News

Stephen Cushing (Class of ’06)

By Emma Geldart

Strolling through a park or garden, have you ever noticed how perfectly placed the trees and plants seem to be? You may not be aware, but this seemingly effortless placement of plant life is not always just a coincidence.

Stephen Cushing

Thanks to the work of landscape architects like Stephen Cushing, there is actually a strategy behind the design of many gardens that can have a positive impact on the quality of living in the area.   

Since he was a teenager, Stephen knew that landscape architecture was what he wanted to do. Growing up in Dartmouth, NS Stephen attended the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (now Dalhousie Agricultural Campus) and completed a Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Horticulture (Class of ’06). After completing his undergraduate degree, Stephen pursued a master’s degree in landscape architecture at the University of Guelph in Ontario. Currently, Stephen is finishing another master’s degree in Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University.  

“My decision to study landscape architecture was one of the best things I could have done,” Stephen explains. “I have an interest in teaching and learning and a knack for working with my hands. Horticulture was of interest to me because it combined these two things. There are only a handful of schools in Canada to complete a landscape architecture degree and the University of Guelph stood out to me as a solid school with respected faculty.”

Landscape architecture is somewhat difficult to define. Essentially, it is a design-based profession that focuses on the design of outdoor environments. It combines a number of different aspects including botany, horticulture, architecture, design and earth sciences to name a few. The multi-disciplinary profession has multiple routes for graduates including entrepreneurship, private firms, different levels of government, public engagement and facilitation and academia. While some graduates prefer to create unique, comfortable and beautiful places for people while others are interested in protecting and managing the landscape for the sake of the environment.

“Different directions, but both very important,” Stephen explains.

For Stephen, the entrepreneurship route was the path he chose. He and his business partner have a landscape architectural consulting company called Urban Perspectives. Based out of Halifax, Urban Perspectives works on park planning, urban forest planning, storm water management, cycling infrastructure, residential landscape design and urban development applications.

In addition to his business, Stephen works as the Communications/Natural Environment Officer in the Office of Sustainability at Dalhousie University. As communications officer, Stephen handles communication initiatives and shares office projects with the online and campus community. He began working in the Office of Sustainability in 2011 working on the campus tree inventory and then the campus natural environment plan. The campus natural environment plan guides the management of landscapes on campus. He designed and helped install two new rain gardens on campus to handle storm water run-off from paved surface. Stephen also played a major role in implementing a diameter-tree replacement guideline within the campus natural environment plan.

“The diameter tree replacement guideline means that if a tree is cut down on campus, it must be replaced with a tree(s) that has a diameter equal to the tree removed,” Stephen explains. “In the case of one building on campus, it meant the replacement of 200 trees. So pretty substantial additions to the landscape.”

Stephen has been recognized by a few different organizations for his dedication in environmental sustainability. In 2014, Stephen was awarded the 2014 Fusion Halifax Sustainability Award for championing environmental issues in the city. He was involved in a number of urban greening projects for which he was nominated.

“I’m pretty pleased that it’s raised the profile of urban forest and community projects in the city,” Stephen explains.

In 2012, Stephen also received an award from Tree Canada. Tree Canada is a non-profit organization that works on greening projects across the country. He was the recipient of the 2012 Craig Huff Urban Forest Memorial Bursary. The award funded travel and registration to the 2012 conference in London, Ontario.

Having travelled to Ontario to complete his degree in landscape architecture, Stephen often wishes that a similar program were available in Atlantic Canada for students interested in the field.

His wish has recently been granted.

Dalhousie Agricultural Campus announced in January that it will now be offering the landscape architecture program, one of only five other schools in Canada that offer this undergraduate program.

“I’m really excited for this new program!” Stephen explains. “For the first time, students can study landscape architecture in Atlantic Canada. The program will be similar to the other landscape architecture programs in the kinds of studies that will be offered, but I think this new program at the AC will have its own identity, as it should. We have unique natural environments, cultural landscapes, resources and industry that faculty and students can explore in design studies.”

Stephen’s excitement over the new program is contagious. His passion for designing outdoor environments combined with his passion for teaching and learning will enable Stephen to act as an advocate for the new program. Not only will the students benefit from the new program, there is potential for the campus and community to benefit as well. Stephen looks forward to working with students if the opportunity arises to collaborate, teach and share his love for designing beautiful spaces.

It’s no secret that landscape architecture is hard work. Stephen doesn’t consider it work. It’s his lifestyle, his passion. It is sometimes assumed that the plant life in parks and gardens are placed naturally or are placed simply for looks. The secret is out, the beauty of your local parks and gardens are not always at the discretion of Mother Nature. Landscape architects such as Stephen play a major role in helping to sustain the environment and give community members a place to relax, unwind and enjoy some time in the beauty of the outdoors. So next time you’re out for a walk in the park, take a minute to stop, look around at the landscape and notice the strategy behind the beauty.