Regenerative Environmental Design is an ecological design consulting firm that strives to connect natural and built systems in mutually beneficial ways.   Using a creative and analytical approach, RED works closely with project teams to find sustainable design solutions that improve site performance and save time and money over the life of the project. RED focuses on the dynamic relationship between nature, people, and the built environment, and approaches each project as an opportunity to improve ecosystem function and benefit human health. 

services

  • regenerative systems design
  • ecological restoration
  • performance-based metrics
  • SITES consultant
  • ecologically literate landscaping

professional experience and current projects

The Campsite at Shield Ranch sustainability and SITES consultant.  The SITES Gold project serves as the new home for Camp El Ranchito, a scholarship-based nature overnight camp. The campsite is located on Shield Ranch, an ecologically diverse, 6,400-acre nationally designated historic district and protected woodland that comprises 10% of the Barton Creek watershed.  The campsite is 100% off-grid and is the first public water system approved by TCEQ that relies entirely on rain water.  

Ecological design consultant for the University of Texas Permian Basin Campus Master Plan. The 600-acre plan focuses on creating a strong sense of place and integrating nature into the campus experience.  The multi-disciplinary team worked to capture stormwater runoff from the campus and surrounding streets to create ephemeral playa lakes and arroyos, which in turn establish the native prairie ecosystem and enhance the local habitat.  

Landscape sustainability and SITES consultant for Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park.  Situated along the banks of Shoal Creek in downtown Austin, the 12-acre project revitalized the recreational heart and cultural soul of the Pease Park.  The historic renovation is a favorite destination for families, school groups, and outdoor enthusiasts. The park is the first City of Austin park to earn SITES Gold certification.

Functional Green policy team and contributing author.  Functional Green is a Biotope Area Factor planning tool specifically designed for Austin, Texas to enhance green infrastructure in the city.  The program uses the science of ecosystem services to inform the value of landscape elements specific to developed urban sites in Austin. Functional Green was developed with urban ecologists, economists, landscape architects, civil engineers, planners, and city staff.  The program is under consideration for future changes to the City of Austin landscape code. 

Environmental Designer for the Shield Ranch Master Plan.  The award winning plan embraces the Shield-Ayres-Bowen family vision, while functioning as a benchmark for sustainable development that navigates programmatic needs, family interests, and long-term stewardship goals of a beloved place. This master plan validates a multi-generational evolution of land stewardship and advocacy, and provides a significant opportunity to influence the future development of privately-owned lands throughout Texas and the American Southwest.

Landscape sustainability and SITES consultant for The Dell Medical District. The 16.2-acre development is located in central Austin on the University of Texas campus and is the first SITESv2 Gold project in Texas. The Medical District is a green oasis in a dense urban environment that provides environmental and human health benefits to students, educators, patients and the greater community.

Landscape sustainability and SITES consultant for Midtown Park,  a 3-acre greyfield redevelopment that is part of a larger renaissance in the City of Houston to reclaim and enliven vacant and public spaces.  The urban park features a performance pavilion, central lawn, marketplace, restaurants, art gardens, a dog park and social game courts. Bayou-inspired green infrastructure water features bring nature to the city and provide flood control.  Because the park is built over an underground garage, it functions similarly to an intensive green roof and special considerations were taken with soil profiles and vegetation that can be resilient in hurricane conditions.   Midtown Park was awarded SITES Silver and is the first SITES v2 project in Houston.  Since the start of construction, new private development projects around Midtown Park have generated an estimated $338 million in new taxable value.  

Landscape sustainability and SITES consultant for the Campus Transformation Project at the University of Texas at El Paso.  The 11.5 acre site strengthens the connection between the city and the campus by converting acres of sloping streets and parking into a beautiful, pedestrian-oriented green space that promotes outdoor learning and celebrates ephemeral stormwater.  The CTP is one of the first and largest green infrastructure projects in the El Paso region, and one of the few projects in the region that displays the diversity and beauty of low water use plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert.  The project was awarded SITES Silver and the first project certified under v2 of the SITES Rating System.


Facilitated and led the development of the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks, the nation's first green rating system for sustainable land design, construction and maintenance practices. 

Developed the Landscape for Life homeowner educational curriculum and supporting materials.  Working with the U.S. Botanic Garden and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Heather led trainer webinar series for participants across the United States and abroad.