart RI organization, recognizes Rhode Island's natural assets as its most valuable economic strength. This bond aims to put $35 million into protecting our lands and waters while building healthier communities.
Get informed! Check out these Resources:
The Green Economy Bond 2016 Fact Sheet
Smart Growth Briefing Book for Candidates and Voters 2016 Edition
And DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8th!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our PARK(ing) Day installation on Friday! We had a blast talking to the community about climate change, the role of landscape architects in resiliency planning, and how we can make positive changes for the future. For those of you who missed it, here are the highlights from the day:
We talked to passers-by about current sea level rise projections and what that means for Providence and Rhode Island. In turn they shared their thoughts and ideas with us on index cards and added them to our wall of hope throughout the day, creating a colorful mosaic. Some of our younger participants added to our chalk art of Rhode Island on the ground. Sailing flags spelling out H-O-P-E hung below the banners on the sidewalk. We used inundation-tolerant plant species to catch people's attention and make an attractive and informative display. The signage shows maps of sea level projections in Providence for 2050 and 2100 and talks about the causes, effects, and solutions to the problems coastal cities like Providence are facing.
COMING UP:
DesignWeek by DESIGNxRI September 14 - 25
As one of the local design talents being spotlighted this year, our very own Taber Caton will be giving a lecture and tour of Roger Williams Park Botanical Center. Searle Design Group completed the Master Plan for the center in 2010 to implement sustainable updates to the exterior grounds of New England's largest indoor garden.
This event is taking place THIS THURSDAY September 22 at noon at Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue in Providence, RI and is SOLD OUT as of today. Click here to learn more.
Climate Change is not all doom and gloom - while we still have a long way to go to return the Earth's climate to a sustainable condition, there are some positive developments. One of our greatest successes to date is the increased feasibility and implementation of renewable energy sources.
Rhode Island is a leader in renewable wind energy. The Block Island Wind Farm is the nation's first offshore wind farm. The project is small, consisting of five turbines capable of powering about 17,000 homes, but symbolic. You can read more about it here: http://nyti.ms/2bbYh97
In 2000, 9.4% of the United States' generated power came from renewable sources (solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass). By 2013 this percentage increased to 13.1%. The biggest game changer among these has been the increased use of wind power. In 2006, Rhode Island had the ability to produce 1 Megawatt of wind power. We can now produce 9. While we can't reverse the environmental degradation that has already occurred, changes like this are a small step in the right direction and lay an important foundation for policy decisions based on sustainable growth.
THIS FRIDAY September 16, 2016 come eat, drink, and play with us as we reflect on the past and look toward the future to celebrate PARK(ing) Day 2016! We'll be at 201 Westminster Street from 8am-5pm! Take a walk around the city and check out all the amazing pop-up parks brought to you by your favorite local designers and artists - including the debut of RISD's brand new student chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects at 63 Washington Street.
If you want to learn more about the history of the fight against climate change, check out this interactive timeline of the progress made created by the United Nation's Framework Convention on Climate Change: unfccc.int/timeline
DesignWeek is an annual celebration hosted by DESIGNxRI spotlighting talent and innovation in the Rhode Island design community.
This year Searle Design Group's Taber Caton will be offering a can't-miss opportunity to tour the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center and learn how SDG's sustainable vision for the grounds of New England's largest indoor garden became a reality.
Learn more and register for this free Eat and Speak Luncheon event on September 22 at noon at 1000 Elmwood Avenue in Providence, RI.
As traffic continues to get more congested, Pawtucket is seeking out a sustainable solution. Its location near the Massachusetts border makes it a popular location for people who want to live in Rhode Island and commute to work or school in Boston. With a population of 71,000 it is the fourth largest city in Rhode Island. The closest train stations currently are South Attleboro Station located 3 miles to the north of Pawtucket city center and Providence station 5 miles to the south. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is hoping that the re-introduction of a commuter rail station in downtown Pawtucket will alleviate some of the vehicular traffic and encourage more sustainable, transit-oriented development. If you're interested in following the progress of this project visit: http://projects.vhb.com/pawtucketcommuterrail/default.asp
The Botanical Center Conservancy at Roger Williams Park organized the students from the Wheeler School to mulch and weed the gardens. Taber Jossi Caton from SDG and a (Wheeler Alumna Class of '94) worked with other volunteers and 90 students throughout the morning. We would like the thanks the Wheeler School for all their energetic efforts to help maintain the Botanical Center. Happy Founder's Day!
Just in time for the start of the school year. More photos to come on our Projects page.
