MLA, Master of Landscape Architecture, 1999, University of Georgia
Ph.D. Ecology, 1981, State University of New York at Stony Brook
B.A. Zoology, 1976, University of California at Berkeley B.A. Communications, 1970, University of Detroit
My specialty, ecological design, is premised in the integration of art and science. It aims to create a built environment that is ecologically functional, contextually meaningful and personally engaging. I am a licensed professional landscape architect and a research ecologist. Current teaching includes civil engineering for designers, ecological planting design studio and sustainable site design seminar. Research focuses on how to design the built environment to promote well-being and health of humans and the natural systems within which we are embedded. Current research evaluates the response of people and urban biodiversity to extensive street tree loss in Ann Arbor owing to an insect outbreak.
As an ecological designer I place aesthetics—the visceral and psychological appeal of designed spaces, on equal footing with ecosystem considerations. An engaging experience with place is critical for developing a sense of stewardship because people will fight to save what they care about. In professional practice, teaching and research, I bring the integration art and science to bear on designs for the built environment- be that a flower bed or a national park.
Awards and Grants
Recent Grants as PI: USDA-FS, McIntyre-Stennis Award, “Urban Forest Disturbance: Environmental and Behavioral Response to Street Tree Loss due to the Emerald Ash Borer”, (10/06 – 9/08) Lynch Mountain Community Coalition, “Lynch Mountain Study: Designs for an Ecologically and Culturally Sensitive Land” , co-PI, Pratt Cassity., UGA Public Outreach, (1/05-1/06) US Fish & Wildlife, Working Together to Restore Habitat Program for installation of raingarden with community educational component; co-Pi, Deborah Borden, environmental engineer, (1/05-9/06)
Research Interests
My research is focused on how to design the built environment to better support and promote well-being and health in humans and natural systems. Recent professional practice and interdisciplinary teaching includes designs and engineering plans for raingardens, bioswales and habitat restorations. These realized designs reside in Georgia.
Current/Recent Research
Current and recent research follows two interrelated paths. 1) I am evaluating the impact of extensive street tree loss in Ann Arbor on human well-being, urban biodiversity, resource use, and willingness of individuals to recreate their own habitat; 2) I participated in U-M’s Faculty Scholar’s Program in Integrative Medicine, an NIH sponsored project to bring an understanding of complementary alternative medicine treatments to scholars from many disciplines. This one-year training program has been a premise for interdisciplinary research on how to best design restorative spaces that are proactive in their promotion/maintainence of well-being.
Teaching Interests
Ecological Design: My overall goals are a) to give students tools to design places that are both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically functional, and b)to help students integrate the creative self with the logical self in order to produce engaging designs that also subscribe to the technical requirements and limitations of sustainable design.
Current Teaching
University of Michigan graduate courses: Site Engineering and Stormwater Management Design, Ecological Planting Design Studio, Sustainable Site Design Seminar
Recent Teaching
University of Georgia, at undergrad level: applied landscape ecology, urban design, site planning, advanced construction; at grad level: advanced design studio; interdisciplinary ecological design course with engineering and ecology faculty and students doing outreach projects
Selected Publications:
In landscape architecture:
Hunter, M.C. 2007. Ecological Community Restoration. In L. J. Hopper (ed.), Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards. Pp. 792-798 in section: Restoration and Remediation. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.
Hennighan, L. and M.C. Hunter. 2006. “Biodiversity” section of Green Landscaping with Native Plants. http://www.epa.gov/greenacres/conf12_04/conf_knwldge.html. U.S. EPA.
Johnson, B.R., J. Silbernagel, M.Hostetler, A. Mills, F. Ndubisi, E. Fife and M.C. Rossiter Hunter. 2001. The Nature of Dialogue and the Dialogue of Nature: Designers and Ecologists in Collaboration. In B.R. Johnson & K. Hill (eds.) Ecology and Design: Frameworks for Learning. Pp. 305-356. Island Press, Washington, D.C.