LandTexture: LAAAB Distinguished Speaker Series 2025

June 02, 2025

Balancing Preservation with Access and Public Use: How Landscape Architecture is shaping public lands through design and policy at the national and state scale.

LAAAB Distinguished Speaker Series: Balancing Preservation with Access and Public Use: How Landscape Architecture is shaping public lands through design and policy at the national and state scale

October 02, 2025 I 6:00pm-8:00pm

MSU Union – Ballroom I 49 Abbot Road I East Lansing, Michigan

Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring esteemed national and local experts in Public Lands: Dan Wenk, Retired w/ 43 years of Service in the National Parks system; Mark Hershberger, Founder at Hershberger Design (Jackson, Wyoming); and Dan Lord, Chief of Finance and Operations, at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Moderated by landscape architect Alex Fenech, Managing Principal at Hitchcock Design Group (Coral Springs, Florida) the session promises to provide dynamic insights and perspectives on best practices of designing for accessibility and preservation of our public lands.

This panel session will dive deep into the role of Landscape Architects in the design and development of our national and state public lands. Starting with an overview of scale, while layering in the intricacies of local Michigan DNR and National Parks, the audience will gain a better understanding of the vast impacts the Landscape Architecture profession has in these spaces. Policy, acquisition of lands, design, and preservation are all connected through the work and influence of LAs. Through unique and diverse lenses of public and private practice, this panel will unpack the inspirational roles they’ve played in embracing the task of preserving the natural beauty and resources of our public lands while meeting the growing demands of accessibility and use by its visitors.

Discussion Highlights:

Provide a brief history of the evolution of design on Federal/National Lands
Discuss how design is accomplished in the Federal Government/National Parks System
Unpack Landscape Architect’s roles in public and private practice. Dissect how this looks “locally”, as it pertains to public lands and the impacts LA’s can have
Showcase the relationship of public land and the LA influence on current topics of water quality, climate adaptation, physical/mental wellbeing, equitable use and access
Highlight the economic contributing factors from what public land provides in Michigan: timber, outdoor rec, hunting, fishing, camping, travel/tourism, etc.
Explore a series of National Park and Local Michigan Case Studies and the role of Landscape Architecture in designing accessible public spaces and preserving the natural beauty of our precious open spaces

PANELISTS
	Dan Wenk, PLA Retired, National Parks Service I Rapid City, South Dakota Dan was actively engaged in the preservation and management of National Park areas over a 43-year career with the service. As a landscape architect he began his career in the design and integration of visitor facilities into the natural and cultural landscapes and environments of our national parks. He went on to become the park landscape architect for Yellowstone National Park, Superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial where he developed a public/private partnership to preserve the Memorial and develop visitor facilities to accommodate and educate the visitors. For five years he led the NPS Denver Service Center the national planning, design and construction office. He became the NPS Deputy Director for Operations in 2007. Dan had the honor to serve for nine months as Acting Director of the NPS during the transition from the Bush to the Obama administration. Dan then took on the role of Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park in 2011. While at Yellowstone he also served as the Interim President of the National Park Foundation during the launch of the NPS Centennial Find Your Park Campaign. Dan retired from the National Park Service in 2018 and now is on the board of several nonprofits across the country that support the National Park Service and the environment. He resides In Rapid City, South Dakota with his wife Barbara and in close proximity to his children and grandchildren.
	Mark Hershberger, PLA Founder, Hershberger Design I Jackson, Wyoming Mark is a graduate of Michigan State University Landscape Architecture in 1982 and is founder of Hershberger Design, now HDLAjh located in Jackson, Wyoming. Mark joined Design Workshop in Aspen Colorado in 1984, focusing on planning and design in mountain resort communities throughout the world. In 1999, Hershberger Design was formed and Bonny Hershberger soon joined creating a partnership focusing on Landscape Architecture in the Jackson Hole region. This local focus allowed the firm to have a deep understanding of Jackson’s culture, ecology, Land Development Regulations, and other important elements influencing work in the valley and region. HDLA’s work is intentionally diverse, including affordable and market residential design, community faculties, parks and trails, and multiple projects in Grand Teton National Park. Notable public lands projects include The LSR Preserve and Jenny Lake Front Country and Back Country Renewal, both ASLA National award-winning projects.
	Dan Lord, PLA Chief of Finance and Operations, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) I Lansing, Michigan Dan Lord has been with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) since 2003. He is a 2000 graduate from the Landscape Architecture program at Michigan State University, GO GREEN! Prior to joining the DNR he worked for several private design consultants focusing on cityscapes, residential and commercial land use, and park planning. While with the DNR Dan worked for the Parks & Recreation Division for 12 years where he managed the statewide capital outlay programs as well as leading the efforts to develop the first asset management system for the agency. In 2015 Dan joined the Finance and Operations Division serving as the Facilities, Operations and Support Section Manager overseeing customer service centers and field offices across the state. In 2017 Dan became the Grants Management Section Manager leading a team responsible for 12 different grant programs focused on acquisition, recreational development, and the conservation of natural resources. Currently Dan serves as the Chief of the Finance and Operations Division which is responsible for department wide budget, finance and audit activities, public facing grant programs, real estate, oil/mineral/gas exploration, statewide facilities, polices, procedures, and procurement. Dan lives in DeWitt with his wife Missy, son Gavin (17), and daughter Sierra (16).
MODERATOR
	Alex Fenech, PLA, ASLA Managing Principal, Hitchcock Design Group I Coral Springs, Florida Alex serves as the Managing Principal of Hitchcock Design Group’s South Florida office. HDG is a national, multi-disciplinary landscape architecture, placemaking and urban design firm with their newest office right here in Coral Springs. Providing an impactful influence on the professional growth of others continues to be a staple in Alex’s core values. His role in the office allows him to focus on his craft executing high-profile projects, while mentoring members of his team and nurturing the next generation of landscape architects. Alex is a Past President the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) - Florida Chapter and now serves the National Organization, as Florida’s Trustee representative. He is also participating in the ULI SE/Caribbean Leadership Institute this year and is the only Landscape Architect in an otherwise developer, broker, attorney, and investment centric cohort. Professionally, Alex has developed a diverse portfolio of placemaking and design projects since graduating from Michigan State University in 2011. His career as provided opportunities creatively curate projects including domestic and international hospitality, mixed-use development, government, recreation, and urban infill projects throughout Florida, the Caribbean, United States and around the globe. As a Landscape Architect, Alex and his team(s) throughout his career, have had the privilege to lead design and project management efforts for several signature developments that have promoted the work of and impacts of Landscape Architecture. A few notable projects include the Swan Reserve Hotel at the Walt Disney World Resort, InterMiami CF’s Chase Stadium (Major League Soccer) in Fort Lauderdale, and The Station at Shepherd’s Hollow in Clarkston, Michigan. Finally, and most importantly, Alex lives in Tamarac, Florida with his wife Kati and cat, Mr. B, and appreciates any opportunity to travel the world to gain inspiration for solution-based design through cultural immersion.

Don't miss this opportunity to engage with visionary and passionate leaders in landscape architecture and gain valuable insights into the unique opportunity to design for and in our public lands throughout Michigan and the National Parks.