University of Rhode Island Holds 34th Annual Landscape Architecture Lecture Series
KINGSTON, R.I. – Oct. 6, 2026 – This fall, the University of Rhode Island (URI) presents its 34th annual Landscape Architecture Lecture Series, featuring three esteemed practitioners and scholars focused on blending science, planning, and design to build resilient and regenerative landscapes.
The public lecture series, accessible free of charge, marks the inaugural event organized by URI’s newly formed Department of Earth Sciences, Planning, and Design (ESPD), which merges the former departments of Geosciences and Landscape Architecture and Planning.
Theme: Regenerative Landscapes
Under the theme “Regenerative Landscapes,” this year’s series will tackle environmental challenges at various scales, including the restoration of rivers, local ecosystems, and designs geared toward decarbonization and climate adaptation.
Gavin Zeitz, an assistant teaching professor of landscape architecture, remarks, “The theme emphasizes the need to extend beyond sustainability, focusing on repairing, restoring, and promoting positive environmental changes. It uses a multidisciplinary approach to explore distinct perspectives on creating regenerative landscapes.”
Lecture Schedule
Three perspectives, three scales:
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Wednesday, Oct. 14: Nick Nelson, a fluvial geomorphologist, opens the series with “Ecological Restoration + Nature-Based Solutions.” His lecture will discuss environmental systems alongside community harmony and ecological restoration.
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Monday, Nov. 2: Billy Flemming, an assistant professor of landscape architecture at Temple University, will present “Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions,” addressing climate change solutions through design and planning.
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Wednesday, Nov. 18: Wendy Andringa, a landscape architect from Assemblage Landscape Architecture, concludes the series with “Designing for Dynamic Landscapes + Climate Adaptation,” focusing on adaptive landscape designs amid climate change.
Venue and More Information
All lectures will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Richard E. Beaupre Center (Room 105) at URI, located at 140 Flagg Rd., Kingston.
Closing Thoughts
Zeitz expresses hope that the series will foster a deeper understanding of environmental responsibility among students and attendees, aiming to advocate for regenerative development models that support the well-being of our ecosystems. He stresses, “We aspire to be a model for integrating science, planning, and design to address critical environmental and social issues.”
This lecture series is a testament to the ESPD’s interdisciplinary mission in its foundational year, aiming to forge pathways for innovative, community-involved environmental solutions.
This announcement was authored by Anna Gray from URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences.
