Using ecological design principles and practices, as well as regenerative frameworks, we work in tandem with our clients to benefit ecosystems, organizations, businesses, and individuals.
Jason Gerhardt, Ecological Designer – New York
Jason Gerhardt has professionally practiced ecological design in diverse environments across the United States for over two decades. His work has included academic campus planning, regenerative agriculture site development, organizational strategizing, food justice initiatives, farmer-accelerator program development, and extensive work with land, food, and education oriented non-profit organizations. Jason has instructed thousands for Naropa University, University of Colorado, the US EPA, Oregon State University, and The Nature Conservancy, among dozens of other private and public institutions. A proven catalyst for ecological community development, he holds a BA in Sustainable Design from Prescott College, as well as Diplomas in the fields of Site Design, Education, and Research from multiple leading Permaculture organizations.
Jason is a masterful vegetable grower using human-scale methods, an accomplished agroforestry systems designer, and a seasoned ecological water management consultant, often combining all three in his design work. Beyond regenerative land management, he is valued for his ability to meaningfully connect, helping individuals and groups identify purpose and potential.
In spare moments, Jason serves as co-director of the Permaculture Institute, Inc. His emphasis is at the union of the natural world and human culture. A student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh for over twenty years, he applies a keen awareness to his transformative work connecting people to all life. He is a devoted husband, paddler, writer, and farmer. When not serving his professional community, he can be found joyfully immersed at innovating farms, slow rivers, mountain lakes, and cityscapes.
Barnabas Kane, Landscape Architect – Colorado
Barnabas is a second-generation landscape architect with a multi-disciplinary background in landscape architecture, planning, and fine art. He brings a bright mind and masterful hand to design and drafting work. Since founding T. Barnabas Kane & Assoc. in 1999, he has collaborated on dozens of outstanding projects for municipal, educational, and commercial clients throughout the United States. A native of Vermont based out Colorado, Barnabas works on projects with us across the country bringing decades of landscape architecture experience.
His 30-plus years of experience encompass higher education campus planning, stormwater management, ecological restoration, rainwater catchment, permaculture design, and native wildlife habitat.
Sarah Gerhardt, Permaculture Designer – New York
Sarah is a permaculturist with specialties in human-scale vegetable farming, landscaping with native and medicinal plants, and environmental education. She holds a BA in Sustainable Community Development from Prescott College. Sarah is a pattern thinker from a family of artists using her artistic abilities to interact with the landscape and design. When working on projects she invests time into building relationships and listening deeply to client needs. Sarah is rooted in values of truly caring about the land and each other. She employs this in her design process to get to the root of a projects potential and to find the most authentic and aesthetic expression for a client and landscape. Her goal is to design to induce joy and happiness in clients lives. Sarah has applied her design work one-on-one with clients, as part of installation crews, working with children in gardens, leading farm crews, and guiding activities on urban farms across the United States.
Born in the Adirondacks of New York, Sarah is deeply connected to the natural world and traditional arts. She is a prolific knitter of clothing, maker of herbal preparations, baker with maple sweeteners, and yoga and meditation instructor.