Elisa Read Pappaterra

https://www.studiopappaterra.com/

Today’s episode feels especially timely with a heavy heart. As fires in the Palisades area of Los Angeles continue to devastate communities and landscapes, we are  reminded of the growing urgency to design with resilience and sustainability at the forefront.

Our guest today is Elisa Read Pappaterra, a landscape architect and founder of studio pappaterra. Elisa is renowned for her expertise in fire ecology and her dedication to designing landscapes that not only harmonize with the natural world but also mitigate the risks of living in fire-prone areas. Her work is as vital as it is inspiring, offering solutions that preserve life, property, and biodiversity.

This conversation was recorded in Santa Barbara on October 5, 2024, following Elisa’s keynote speech at San Marcos Growers’ final event, “The Last Dance: A Celebration of 45 Years of Horticultural Legacy.” Elisa shares her insights on the importance of understanding a site’s cultural and ecological “soul,” as well as her approach to creating firewise, ecologically sound, and artistically inspired landscapes.

This episode is a  reminder that how we design our landscapes today will shape the safety and resilience of tomorrow. Whether you’re a designer, an advocate, or simply someone invested in the future of our environment, this is an important and compelling episode.