Kelly Farrell

About Kelly Farrell

My passion combines expert ecological knowledge with landscape architecture skills to design landscapes that present an amazing human experience while integrating water, plants, and spaces in ways that support local ecology. As a student of landscape architecture, my thesis \"Building Habitats\" used the Albany Pine Bush as a template habitat to test the idea of how native habitats could have greater area coverage and better connectivity through a network of thoughtfully-designed green roofs. I participated each semester in Design Connect, a multidisciplinary program in which student teams work with local municipalities and non-profits in the Finger Lakes region to solve design problems. As a project manager for one semester, board member for two semesters and team member for four semesters, I participated in projects including a park and recreation master plan, park site plans, and parking lot redesigns. I was awarded the Outstanding Teaching Assistant award for my work as a Site Engineering TA, helping graduate and undergraduate students understand grading, drainage, and ADA accessibility. Prior to my matriculation at Cornell, I completed a Master of Science degree in Zoology and worked for several years in the Hudson Valley analyzing habitat types using GIS and surveying for rare species as a Hudsonia biologist and later as a DEC wildlife technician. Through these roles, I became acquainted with New York’s environmental review process and frequently interacted with town boards, planning boards, and other land-use planners to discuss planning and conservation goals and strategies. I also became adept at delineating habitats based on plant species composition, hydrology, and topography.

Experience

1. Ecologist Landscape Designer

   Sasaki

   Jun 2019 — Present · Watertown, MA

Education

• Duke University

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Biology, General

  2002 — 2006

• Oregon State University

  Master of Science (M.S.), Zoology (Ecology)

  2008 — 2011

• Oregon State University

  Master of Science - MS, Zoology (Ecology)

  2008 — 2011

• Cornell University

  Master of Landscape Architecture, Landscape Architecture

  2015 — 2018