Kristin Thomas South Hadley, MA • thomas10@csld.edu • (413) 335-2383
Education Conway School of Landscape Design Conway, Massachusetts June 2010 M.A.L.D. (Masters in Sustainable Landscape Planning and Design) • Relevant Classes: Landscape Ecology, Site Engineering and Hand Graphics, and Graphic Design. • Design theory and learned skills are applied to real projects including a residential landscape design, a regional public planning project and a master plan project.
The University of Vermont Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Burlington, Vermont May 2006 Bachelor of Science in Private Outdoor Recreation Management Concentration in Sustainable Landscape Design and Horticulture • G.P.A.: 3.66 • Relevant Classes: Landscape Design, Sketching and Illustration, Design Strategies, Park and Recreation Design, Community Design and Planning, Natural History and Field Ecology, Ecosystem Management.
Landscape Design and Land Use Planning Experience Freelance Landscape Designer Various Design Projects in Western MA, CT, NH & VT • Drafted comprehensive site designs and planting plans for residential and commercial properties. • Designed and implemented edible, perennial, and native gardens. • Consulted with clients on design and implementation alternatives. • Mapped, measured, inventoried and photographed sites. • Developed multiple design solutions for site renovations. • Selected site-appropriate plant material and installed designs. • Executed seasonal maintenance for established landscapes. • Collaborated with other site contractors to ensure an accurate end product.
Associate Planner
June 2006-Present
Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency, Bristol, CT November 2010-Present • Project Manager, Food Systems Planning: Led project team to develop a plan identifying neighborhoods with poor access to healthy foods. Collected and analyzed data, held public forums, and developed individual and community solutions to improve access. Drafted and designed final plan. • Project Manager, Forestville Community Design Project: Developed project concept for a village revitalization plan. Organized design team including University of CT LA faculty and graduate students Oversaw and participated in data collection and analysis. Led public participation forums, wrote project contracts and proposals, and contributed to creation of final land use plan. • Land Use Planning: Analyzed zoning regulation amendments from neighboring municipalities in light of the Regional Plan of Conservation and Development. Ensured that proposed changes would encourage sustainable development. Wrote staff reports recommending the acceptance or rejection of said amendments.
Campground Site Design and Management Plan Tully Lake Campground, The Trustees of Reservations, Royalston, MA Conway School Spring 2010 • As part of a three-person team, analyzed site conditions at two scales: Broad scale analysis of the whole campground including shoreline erosion, declining forest health, and trail overuse. Fine scale analysis of the campground common area including solar aspect, drainage, and legal restrictions. • Determined solutions for numerous facility issues including an overcrowded ranger station, insufficient ranger work and storage space, and limited parking. • Identified opportunities for sustainable management practices including alternative energy and composting toilets.
Main Street Revitalization Plan Downtown Revitalization Committee, Hopkinton, MA Conway School Winter 2010 • As part of a three-person team, conducted site research and analysis and mapped GIS data. • Held public meetings. • Researched aspects of revitalization, including economic development, sustainability standards and stormwater management. • Developed a two-phase schematic revitalization plan for the 0.7-mile stretch of Main Street in the downtown, increasing pedestrian safety, improving aesthetics and vehicular movement, and creating opportunities for social interactions and community building. • Created a series of design guidelines for topics including economic development, pedestrian and vehicular movement, infrastructure, aesthetics, social spaces and sustainability. • Developed a timeline of implementation for the revitalization plan.
Residential Site Plan Shelburne Falls, MA Conway School Fall 2009 • Surveyed and mapped a 0.25-acre historic site. • Analyzed such factors as sun/shade, vegetation, views, drainage, and access and circulation. • Presented landscape designs to clients. • Developed a site plan that increases privacy and outdoor living spaces, improves drainage and circulation throughout the property, and highlights and builds upon existing historic plantings. • Created a driveway grading plan, a materials palette using locally sourced products, and a comprehensive planting plan.
Landscape Installation and Field Experience Nursery Supervisor and Assistant
Gardeners Supply Company, Burlington, VT April 2007 –August 2009 • Responded to and addressed customer complaints. • Balanced constantly shifting priorities, including staff needs, plant care and customer requests. • Interviewed, hired and scheduled a team of 6 seasonal employees, working within a set seasonal employment budget. • As staff horticulturalist, prescribed organic treatments for pest and disease issues among nursery stock and for customer inquires. • Built seasonal and weekly orders for all plant material, including annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs and tropicals. • Oversaw receiving of plant material, handling of claims and follow-through on special orders. • Designed seasonal layout of nursery and merchandising of nursery stock, including rotating weekly vignettes. • Developed curriculums for and taught numerous seminars, including Introductory Principles to Landscape Design.
Landscape Designer/Installer
Shepherd Landscape & Design, Inc., Otis, MA Seasonal 2002 - 2006, 2010 • Planned and implemented various landscape designs. • Installed and maintained lawns, driveways and annual plantings. • Entrusted with increasing responsibility over four years from intern to full-time position, including overseeing the installation of plantings. • Crafted basic stone walls and walkways. • Executed seasonal maintenance for established landscapes.
Software Knowledge • • • • • •
Adobe CS4 (Photoshop, InDesign and introductory knowledge of Illustrator) Introductory knowledge of AutoCAD 2011 ArcGIS Google Docs Microsoft Office Introductory knowledge of Google SketchUp 7
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