As a child, some of my favorite memories were spent trailing behind my dad as he mowed the lawn. I’d gather the clippings and arrange them into shapes in the grass, once even forming a rabbit for Easter. I also spent countless hours shaping and carving forms in our sandbox—which felt enormous at the time. My sister and I would flood our creations, fascinated by how they shifted and evolved.
Over time, that early curiosity grew into a deeper appreciation for the way people shape the land. I began to recognize how thoughtfully designed spaces support connection, memory, and well-being—for families, for communities, and for everyday life. Finding a profession devoted to creating these places felt like a natural extension of those early experiences, and one that continues to feel meaningful.