Landscape Architecture

We are proud to announce the recipients of the Maryland ASLA 2026 Scholarship and Fellowship Awards!
Our students continue to demonstrate excellence, leadership, and a true passion for advancing the field of landscape architecture.

Please join us in congratulating Ellie, Eashana, Laura, and Artemis on this well‑deserved recognition. We can’t wait to see the impact they will continue to make in the landscape architecture community.
Congratulations!

Read more here https://www.marylandasla.org/post/mdasla-announces-2026-scholarship-fellowship-recipients?mc_cid=31a8f21bfc&mc_eid=2a8bcf6376

Today is !

Consider making a difference today!
Your donation to the Department of Plant Science and Landscape architecture support our students and research that make a difference.
We are deeply grateful for your generosity and continued support!

Follow the links, donate and invest in success of our future students.
👉 https://givingday.umd.edu/.../plant-science-and-landscape...
👉 https://givingday.umd.edu/campaigns/pomology-support-fund
👉 https://givingday.umd.edu/campaigns/agronomy-gift-fund
👉 https://givingday.umd.edu/.../gouin-undergraduate...

Never a dull moment at LARC!

Our Landscape Architecture students recently competed in the Edmund Bacon Student Competition and proudly secured Second Place.
Edmund Bacon Student Competition is an international competition that invites undergraduate and graduate students to reimagine specific urban sites in Philadelphia.

🥈Congratulations to Nicolas Drummond, Gabriel Eastwood, Mia Selby, and Andreas Windsor for this outstanding achievement.
Your exceptional performance reflects the strength of our program and the power of collaboration. Thank you for representing PSLA with excellence, and special appreciation to your instructors for their guidance and support.

We are proud of each one of you!

Welcome to our new Faculty members!

This semester we welcome two new faculty members to the department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.

Jonathan Gemmell received his Masters in Landscape Architecture(MLA ) from our department in 2015. Completing a thesis focused on nature play, nature education, and environmental literacy. His teaching approach centers on integrating his professional experience as practicing landscape Architecture into the classroom, using real-world projects to illustrate practical applications of site design. Jonathan has been a practicing Landscape Architect, Since graduating from UMD, and he looks forward to contributing to the institution that shaped his graduate education.

Samuel Olumide received his Bachelors and Masters in Science degree in Horticulture from the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Nigeria (as well as at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Nigeria) in 2011 and 2016, respectively. He received his PhD in W**d Science from the same university in 2020. Sam joined the University of Florida where he earned a second Ph.D. in Agronomy in 2024. This past year Sam has been a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Western Kansas Research Extension Center. His research and field of experience span a wide range of crop systems, including rice, pepper, okra, herbs such peppermint and basil, hem, cover crops such as rye, and wheat.

We are so glad to have you join us!

Please join us in welcoming our new faculty members.

Through the Solidarity Landscape Living Lab, Dr. Deni Ruggeri is leading an international effort to redefine landscapes as spaces of healing, inclusion, and ecological renewal. His work from global field engagement to hands‑on community collaboration cultivates a future where community care and environmental stewardship grow together.

Rooted in landscape democracy, the Living Lab brings students, faculty, and community partners together to rethink their relationship with the land through workshops, field research, and participatory design, generating meaningful change locally and abroad.

Working alongside Mary Christensen, Dr. Ruggeri unites academic and community perspectives to co‑create resilient environments that support both people and the planet.

Learn more at https://psla.umd.edu/news/university-marylands-solidarity-landscape-living-lab-envisions-future-where-community-care-and/

LARC student had the incredible opportunity to explore the beautifully designed landscape of the Glenstone Museum. Accompanied by Sherry Russell and guided by Trevor Garbow, Deputy Landscape Superintendent, they enjoy a walking tour through the thoughtfully designed grounds by Peter Walker and Partners gaining valuable insights into landscape architecture.

UMD landscape architecture students, guided by Professor Chris Ellis, use virtual reality to show how climate change could reshape Point Lookout State Park. Explore adaptive designs and future possibilities on Meta Quest TV.
https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2025/10/07/using-virtual-reality-students-help-visualize-climate-change-solutions-at-point-lookout-state-park/

Last week, Dr. Byoung-Suk and her incredible LARC students explored the city of Philadelphia during their field trip. The site visit experience brought engagement with local experts to discovering urban design innovations, the trip was packed with learning, inspiration, and connection. Offering meaningful conversations for the future of landscape architecture and community impact.

Learn more about our program at https://www.larch.umd.edu/

Photos speak!

It was a day of learning, designing, and reimagining temporary public spaces for landscape architecture students. The SASLA students participated in the national event of Park(ing) Day at Hornbake Plaza. It was fun to experience how thoughtful, sustainable design ideas can turn everyday spaces into livable opportunities.

Why are leaves dropping early this year? It’s not fall yet, it’s eco-dormancy. it's imposed by the environment.

Dr. Joe Sullivan explains that dry weather is triggering a stress response in trees, causing leaves to fall prematurely. This isn’t your typical autumn it’s nature hitting pause due to environmental pressure.
Moisture matters, wet weather builds strong, vibrant leaves. But once fall arrives, sunny days and cool, clear nights not rain are key to those brilliant reds and golds.
“It might not be the greatest year… but things can change,” says Dr. Sullivan.
Watch this following the link below.
https://www.wusa9.com/article/weather/weather-impact/garden-smart-fall-foliage/65-1f450416-7bef-4f54-b8a5-e762ad1ef1d9