Designing Biodiversity Through Landscape Interactions: Applied Science at Varied Scales - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/HSW)

Recorded On: 10/10/2025

While biodiversity is a goal for many landscape architects, few projects use science to document the impacts of designed landscapes on ecosystems or species. Featuring case studies from various countries and regions, this session will present diverse approaches to understanding how landscape interactions influence the biodiversity of sites and communities, aligned with the SITES v2 framework.

Learning objectives:

Gain insight into SITES v2-aligned strategies for creating, restoring, and enhancing biodiversity through design across various settings and scales.
Understand the ecological role of plant selection in supporting native species and habitat functionality, as emphasized in the Optimize biomass and Conserve and use native plant credits.
Investigate ways to incorporate measurable biodiversity criteria in the design process.
Examine metrics to evaluate pre- and post-construction project performance in attaining biodiversity goals.

Sohyun Park, ASLA, PhD

Associate Professor

University of Connecticut

Sohyun Park is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut. She is the recipient of ASLA’s inaugural Research Grant in Biodiversity and served as the first ASLA delegate to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP 16. Dr. Park leads several international working groups, including the newly launched IFLA Working Programme on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity and APRU SCL’s Urban Landscape Biodiversity Working Group. Dr. Park holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning from Arizona State University, a Master’s in Landscape Architecture, and a B.S. in Biology from Korea.

Jim Cooper, ASLA, PLA, PWS

Principal Landscape Architect

Biohabitats

Jim is a Principal Landscape Architect with 24 years of experience in ecological resource restoration and green infrastructure design. He has served as the lead designer and project manager for a diverse array of projects within a broad range of physiographic regions and land use contexts. Jim is especially interested in how design can enhance and restore ecological function in a manner that harmonizes with sustainable human use to increase society’s awareness and appreciation of critical natural assets.

Evan Abramson, Affil. ASLA

Principal

Landscape Interactions

Evan Abramson grew up amongst the museums and parks of New York City, where early exposure to ancient art, cultures, animals and plants left lasting impressions upon his abilities to create and organize images, color, light and form. Drawing on his experience as a regional planner, landscape designer, farmer, community organizer, filmmaker and photojournalist, Evan designs landscapes and corridors that build biodiversity and resilience to a changing climate at the ecosystems level. As Founder and Principal of Landscape Interactions he works closely with project partners along every step of the process, from conception through design, implementation, maintenance and data collection.