about
us
Schooled
in Environmental Policy / Public Affairs, Garth started
Quail Ridge Farm Nursery and Landscape
in the mid 80's, along with a senior partner, that continued
through early 2002. He developed the landscape design,
installation and maintenance areas of the business while
helping to oversee the original retail nursery / gift
shop orientation. Incorporated in 1991, Garth assumed
the presidency / primary leadership role in the 90's and
continued through 2002. In a move to pursue a streamlined
landscape design / build practice, Quail Ridge Farm was
retired in 2002 in favor of a new, smaller format: Garth
Conrad Associates.
Garth
Conrad Associates continues the creative design
work established through Quail Ridge, working with local
and Chicago based clients within the Michiana and regional
Chicago areas. Projects vary from small second home cottage
landscapes to large-scale estates. Landscape installations
and project management through Garth Conrad Associates
use the many contractor and small business contacts forged
through years of working throughout the region.
Industry
leadership work includes:
Board
membership, the international Association of Professional
Landscape Designers (APLD) from 2006 to today.
Worked with its environmental committee towards improving
landscape design's impact on the environment. Edited and
authored various materials supporting the organization's
public and professional policy. Currently chair the APLD
Environmental Committee since 2006. Presented workshops,
seminar presentations and panel discussions on sustainability
since 2006. As chair, Garth helped catalyze the organization's
push into sustainability and sustainable design, resulting
in the endorsement of sustainability by the organization
in 2006. Current work continues to push for increased
emphasis on sustainable design through education and certification.
www.apld.org/
Board
membership: Chicago-based Midwest Ecological
Landscaping Association (MELA). Efforts include
current chair of its program committee; past and current
conference presentations and program development work;
continued emphasis on the power of designing for change.
Authored various pieces in support of the organization's
mission. www.melaweb.org/
