From landscape architecture to conservation agriculture | Thomas Woltz | TEDxCharlottesville

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Landscape Design

Thomas Woltz is the principal and owner of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects (NBW) with offices in New York City, Charlottesville VA, and San Francisco CA. During the past 19 years of practice, Woltz and his staff have forged a body of work that integrates the beauty and function of built form and craftsmanship with an understanding of complex biological systems and restoration ecology yielding hundreds of acres of reconstructed wetlands, reforested land, native meadows, and flourishing wildlife habitat. Currently NBW is entrusted with the design of 8 major public parks across the US, Canada and New Zealand. The firm’s work has been recognized with over 80 national and international awards and published widely.
In 2011, Thomas Woltz was invested into the American Society of Landscape Architects Council of Fellows, among the highest honors achieved in the profession, and in 2013, named Design Innovator of the Year by the Wall Street Journal Magazine.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[jonathanknight]

Thomas Woltz is the landscape architect every landscape architect wants to be. He is just the coolest, most humble, down-to-earth dude you'll ever meet and his oration skills are wonderful.

[modelleg]

It should be abundantly clear that we can make the Earth into a Garden of Eden using Science, Art and Humanity.

[arniepanlaqui]

"This is where landscape architecture stands, at the intersection of civil engineering, horticulture, conservation biology and agriculture."

[newsviewstoday]

I wept with joy & relief when I saw this, We are either a part of the solution or we are a part of the problem. What an inspirational project & group of innovative tuned in brilliant people. Wow. Just awesome. sniff sniff shed a tear. What heights humanity "could" soar to if collectively & individually we would try.

[jomariroxas]

Another Inspiration for me as A Landscape Architecture Student. 😊💜

[clayspace]

Thomas did an extended version of this talk at our state chapter's ASLA Annual Conference and it was a huge success. Great talk, Landscape Architect and work!

[jellainedelcampo]

Wow, watching this made me teary eyed. What a beautiful and respectful project!

[ckmy]

Such an inspirational talk, especially with the majority's misconception of what landscape architecture is !

[shopkedai]

Million thanks to the land owner/owners who are prepared to give back what nature had given him, his life on this beautiful earth..

[sanjeevkulkarni]

This talk should not have ended at all ! Simply GREAT. You have made more human. Thank you.

[ChaiLatte]

This is Permaculture on another level 👌🌳🌷💚

[javierpacheco]

This is amazing. There are good people in this world and this actually made my day. Thank you for doing this.

[syedalishanzaidi]

One of the best Ted talks I have ever listened to.

[aliasifchowdhury]

I am breathless and astounded at the sheer wonder of the contents of this video....in the environmental crisis one important aspect is land management to address environmental health....at last i have found a sector that can really do something about climate change and environmental health..here is a sector where people from multiple diverse disciplines, many of which are considered to have no job prospects, can not only find jobs but also contribute to helping the environment thus this sector(landscape architecture)has multiple potential benefits both human and environmental... many thanks to TED and this speaker

[Bpt]

Yes! Yes, yes, yes! I'm so glad I watched this.

[jejojose]

Some of those things that put a smile on your face without an effort.... Beautiful presentation too.

[trevorkerber]

This work is amazing. The combination of landscape architecture with civil engineering and conservation biology is so inspiring. The rebuilt island ecological system also reminded me of a much better done Jurassic Park

[TheVigilantStewards]

Probably in the top 5 ted talks I've ever heard. That was great. I want more Thomas Woltz

[ameliar]

Trying to figure out what career path I want to take and have been thinking about landscape architecture. The last quote... all areas that are highly interesting to me. Animals, agriculture, the history/culture in general of the region where you’re working, the diversity of projects you potentially can work on, getting to be outside a lot, the artistic aspect to it? A mesh pot of things I love!

[ahmadbenbelamuzakalzawawi]

Hats off!...how inspiring the job that they have done, how tremendous the role they have played to carry out the project to meet the objective successfully...
i was like...waw!...
it shows how effective a Landscape Architect could do in dealing with nature, with environment, with people, with other professionals and blend them together for the betterment of the earth.
#proudlandscapearchitect