James Smith is an experienced conservation planner and forest manager who has restored endangered forests and brought them back to their native states, including running nurseries to raise native species for the projects. James has integrated small scale farming and timber production into restoration projects and doesn’t believe these interests need to be opposed. James is also a trained landscape architect with successful installations in climates ranging from the tropics to deserts to the temperates.
James uses environmentally conscious, low input methods of farming and habitat restoration and practices minimal disturbance to maintain and increase soil health and maximize flora and fauna biodiversity. “I enjoy creating something beautiful and inviting to both people and pollinators,” James says. “My style is not hedgerows and grass lawns since these are not environmentally friendly. Instead, I create biodiverse lawns (if a lawn is a must), wildflower meadows, vegetable beds mixed with fruit trees and edible flowers, etc. I also keep up with the latest trends in landscaping, meaning that if a client found something on the internet they would like replicated, I can do that (provided the right budget).”
James is interested in continuing conservation work and restoring native species to a property as well as integrating small scale farming of edibles or ornamentals into the project. “I want to reiterate that I am not interested in working with yield-only focused projects, or ‘fast returns at all costs’ types of arrangements,” James says. For personal use, James is interested in having a small plot of land for vegetables, fruit and nut trees, berry shrubs, ornamentals, and native species on a small to medium scale.
The commuting distance James will travel from New York City will depend on the intensity of the project, and an overnight or weekend place to stay would make the work much easier. James is open to developing management and business plans with landowners that share similar values and visions but would prefer a short-term and small-scale leasing arrangement for now.
Published July 2022
