Hello! My name is Izzy Wilde and I am a landscape designer and city planner currently located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My passions in design revolve around habitat restoration, species behaviors, ecologically sustainable landscapes, and community focused design. Engagement and equity is at the heart of the work that I enjoy doing. I believe in the ability of design to tell important stories and connect people to place. I love to research and find interesting histories and niches for the communities and species I design for. I hope to approach every project I work on from a place of joy, exploration, optimism, and ingenuity.
Sustaining Rondo
University of Minnesota
Studio IIII 2023
• Rhino
• Lumion
• Adobe Suite
• AutoCAD
Site: I-94 and Rondo Ave, St.Paul, MN
The Sustaining Rondo project examines what it means to repair a community and build autonomy through the lens of agriculture, education, and community building. As a result of the Interstate 94 construction in the 1960s, the majority Black neighborhood of Rondo lost most of its businesses, homes, and most importantly its opportunities. This project removes Interstate 94 and uses the existing cut for agricultural production and forestry. Not only is the community in charge of their own future , but through this project will have the tools to be successful in the long term.
Historic Rondo
33% Less canopy cover in black neighborhoods
90% Decrease in black owned businesses post I-94
3 Community gardens exist in the Rondo neighborhood
During the research phase, I focused on the successes and stories of Rondo Ave businesses. The loss of these businesses meant a loss of livelihood, community, and a convenient shopping center free of discrimination.
3.5 MILES of St. Paul connected to the community garden
Food production
Rain run-off harvest/reuse Farm education/ production
488 FAMILIES can be sustained by production
Solar panels
Run-off detention treatment
Maintain existing ramps
25.7 INCHES of water retained by the green roof
REPARATIONS
Education capital Land bank for land ownership
12 ACRES of land being banked for purchase
SOIL REGENERATION
• Reach out to business contacts for equipment and goats
• Goats for existing vegetation
• Large debris cleared
• Land Terracing
• Spread/turn/rake manure, compost, straw
PLANTING
• Start sourcing larger trees and fruit trees
CONSTRUCTION
• Begin education on construction and soil regeneration process
• Large trees
• Sound buffer trees
• Cover crops planted: buckwheat + daikon radish
PROGRAMING
• Source nature play
• Maintenance to existing ramps
• Construction of trails
• Greens
• Orchard trees
• Crops that need time to become edible
• Construction of community center
• Green roof
• Row crops
• Bio detention plantings
• Greenhouses and hydroponic features
• Nature play installed
• Farmers market pavilion
• Solar panels
• Nature play
• Community table meals
• First harvest
• Total control of planting rotation and production to community
• Chicken coop
• Farmers markets
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
• Community meetings and feedback about Rondo plan
• Organizing important stakeholders
• Organizing workforce for restoration
• Soil regeneration work completed by local employees at a competitive wage
• Beginning plant education
• Soil regeneration work completed by local employees at a competitive wage
• Beginning orchard education
• Beginning greenhouse and hydroponic planting education
• Education:
• Crop rotation
• Chicken raising
• Canning and preserves
• Land bank
• School programs start
• Produce shipping
• Education:
• Land bank procedures
• Shipping/mass scale production
• Outreach efforts to schools
Phasing is key to this project. Reparations must be done intentionally and with care, it is not a one and done process. Through this phasing approach, the community is truly set up for success in every aspect and full autonomy is given to the community with all the tools they need. In turn, educational and fina ncial capital is gained as well as the assurance of land ownership. The ultimate goal is creating a self sustaining community owned and operated by the neighborhood.
The northwestern portion of the site is dedicated to scientific innovation and experimentation with growing techniques. This includes hydroponic systems and solar energy. The greenhouses also allow for year-round agricultural activities for the continued production of produce for local businesses. With a location in Minnesota, it is important that there are opportunities for continued involvement throughout the long winters .
Plantings
The focus on agriculture started with input from the community. The Urban Farm and Garden Alliance has been working for many years to establish community gardens in Rondo. Plantings were chosen based on seasonal color, ability to grow in the harsh Minnesota climate, and local menus from restaurants in the area such as Taste of Rondo . The original slope and ramps of the interstate remain in tact for machinery access to the agriculture land as well as to not further scar the traumatized land . This slope also allows for terraced land for crop growth which conserves water and allows for unique crop choices such as orchard trees.
Green Roof
Terraced Root Vegetables
Row Crops
Terraced
Orchard
Detention Area
Green Roof Drainage
Used for Community Center
Rain Barrel
University of Minnesota
Final Capstone Spring 2024
• Rhino
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• GIS
• Wood Shop
• Site: Belle Isle Zoo, Detroit, MI
To complete my graduate degree, my final capstone project focused on the abandoned Belle Isle Zoo and re-introduction of species deeply effected by industrialization in Detroit. The Eastern Red Bat, Blanding’s Turtle, and Mudpuppy were all disproportionately impacted by this development and are the focus of this project. Existing buildings and materials are utilized for habitat structures and kept on the site. Detroiters know that their strength doesn’t lie in the shiny new developments so this project takes a new approach to rehabilitation of the space, encouraging buildings to continue degrading and plants to continue growing . This will continue creating habitat for species to return to the island.
*It is impossible to sum up this project in just a few pages! Please visit my LinkedIn page for the full project: https://www.linkedin.com/in/izzy-wilde8303161a7/
In order to re-introduce a species, all specific ecosystem requirements must be met. This includes increasing accessibility to different depths of water, providing both wetland and oak hickory forest spaces, and continuing to maintain the wet mesic flatwoods, which is the historic vegetation on the island. All three species are nocturnal and will be moving around the space at night.
The Zoo is located in the center of Belle Isle and will serve as the epicenter for species reintroduction. This area is where many of the habitats and water connections meet and has buildings with potential for material re-use. Beyond the Zoo site, habitat is introduced on the eastern portion of the island where current restoration efforts are taking place and where some of the herpetile species are living today.
Species Profiles
The Eastern Red Bat is a solitary bat that roosts in trees 2-40 feet above the ground. Due to their red color, pretending to be pinecones to avoid predators. They thrive on the edges of oak-hickory forests where they can swoop down to catch their prey at night and effectively echolocate . Individual bat houses are made of wood beams from existing buildings and cedar shingles from the roofs of buildings. Each house holds one bat to fit their solitary nature but the houses are placed on a pole in a spiral that makes a pinecone-like shape to pay homage to their tendencies in nature.
The Blanding’s Turtle spends most of its life cycle on the move, moving from wetlands to deep waters and vegetation. These turtles are highly endangered and often mistaken for the Painted Turtle. The over abundance of predators on Belle Isle has made the mortality rate for their eggs almost 100% . A turtle nesting box is created from the large perimeter fence surrounding the Zoo, u tilizing the wood slats and chain link fencing . The boxes are placed over the nest after the eggs are laid with an opening just big enough for the babies to exit after hatching.
The Mudpuppy is a largely misunderstood animal. It has both lungs and gills and thrives in deep, cold waters . They are sensitive bioindicators and ecologically beneficial, feeding on invasive species : the round goby, zebra mussel, and rusty crayfish. The mudpuppy has enjoyed the concrete dumped from the industrial revolution into the Detroit River, but the contaminates it brings has had a negative impact. Utilizing concrete from specific sources , like the Zoo, will ensure that concrete is clean and free of pollutants before going into the waterways for habitat.
Towards the center of the site, bat habitat structures are placed on the edges of forests adjacent to wetlands. This allows for bats to swoop above these open spaces, catching insects and echolocating without interference. Lighting for humans is excluded from this area.
Bats View
Turtle habitats and nesting boxes are centered around wetland spaces with high grasses for cover. Wetlands and channels are connected by herpatile tunnels to avoid fatal road collisions with turtles.
Mudpuppies roam largely unseen throughout the site, making their homes in deep, cold waters . All channels are connected and maintained at differing depths for the different parts of their life cycle. Decontaminated building materials are located in these channels from the zoo site for habitat use.
Humans are secondary in this space and their interactions in the space are highly controlled. There is one access point on the site to enter the boardwalk. This boardwalk quickly reaches 10 feet high to deter people from moving off. Where the boardwalk lowers for views, people continue to be deterred by c arefully chosen vegetation and proximity to water . The human experience on the site is separated into three main sections based on the features that the particular portion of the site provides: ground level, grand pavilion, and evening access (shown on left side).
University of Minnesota
Fall Studio 2023
• AutoCAD
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Rhino 7
• Modeling
Site: Lock and Dam #16, Muscatine, IA
This studio focused on the locks and dams located on the northern part of the Mississippi River . The extensive history of diverse industry on the River is what inspired the focus on native Mississippi mussels. Muscatine, IA was once the world’s largest pearl button manufacturer . As a result of this and many other practices, over 70% of native mussels are endangered and their success is key for the quality of our waterways . This project prioritizes these mussels above human use and focuses exclusively on research, propagation, and the successful release into the Mississippi River.
Meet the Mussels
Enjoys the deep waters of the Mississippi and the
Can’t get enough of the fast moving waterways spilling over rocks and boulders in the river at shallower depths
Understanding the specific needs of the native mussels key to success. This is why two specific species were chosen and the site was adapted to serve their needs. The first phases of this project related to policy on the Mississippi River and within the locks and dams. Addressing the spawning needs of native mussels and the eradication of the predatory zebra was paramount to restoration efforts.
This cardboard process model was made to better understand the spatial qualities of the smaller islands and the spawning towers.
Boardwalk Ecosystem
At the southeast portion of the large island is where many of the habitats and uses meet. There is a hike-in campground for researches who are on the site overnight and a boardwalk to observe the establishing mussels.
Spawning Islands and Towers
The far islands on the site are more mature habitats for mussels after they have surpassed the research facility stage. Researchers may boat out to this habitat to place the mussels in spawning towers or buckets designed to get them acclimated to the environment while not subjecting them to potential zebra mussels or other parasites.
DECIDOUS FOREST
WETLAND
ROCKY RIFFELS
SOFT SEDIMENT
ROCKY SEDIMENT
4’’ DRIVEN STEEL PILE
8’’R STEEL PAN
CRUSHED AGGREGATE WITH FINES 1’’ RIVER ROCK
STAINLESS STEEL MESH SCREEN
Landscape Design
September 2024
• CAD
• Illustrator
• Hand Drawing
Site: Minnesota History Center, Saint Paul, MN
Emmons & Olivier Resources (EOR)
One of the projects I have contributed to the most while at EOR was the Minnesota History Center landscape re-design. The project scope is to reduce the lawn spaces around the Center, provide visibility to the Capitol, replace dying tree species, and re-envision the green roof patio space . My contributions to this project have been centered around the island at the entrance of the building and the green roof space. Given that this is the Minnesota History Center, I approached each design intervention wanting the landscape to represent culture and climate in Minnesota.
This large island located in the parking lot is the first view visitors get when coming to the History Center. This design concept brings forward Minnesota’s farming tradition and “amber fields of grain” with waves of different Minnesota native grasses.
Large windows look out onto this space and then to the Capitol building beyond. Due to the heavily shaded environment, this is the perfect area to represent Minnesota’s northern mesic hardwood forests and ferns of particular state concern.
Construction Details
The following are construction details of produced while in the Master of Landscape Architecture program. They were produced while on visits where pictures and measurements were taken of landscape features.
Professional Planning
Select Urban and Regional
Planning
2018-2024
Sites:
Minnesota, Iowa, Texas
Since 2018 I have worked in numerous planning internship roles utilizing my B.S. in Community and Regional Planning combined with my landscape architecture education. I have worked at all levels of government as well as in the private sector. GIS and community engagement work have both been aspects of the planning process that I regularly been apart of. Document types I have contributed to include :
• Comprehensive/master plans
• Park master plans
• Community engagement plans
• Trail master plans
• ADA transition plans
• Affordable housing plans
• Zoning/city code ordinances
• Land use plans
Rochester, Minnesota
This project was completed by Asakura Robinson while I was an intern. My contribution to this project included community engagement work in Rochester, Minnesota. I attended community events and encouraged people to think about the features that they wanted to see at the park. But above all it was a great chance for me to listen to what life in Rochester was like. The city is home to the Mayo Clinic , making accessibility especially important as many residents are seeking medical treatment. There is also a great mix of cultures to be planned for because of the diverse doctors that end up living in the area. I was able to take the knowledge I gained back to the team and help draft ideas on how this needs can be best met in the plan.
Sunset Valley, Texas
This projects was located in Sunset Valley, Texas and was completed by Asakura Robinson. During my internship, this was the project that I contributed to the most. Mapping and analysis was an important part of my work to help understand existing conditions and missing links in the parks system. This project was also an opportunity to learn about plant groups that are native to the central Texas region and the qualities that they need to thrive. I enjoyed being able to research interesting species that couldn’t be planted in the Midwest environment I live in.
This Parks and Trails Master Plan was completed for Alexandria while I was an Intern at HKGi . The project involved a complete plan of the entire park system in Alexandria as well as an assessment of the current park features and assets . My primary contribution to this project was individual park design concepts for Lake View Park, Oakwood Trails Park, and Runestone Park. This involved meeting with coworkers, doing design charrettes, and then refining concepts for the next meeting.
I spent my first summer as an undergraduate researching racially discriminatory housing practices in Des Moines , Iowa. I worked with the Polk County Housing Trust Fund to produce this report which was published to help Des Moines residents better understand the issue of racially restrictive covenants . I attended city council meetings and met with city representatives to advocate for housing affordability during a time where a highly controversial zoning code was going through Des Moines. I had the privilege of meeting with individuals experiencing homelessness in the area and those that were in transitional housing to listen and understand the need that exists in Des Moines today.
This Survey Summary for the city of Bayside, Texas was completed while I was an intern at Asakura Robinson . I contributed to the layout, GIS mapping, and statistical analysis of the survey results.
To read these plans and more, head to my LinkedIn :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/izzy-wilde-8303161a7/
University of Minnesota Spring 2023
Site: Cloquet, MN
This fire workshop was taught to gain understanding the process, benefits, and techniques of doing a prescribed burn . We were able to make our own items made of natural materials to burn and test to further our knowledge of burn processes. At the end of the class, we went to Cloquet Forestry Center to do a large scale burn pile.
Phase 1: Research Burn
Phase 2: Large Burn Pile
This burn used twine, coffee filters, and natural rope Filters didn’t burn as anticipated with smaller twine burned first and rope burned slowly from the inside before breaking.
The large burn had a base of large, invasive tree species that were choking the red and white pine trees. Small volunteer coniferous trees were added to the pile and created the most fuel for the fire because of the wetter wood and sap.
Drawing of large burn pile observations using charcoal from the remaining burnt wood.
On-site experiments were conducted using trimmed branches, invasive woody species , leafs, and volunteer trees. The snow was an added element of experimentation and understanding how it contributes to the burn.
Conservation
Bird Conservation in Minnesota 2022-2024
Site: Twin Cities, MN
I volunteered with wildlife conservation in the Twin Cities through both rehabilitation work at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota and being on the Board of Directors for the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis (ACM). One of my greatest passions is the wellbeing of animal species and the preservation of their habitat spaces. In these roles I am able to get hands on experience to help me better understand and design for the non-human world. I enjoy being able to educate others as well on the importance of these largely overlooked creatures.
Leading monthly education sessions with leaders in the birding community is a responsibility I have taken on since being elected to the Board with ACM. This can include artists, researchers, scientists, and authors .
During migration season, I help lead bird outings throughout Minneapolis including this one at the Heron Rookery. This includes teaching and encouraging people of all age and experience levels to enjoy birds.
These mallard ducks are just a few of the hundreds of waterfowl I have helped rehabilitate through the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota . This experience has made me a better environmental steward and landscape designer.
