Samuel Geer

Landscape Designer / Planner,
Metro Blooms

Degree: MLA/MURP, 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN

Why did you choose the Humphrey School?
One of the reasons that I chose the Humphrey School was the dual degree in urban planning (MURP) and landscape architecture (MLA) offered jointly with the College of Design. This interdisciplinary program allowed me to learn about urban design and landscape ecology from two distinct perspectives. The MURP degree focuses on how public policy, private enterprise, and community involvement align to shape and sustain our cities, while the MLA program covers how design, art, and ecology can improve the livability and environmental performance of our cities and countryside. The program is an excellent opportunity to get two degrees and an array of useful skills and experiences.

What distinguishes the Humphrey School?
The Humphrey School is a major crossroads of progressive and intelligent people interested in making the world a better place to live. The time that I spent at the Humphrey School was a unique opportunity to meet people from many different backgrounds and nationalities. Everyone I met was driven to learn about public policy and planning processes so that they could apply this knowledge to real-world problems. What makes the Humphrey School distinctive is the diversity of ways that these individuals choose to make a positive impact on the people and landscapes of Minnesota and beyond.

How did your experiences at the Humphrey School influence your career?
My situation upon leaving school was similar to that of many other dual degree students—do I work as a planner or as a landscape architect? While at the Humphrey School, I was lucky enough to work at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, where I provided planning assistance to rural communities and researched land development and open space planning. In addition, during my studies I had a job working as a stormwater management BMP designer for the Washington Conservation District and subsequently Metro Blooms. The part-time position with Metro Blooms evolved into a full-time position, where I am able to work in both worlds.

Tell us about your job.
At Metro Blooms, my work often involves assembling coalitions of stakeholders willing to work together to fund, design, and implement stormwater management practices. In addition to designing many of the practices, I also help organize the financial systems that are necessary to sustain these projects into the future. Having the freedom to develop a project from an idea to a built landscape is very satisfying and utilizes the skills that I learned while at the Humphrey School.

 

March 15, 2012