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Ecological solutions
for people and the planet.
OUR PURPOSE
We design and build landscapes and living spaces that deepen our connection to nature, create joy, and empower us to care for each other and the environment.
ECOLOGICAL DESIGN & BUILD
Our designs work in harmony with nature, using permaculture principles to create biodiverse, resilient, and abundant landscapes.
We build spaces that enhance the functionality and beauty of your home, community, or business while lowering your long-term costs and reducing your maintenance needs.
REGENERATIVE LAND MANAGEMENT
Our ecologically-informed approach to landscaping management focuses on building soil health, habitat regeneration, water conservation, natural pest and weed management, and best horticultural practices for plants and trees.
Part of our regenerative work includes converting lawns to meadowscapes, creating food forests, and edible landscapes.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We are passionate about helping people connect to the joy and beauty of nature through ecological stewardship.
Through our outreach programs, educational offerings, and partnerships, we demonstrate how ecological care is community care, and how together we can create a more connected, abundant, resilient, and beautiful world.
01
Edible Gardens &
Food Forests
Taking control of your own food production is a practice of self-care and environmental stewardship. From designing your garden spaces to building a self-sustaining food forest, we will guide you through the process.
02
Native Landscapes & Pollinator Gardens
By incorporating native plants into our landscape design, we are working with nature to enrich our soil's health, building resilient and abundant ecosystems that add beauty and value to our space while also reducing maintence costs and needs.
04
Water Management
Systems & Features
Water features, rain gardens, rainwater harvesting systems, and aquascapes ensure efficient and sustainable water use while adding tranquil beauty to spaces.
07
Garden Infrastructure & Hardscapes
A complete design requires built structures that complement the landscape- pathways, garden containers, water features, seating areas, and other functional and aesthetically pleasing hardscape elements.
05
Greenhouses
Grow your own food year-round. Grow plants that typically aren't available in your climate. Have a lush, green space to enjoy in the winter. We design and install traditional and passive solar greenhouses for all spaces and goals.
08
Outdoor Living Spaces
Our designs extend the comfort of your home by crafting custom functional outdoor living spaces that enhance both your lifestyle and the environment.
COMMON DESIGN ELEMENTS
Place-Based Solutions
Ecological Designs Tailored To Your Location & Needs
Urban Spaces
Maximize the beauty, productivity, and utility of your limited space, and help your local ecology - balcony gardens, raised beds, green roofs, and more. Click here for more sustainable design features for urban spaces.
Suburban Yards
Balancing our yards, currently dominated by turf grass with vegetable gardens, food forests, pollinator-friendly native plants, meadowscapes, greenhouses, and fucntional livings spaces, we can transform homes into thriving, productive, biodiverse ecosystems. Click here to read design elements for your space.
School Gardens
These spaces serve as living classrooms and communal hubs, fostering a sense of stewardship and collaboration among participants while promoting sustainable living practices, local food production, and ecological awareness. Here's an extensive list of practices tailored for school and community garden permaculture design:
Public Spaces
Community gardens, municpal spaces, empty lots and unused public areas are all fertile ground for creating native habitats that restore beauty, build biodiversity, and lower water resources needed for typical lawns. Click here for a list of practices for rural and large acreage settings.
Businesses
Taking an ecological approach to designing and retrofitting these spaces, will improve the value of your property, reduce costs, and improve the well-being and productivity of your staff. Click here for a list of common design elements.
DESIGN & BUILD PROCESS
01
Consult
We will clarify your goals and vision, define your budget, and review potential solutions. Remote or in-person.
02
Plan
We provide a full ecological site assessment that will uncover the unique characteristics of your space. We gather information on key elements such as soil composition and health, solar access, water access, and how your space influences and is influenced by the surrounding environment.
03
Design
Combining your vision with our ecological assessment, we develop a comprehensive design that uses regenerative practices and sustainable, low-maintenance, resilient systems for land use, water management, food production, and energy efficient living spaces.
04
Build & Install
RSD can build, install, and/or project manage all design components. Alternatively, we can create a clear and executable plan for the clients to DIY our design.
05
Maintain
We offer ongoing consultation, education, and maintenance services to ensure the longevity of our work and your happiness.
Latest Projects
Derby Drive
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Sunset Road
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South Haven Homestead
Portage Park
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