Mary Praus

254 Davis Street | Greenfield, MA 01301 | (651) 983-2043 | marypraus@yahoo.com | And on LinkedIn

PortfolioPlanning and Design

Index Planning and Design

4 Low Impact Design Concept | Greenfield, MA 5 Mapping for Natural Resource Protection | Gill, MA 6-7 Site Suitability and Design | Bean and Allard Farms and the City of Northampton, MA 8-9 Streetscape Design and Revitalization Recommendations| West Rutland, VT 10-11 Residential Master Plan | Northfield, MA 12-15 Design Photographs | Sweet Earth, Inc., Twin Cities, MN

Images

16-17 Drawing18-21 Photography22-23 Painting

24-25 Resume

Unlesss otherwise noted, all photos, drawings and other graphics are the creation of Mary Praus.

Low

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Low Impact Development strategies minimize stormwater runoff on an urban site surrounded by impervious surfaces.

Site

Design Challenge:Transform a vacant back lot in an urban setting and currently used as a pedestrian short cut into an arena for civic gatherings including demonstration plots for Low Impact Design techniques.

Front

Rear (Project Site)

Concept developed in conjunction with a grant application

Skills Used: Site analysis (slopes, drainage, context, views, impervious surfaces) ArcGIS, Adobe Photoshop & InDesign, Drafting, MS Office

Demo Area #2Lawn Alternative

Meadow with Mowed Paths

Demo Area #2Rain Garden with Native Trees and Shrubs

Design Solution: • Provides outdoor classroom and

public gathering space• Offers shaded places for picnicking

and recreation• Processes stormwater on site• Screens undesirable views• Provides functional LID

demonstration plots

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GIS mapping helps identify potential priority areas for protection and reveals broader ecosystem-scale patterns.

The Connecticut River is one of Gill’s most vital natural resources and offers many values including opportunities for recreation, scenic views, habitat for wildlife, and hydro-power. Protecting this river corridor, which includes Core Habitat and Priority Habitats of Rare Species along the entire segment of river in Gill, requires an inclusive approach which acknowledges the challenges of sometimes competing interests.

OfficeofPlanningandDevelopmentNorthampton, MA | Winter 2010

DESIGN CHALLENGE: Analyze this 185-acre parcel of prime farmland within a regional context and assess the suitability of the site for three competing desired uses of agriculture, recreation and conser-vation. Develop sustainable design alter-natives which include all three elements while honoring community input and the site’s valuable natural resources.

DESIGN SOLUTION: Fourballfieldsaresited on the farm while the remaining are distributed throughout the city and re-gion, thus preserving a contiguous swath of prime farmland for just that, farming. This solution acknowledges the grow-ing demand for locally-raised food and the shrinking acreage of farmland while providing for recreational opportunities for the citizens of Northampton.

Skills Used: Public Presentations, ArcGIS, Adobe Photoshop &InDesign,MSOffice,BotanicalInventory,Photography,Drawing, Drafting

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GOALS: Preserve Farmland | Promote Recreation | Provide Habitat

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Final design created by Cooper, Praus and Snyder

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Buffer Bioswale

Bioswale

Parking Playing Fields RiparianBufferMill

RiverRiparian Buffer

100-Year Floodplain

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Habitats for animal and plant life do not conform to property boundaries nor city limits. As the city considered strategies for

acquiring more land for conservation, analysis of Priority Habitat, vernal pools, and other natural resources, separate from property lines revealed patterns throughout the region. The project site was shown to be in a critical location for linking preserved lands and protecting sensitive wildlife habitat.

The RiverIrrigatesFeedsFloodsCarriesDepositsErodesReplenishes

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Signs of beaver abound. The river offers habitat for mallard.

Riparian forest is a vital ecosystem.

What is important habitat for wildlife also supported hydropower.

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T H E G O A L : Modern West Rutland aims for revitalization. In 2009, the town took stock of its many assets, as well as its challenges, and created a new town plan. The plan states eco-nomic, cultural, historic, natural resources, and other goals. In April 2010, the town joined with the Carving Studio and Sculp-ture Center to hire Conway School of Landscape Design to create a streetscape for a half-mile of historic Marble Street from the Town Hall to the Carving Studio. Objectives for that plan are to:

• Enhance visual unity on the project site• Honor the town’s history• Improve pedestrian access • Create a gateway to the Carving Studio• Connect to the West Rutland Marsh• Incorporate sustainable solutions

The Town’s Assets:

Rich marsh ecosystem provides wildlife habitat and attracts birders worldwide.

Active artists’ involvement, particularly at the Carving Studio, attracting students and visitors.

The vast, undeveloped land on which the marsh lies invites il-legal dumping, polluting water and causing an eye-sore.

Invasive species issues, spe-cificallyPhragmitesaustralis,which is choking out native cattail marshes, creating monocultures.

The Town’s Challenges:

Notable history, especially in marble production, with pieces used in such famous monuments as the Jefferson Memorial.

A depressed economy and unmaintained building facades contribute to a less than wel-coming atmosphere on Marble Street.

Project Site

Natural Heritage Sites

Bird

Plant Dicot

Plant Monocot

Terrestrial

Marsh

Conserved Marsh

Conserved Land

Prime Agricultural Soil

Vermont Center for Geographic Information

Regional Ecology

TheWestRutlandMarshhasbeenidentifiedbyRutlandCountyAudubon Society as a birding hot spot, containing 147 species of birds, some rare or endangered. Vermont Fish and Wildlife DepartmenthasidentifiedthesameareaasaNaturalHeritageSite, containing rare plants, animals and natural communities. The Marsh is one of the town’s primary assets; one to be stew-arded and celebrated.

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T H E S O LU T I O N : West Rutland’s revitalization—on Marble Street and in the region—via three parallel tracks include:• Regionalappealandconnections through new bike and pedestrian

loops emphasizing history, nature and recreation, particularly around the environmentally important marsh.

• Site enhancement through the development of an interpretive art walk with wayfinding markers, sculpture competitions and a new visi-tor pavilion modeled on the historic train depot.

• Infrastructure improvements including vegetated swales and trees for stormwater management and beauty, narrowed street and widened pedestrian areas to encourage walking and retail, and a Carving Stu-dio gateway to enhance visual connections.

Vegetated swales and treesfilterstormwater

Off-street parking for less vehicle-centric street

Expanded town green invites community gatherings

Marble Street

TownHall

The least bittern has been identifiedbytheAudubonSociety as a threatened species.

Seen in the West Rutland Marsh, the spotted turtle is on the endangered species list.

A reliable visitor to the West Rutland Marsh, the red-winged black bird feeds and nests there.

STEP ONE: Protect and steward the greatest assets.

Skills Used:PublicPresentations,ArcGIS,AdobePhotoshop&InDesign,MSOffice,BotanicalInventory,GoogleDocs,HandRendering,Photography

Residential Master PlanNorthfield,MA|Autumn2009

The goals for historic Main Street property were rooted in honoring history and making the property more sustainable and efficient.The design reflects the style of the colonialhouse and neighborhood and honor the fam-ily’straditions.Somespecificgoalsincluded:

• Designing ADA-accessible walks and gar-den beds with increased food production

• Increasing native plantings and decreasing lawn

• Improving the entry experience and ac-commodating guest parking while screen-ing parking from entertainment areas

• Augmenting storage and workshop space

The PREFERRED PLAN creates abeautifulandefficientoutsidelivingspace,incorporating a private brick patio and new sunroom. Wildlife habitat is increased with na-tive vegetation and a large recreation area for the children is included. With a new garage in place, the former garage houses a workshop.

Skills Used:Vectorworks,Surveying&BotanicalInventory,AdobePhotoshop&InDesign,MSOffice,Hand-Drawing

NorthfieldProject:PreferredDesign

HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS

Recordsofthetown’sgracefulMainStreetinspiredesignfirmlyrootedinplaceandtime.10

Historic photos courtesy of Northfield Historical Society

NorthfieldProject:Analysis

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• Impactsoftrafficandopenviewspointedtoneedforsheltered,privatespaces.• Constraints of zoning in front of property pushed gathering areas to back yard.• Existence of wetlands inspired more native plantings and reduction of lawn.• Need for privacy and increased workshop space led to placement of new garage.

Native Plants for the Wet Meadow:

Spirea tomentosa Caltha palustris Asclepias syriaca Onoclea sensibilis Osmunda regalis

These moisture-tolerant native plants provide opportunities for forage, escape and nesting habitat for wildlife, while offering beauty and decreased time on the lawn mower for the home owners.

Zoning

Circulation

Drainage Summary

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This historic inn is graced with mature maples, peonies and ground cover, but lacked a cohesive theme and held little appeal to passersby. Care was taken to salvage and relocate plants where appropriate and to introduce species appropriate for the semi-shaded,high-pedestrian-trafficconditionsofthe property. Special attention was paid to placing plants with interesting texture close to guest seating and path areas. Upright arborvitae and yews were utilized to provide the gardens a backbone and for winter interest. Lenox, MA 2007

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An existing family hide-away on a wet, full-sun slope is planted with moisture-tolerant black hills spruce, willow and Joe-pye weed. Woodbury, MN 2007

A hot and dry hillside rock garden entry features drought-tolerant perennial geranium, herbs, shrub roses and low-growing junipers. Stillwater, MN 2008

Sandy soil and a western exposure withviewsofadjacenthayfields,is planted with Siberian iris, grasses and an ornamental blue spruce. Prescott, WI 2007

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My depth of knowledge of plant characteristics and habitats is one of the key design factors for succesful and sustainable landscapes.

Heat and salt-tolerant plantings on sidewalk boulevard. Hastings, MN 2007

Mediterranean-style edible plantings in hot, sandy lakefront location. Stillwater, MN 2005

Low-maintenance, high-impact entrance gardens. Hastings, MN 2008

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Wedding garden for country club features tree lilacs and evergreens for winter interest. Red Wing, MN 2004

Countrycottageandhomeofficegardenshowcases old-fashioned perennials, roses and ornamental trees. Afton, MN 2009

Boulevardplantingwithheavysaltanddryconditionsprovidesbutterflyandinsectary. Hastings, MN 2004

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Even where highly ornamental gardens are desired by my client, I select plants that are both attractive and resilient.

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Capturing an image through drawing brings with it a complete memory of the place; the humidity in the air, the smell of the soil, the sound of the river lapping at the shore.

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WhitneyWaterPurificationFacility,NewHaven,CT

SchellBridge,Northfield,MA

RocheMoutonees,Greenfield,MA

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Sketching clears the mind of assumptions and premature conclusions, making room for acute observations.

Route10Bridge,Northfield,MA

GreenfieldCommunityCollege,Greenfield,MA

ViewfromPoet’sSeat,Greenfield,MA

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I look for patterns in the natural world for design inspiration.

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BoundaryWaters,MN Cambridge, MN

Southern Vermont

I believe humans possess a natural affinity for shapes and textures found in the natural world.

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Red maple Hubbard squash Daylily

Calycanthusfloridus Datura Jack-in-the-Pulpit

I am inspired by movement and repetition in nature and apply these properties to my landscape design concepts.

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Montague, MA Putney, VT

TorreyPinesBeach,SanDiego,CA

I seek out naturally occurring shapes and translate them into built environments.

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TorreyPinesBeach,SanDiego,CATorreyPinesBeach,SanDiego,CA

Volcanoes National Park, Hilo, HI

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Watercolor painting allows me to express imagesinafluidandfreemanner,whetherin capturing a moving, breathing beast...

...or depicting a more formal botanical drawing.

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Career Summary Master of landscape design and planning with substantial experience as a project manager, focused on ecologically and socially viable design solutions. Excellent communicator with command of oral, written and graphic presentations. At ease managing multiple projects requiring deep thinking and creative results. Committed to ethical thoughts and actions.

EducationMaster of Arts in Sustainable Landscape Design | Conway School of Landscape Design | 2010 Bachelor of Music Performance with Honors | University of Massachusetts Amherst | 1988

Planning and Design ExperienceLand Use Planner |FranklinRegionalCouncilofGovernments|Greenfield,MA|2010-PresentPlanning work includes a focus on natural resource analysis, local and regional hazard mitigation planning, master planning, and open space and recreation planning. Position requires ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to work with many different municipalities and individuals. Current projects include planning for a regional plan for sustainable development, a scenic byway corridor management, several local hazard mitigation plans, and master planning for natural resources. Primary skills used include research, writing, graphics, mapping, and project management. Additional planning interests and research include climate change and food systems planning.

Landscape Design and Horticultural Services | Sweet Earth, Inc | St. Paul, MN | 2000–2009Owned and operated a landscape design company, focused on planning and overseeing projects in sustainable landscape design and installation, native plantings, invasive species control and expert horticultural knowledge. Created design alternatives and planting plans and performed chemical-free maintenance for residential and commercial lands. Oversaw financial administration and budget. Hired, trained and motivated employees. Created all advertising materials. Compiled and maintained prospective client database and gained new clients through cold calling and referrals.

Streetscape Master Plan | West Rutland, VT | CSLD Project | West Rutland Town Planner and Carving Studio and Sculpture Center | Spring 2010Design solution included improving town’s regional appeal and connections through new bike and pedestrian loops emphasizing history, nature, and recreation. As part of a two-person team, created a sustainable streetscape plan including bioswales, traffic calming and wayfinding elements to encourage increased tourism and to manage stormwater runoff. Project information gathering included a public survey, extensive site analysis and research into tourism, history, and hydrology. Primary project responsibilities included streetscape design development, design hand rendering, and final report format and graphics.

Site Suitability and Design | CSLD Project | City of Northampton, MA Planning Department | Winter 2010As part of a three-person team, conducted site and regional analysis, facilitated public forum sessions, and attended meetings with the city council task force. Challenges including determining the best use for 180 acres of prime farmland, much of which is located within a ten-year floodplain. The sustainable design solution included conserving prime farmland and minimizing impact on flood-plain lands while identifying more feasible locations for recreational fields. Primary project responsibilities included client and stake-holder communication, meeting facilitation and public presentations, all ArcGIS mapping and final report design and layout.

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Residential Master Plan |CSLDProject|Northfield,MA|Fall2009Surveyed and mapped a 1-acre historic residential property which included constraints such as state right-of-ways, histor-ic designations, and wetlands protection areas. The preferred landscape plan improved the entry experience and accom-modated ADA access while enhancing wetland areas and addressing stormwater runoff. Primary responsibilities included client meetings, historical and wetland research, plan set creation, public presentations and graphic design. Additional

Professional ExperienceProgram Administrator and Website Manager | HMH of St. Paul, MN | Winters 2000-2008Designed registration websites, wrote proposals, and created brochures and destination information for incentive travel. Maintained client databases and surveys. Compiled and managed prospective client database. Skilled in MS Office, proof-ing and graphics.

Associate Project Manager | Keene, Inc | Minneapolis, MN | 1997-1999Managed project flow, scheduling, and employee reporting for IT projects. Served as trusted client contact and as liaison between consultants and company. Consulted primarily at Gateway Computers.

Software KnowledgeAdobe CS4 (InDesign and Photoshop) | Pagemaker | ArcGIS | AutoCAD Google SketchUp MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Presentation, Access)

Additional Skills • Ability to envision the big picture and the long term• Ease in interacting with new people and unfamiliar situations• Strength in teaching and motivating others• Strong problem-solving skills• Flair for drawing and painting• Facilityingraphicdesign,layout,andproofing

Ongoing EducationCitizen Planner Training Collaborative, APA MA, Natural Resource Protection Zoning, Zoning for Economic Development, March 2012Citizen Planner Training Collaborative, APA MA, CLURPA, March 2011 Land Trust Governance, Land Trust Alliance, Summer 2010Botanical Inventory,NewEnglandWildflowerSociety,Summer2009

AffiliationsMember, Mount Grace Conservation Land TrustMember, Franklin Land Trust, Inc.

254 Davis Street | Greenfield, MA 01301 | (651) 983-2043 | marypraus@yahoo.com | And on LinkedIn