Our work at the Holdsworth Center, a Texas-based organization focused on advancement of public education in the Lone Star State, revolved around providing a tranquil, inspirational venue designed to support public school leaders to learn, reflect, and collaborate. Set in an old cattle pasture at the intersection of two waterways—Lake Austin and Bull Creek—the waterfront campus gently slopes down to the Lake. Though the property had once been a flourishing site of Texas Hill Country flora and fauna, its ecology had become grossly compromised over time. In the early 20th century, developers cleared the site of its trees, while decades of ranching further challenged the ecology. Planted with non-native grasses, the site had become overrun with Coastal Bermuda, Chinese tallow, and other invasive species.

The landscape design strategy for this new 44-acre campus focused on restoring the site’s ecology to its pre-development condition, undertaking an invasives removal program that targeted eradication with minimal application of herbicides. The project restored native vegetation with special considerations for site preparation, design, and the ongoing management of the property so that the site could support and contribute to the functions of its surrounding environment. Large swaths of native plantings under a mature oak and pecan canopy to reduce erosion along the hillside and provide shade for a multi-use service and walking trail.