About Sarah C. Sutton

I loved climbing trees as a child and sitting amidst the leaves watching the birds and other wildlife life around me! This love of nature (and art) drew me to the profession of Landscape Architecture, and I feel fortunate to have been able to practice in a variety of settings throughout my 40-year career, from public and private sector parks, streetscapes, housing and commercial developments to trail design and habitat restoration. My focus has always been through the lens of regenerative practices, striving to leave the earth and her flora and fauna in a healthier state. In my current business, EcosDesign Studio, I enjoy consulting with homeowners, businesses and organizations and presenting to garden clubs focused on these goals.
I began my professional education at UC Berkeley where I received a BA in Landscape architecture, augmented by certificates in Therapeutic and Healing Garden Design, Green Roof Design and Construction, and as a Master Herbalist. There’s always more to learn and discover!
In addition to practicing as a Principal Landscape Architect for several Bay Area firms, I’ve enjoyed teaching planting and neighborhood design courses for the UC Berkeley Extension’s Landscape Architecture program and Site Planning and Design for Riparian Corridors for UC Davis Extension for many years. I’ve been honored to serve as Board President, instructor and consultant for ReScape, to help build and further their mission to “provide a regenerative, whole systems foundation to landscaping education, workforce development and policy, address climate change earthscape and land use issues”.
My award-winning book – The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye – draws from my experiences and is a richly-illustrated guide to transforming lawn-centric front yards and communities to beautiful, eco-friendly, low maintenance gardens that conserve water, protect our watersheds, sequester carbon, conserve water and energy and enhance habitat values.