Noted Presenters

Our forums have featured a rich spectrum of influential designers, scientists, and others doing critical work.

Design greats like A.E. Bye, Carol Franklin, Ian McHarg, Darrel Morrison, Leslie Sauer, Thomas Woltz and Jim Van Sweden have all spoken, as have noted practitioners Edward Blake, Jr., Cole Burrell, Kurt Culbertson, Alexander Felson, W. Gary Smith, and Nigel Dunnett and James Hitchmough.

NDAL has blazed trails by providing the design community with introductions to important scientific research. Steven Handel, Jean Marie Hartman, Tom Wessels, Gerould Wilhelm as well as biologist Charles Davis, paleoecologist Tom Webb, and ecologists Scott Meiners, William Niering, Emily Russell, and Eric Sanderson have all presented, often in sessions expressly modeling the integration of science and design.

NDAL also weaves the teachings of landscape history and work toward socio-ecological justice into its programming. Abra Lee has spoken about the history of African American landscapes; Kofi Boone has presented on enhanced community engagement and design; Mickey Fearn has spoken on outreach and communications to underrepresented groups in parks, recreation and conservation; and landscape historians like Charles Birnbaum and Elizabeth Barlow Rogers have presented on the importance of place-based knowledge.

“Thank you for filling that huge vacuum that has existed for years between landscape design and ecological restoration,” noted one attendee.

Pictured above: Stacy Levy, Darrel Morrison (with Larry Weaner), Carol Franklin, Christine Cook, Jan McFarlan, Doug Tallamy, Dick Lighty, Bill Niering, Frank Egler, Arthur Joura, Fritz Steiner, Ian McHarg, Diana Fernandez, Milton Fearn, Piet Oudolf, Ujijji Davis Williams, Clan Mother Shelley DePaul, Maisie Hughes, Daniela Shebitz, and Gerould Wilhelm.

Other past notable speakers include:

  • Kofi Boone (associate professor of landscape architecture)

  • William Cullina (horticulturist and author)

  • Rick Darke (author and photographer)

  • Neil Diboll (nurseryman and meadow specialist)

  • Ken Druse (horticulturist and author)

  • Robert Grese (landscape architect and author)

  • Eric Groft (landscape architect)

  • John Kartesz (botanist)

  • Abra Lee (horticulturist, arborist, historian, and business owner)

  • Stacy Levy (artist)

  • Douglas Reed (landscape architect)

  • Ann Rhoads (botanist)

  • Sara Stein (author)

  • James van Sweden (landscape architect and author)