Bringing Nature into the Heart of Darkness: Restorative Justice in the Garden - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/HSW)

Daniel Winterbottom, RLA, FASLA a landscape architect and Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Washington. In 1995 he developed a design/build program, that provide amenities, address social of ecological concerns, and provide therapeutic environments for those struggling with traumatic experiences and mental health issues. His awards include, ASLA Honor Award for Community Service 2007, 2011 and 2013, the EDRA/Places Great Places Award, 2010 and was inducted as a Fellow in ASLA in 2011. His books include “Design-Build, Integrating Craft, Service,” and Healing Gardens, 2015.was released by Routledge, Spring 2020. As a 2023 LAF fellow he researched carceral environments.

David Komeiji is a dedicated volunteer and community leader with extensive experience in healthcare, public safety, and cultural initiatives. He holds a Master of Medical Science in Maternal and Child Health (MMSc, 1986) and a Physical Therapy Certificate (1980) from Emory University, as well as a BA in Zoology from the University of Hawaii, Manoa (1979). Currently serving as the Director of the Saga Goryu Ikebana North America Chapter since 2011, David promotes the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. His volunteer efforts at the Oregon State Penitentiary with the Asian Pacific Family Club span seven years, where he acts as a cultural liaison and supporter. David played a crucial role in providing a safe space for discussions and negotiations between the involved parties during the design, development, and building of the Memorial Healing Garden (MHG). This unique Japanese-style garden, dedicated in 2019, is the only one of its kind in a maximum-security penal facility and stands as a testament to the collaborative effort of adults in custody, community supporters, OSP/ODOC administration, and the Oregon Department of Justice. Additionally, David volunteers with the Oregon Phoenix Foundation, serving as Treasurer since 2021, where he supports incarcerated individuals. His previous roles include volunteer work with the Village Coalition, a houseless advocacy organization, where he contributed to data gathering and analysis to humanize houseless communities in Portland.

Thomas Charney is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan’s MLA program (2020-2023). With a background in Botany and Japanese studies from his undergraduate at Michigan State University and an interest in Environmental Psychology, he pursued an MLA with these three disciplines in mind. This journey led him to better understand the landscapes of Southeast Michigan to which he was familiar, as well as the more distant landscapes of Oregon and Hokkaido, Japan. Maintaining the course of his studies, he hopes to continue contributing to landscapes that elevate ecosystem services as well as human well-being.