Firm

With a dual background in environmental science and landscape architecture, Jonathan believes that we share a responsibility to heal the ecology of landscapes as part of the design process. He is especially motivated by finding a harmony between conservation and other project objectives. At Nelson Byrd Woltz, Jonathan assesses baseline ecological conditions, informs the selection and siting of project elements, and designs stewardship practices. His main area of practice is conservation agriculture. This involves identifying natural resources to protect and adopting regenerative agricultural practices.

Before joining NBW in 2024, Jonathan received a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from Penn State University, where he was recognized as the program’s graduate Olmsted Scholar. For his capstone project, Jonathan designed and conducted a quantitative vegetation survey at 20 reforestation sites in Maryland, evaluating their long-term performance using the metrics of tree survival, native plant diversity, invasive plant cover, and vertical structure. He also holds a Master of Environmental Science and Management degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, specializing in conservation planning.

Jonathan applied this academic experience as an intern at Living Habitats LLC, assisting the design of native habitats at the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in southern California. Prior to becoming a landscape architect, he worked for more than 8 years as an environmental planner. Aside from leading a wide range of park, trail, and open space projects, Jonathan developed expertise analyzing the visual effects of projects like California High-Speed Rail and mitigating their impacts. In addition, he has significant experience collaborating with diverse communities to inform the design process.