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ABOUT AL...
From managing urban farms in South Carolina to designing ecological retirement communities in Massachusetts, Al has a wide spectrum of experience that informs her design principles, ethics, and style at Plan'td Ecological Design. Originally a permaculture designer, Al has a passion for incorporating edible and medicinal plants into her landscape designs. She is a native plant enthusiast, and her designs use an entirely southeast native plant palette with a sprinkling of non-native edible and medicinal plants that benefit and bring joy to her clients. Her deep-rooted passion for nature and the environment underlies her commitment to sustainable practices and dedication to creating landscapes that harmonize with the natural world. Al received her Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Science from University of South Carolina and her Masters Degree in Ecological Design from the Conway School. She has also completed her Permaculture Design Certification and a Permaculture Teacher Training to round out the technical and experiential components of her education.
Outside of the design studio, you can find Al digging in the dirt alongside her seasonal landscape crew or teaching Permaculture Design Courses in Costa Rica. When unplugged, Al enjoys growing and crafting herbal medicine, trying out a new recipe she's picked up along her travel adventures, camping and trail running in the mountains with her dog, studying depth psychology, or teaching yoga in the forest.
ECOLOGICAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES
CELEBRATE NATIVE PLANT HERITAGE
FLOW WITH WATERSHEDS
CULTIVATE SOIL HEALTH
FOSTER REGENERATION
EMBODY PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLES
NOURISH POLLINATOR HABITATS
CREATE WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
MINIMIZE CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
We embrace the rich biodiversity of the Southeast by prioritizing the use of native plant species in our designs. By selecting regionally appropriate plants, we create landscapes that are in harmony with the local ecosystem and support native wildlife and pollinators.
Our designs integrate water-conscious strategies tailored to the unique water dynamics of the site. We incorporate a contextual understanding of the local watershed to inform our designs that often include elements such as rainwater harvesting, native wetland plantings, and water-efficient irrigation systems to conserve water resources and protect the region's delicate aquatic ecosystems.
We prioritize soil health in our designs, recognizing the importance of the Southeast's diverse soil types. Through practices such as organic soil amendments, cover cropping, sheet mulching, and erosion control measures, we enhance soil fertility and structure, promoting thriving plant growth.
Our designs aspire to be regenerative, working towards the restoration and resilience of the local landscape. By incorporating regenerative practices, such as carbon sequestration, habitat restoration, and land stewardship, we actively contribute to the regeneration of Southeastern ecosystems.
Inspired by the Southeast's ecological patterns, we apply permaculture design principles to create landscapes that mimic the region's natural systems. By integrating elements like food forests, companion planting, and agroforestry techniques, we design productive and sustainable landscapes.
We prioritize creating abundant nectar sources for pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds. By selecting a diverse range of nectar-rich plants with specific bloom times, we ensure a year-round food source for these vital members of the ecosystem.
We design landscapes that provide shelter, food, and water sources for native wildlife species. By incorporating features such as bird houses, bat boxes, and native plantings, we support the preservation of the Southeast's unique wildlife diversity.
We prioritize organic and sustainable practices, minimizing the use of synthetic chemicals. Through natural pest management, soil building, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, we create landscapes that thrive while preserving the Southeast's fragile ecosystems.
LET'S GET SOCIAL
