For over forty years I have explored the connection between people and landscape through both land management and academic research. Serving as Chief of Interpretive Services, Administrator, Office of the Director and Assistant Director of the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry from 1983 to 2012 offered practical experience in an array of land management issues. After teaching courses in biology, evolution and environmental science for ten years at Upsala College, I joined the faculty at Rutgers The State University part time in 1994, and full time in 2012. My current appointment as Associate Professor of Professional Practice and the Director of the Environmental Planning and Design program within the Department of Landscape Architecture consists of working with academic administrators, academic advising, administrative staff and faculty to ensure the continued development and delivery of a cutting edge program.

With over 50 publications in both scientific journals and venues of general interests’, on topics ranging from phytostabilization of contaminated soils to the ethics of ecosystem function monetization, I strongly believe in the value of written communication. In addition, I have presented hundreds of lectures at conferences and meetings both nationally and internationally.

We live in a participatory democracy.

“The oldest task in human history is to live on a piece of land withhout spoiling it.”  Aldo Leopold

CV        Personal Statement

Associate Professor of Professional Practice (2017- ), Director Environmental Planning and Design Program, (2013-present), Assistant Professor of Professional Practice (2015-2016); Lecturer (2013-2014), Rutgers the State University, Department of Landscape Architecture. Member of the Graduate Faculty for the Department of Landscape Architecture, Department of Ecology Evolution and Natural Resources and the Federated Department of Biological Sciences at Rutgers. Responsible for the establishment of an innovative, forward-looking undergraduate program in environmental planning, with emphases on ecological systems, open space and green infrastructure. Course work includes Praxis Studios as well as Issues in Environmental/Ecological Planning. Research focuses on novel vegetative assemblage development and function under conditions of soil metal induced stress.

"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise." Aldo Leopold

As past president of New Jersey’s Alliance for Environmental Education, past chair of the Governor’s Commission on Environmental Education, and past co-chair of the American Forest Foundation Board of Trustee’s Project Learning Tree Operating Committee, I have developed a deep commitment to the tenants of the Belgrade Charter. Developed in 1972 by United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization Committee. The charter states the goal of environmental education “is to develop a world population that is aware of, and concerned about, the environment and its associated problems, and which has the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivations, and commitment to work individually and collectively toward solutions of current problems and the prevention of new ones”. If this goal is to be achieved, it will happen by investing in one student at a time.

“Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds, do not overload them. Put there just a spark.”  Anatole France

Photo  Credit -  Mike Peters