MLA graduate Sarah Fitzgerald recognized as 2020 National Olmsted Scholar

Recent alumna Sarah Fitzgerald (MLA 2020) has been recognized as a 2020 National Olmsted Scholar. The program, run by the Landscape Architecture Foundation, is the premiere leadership recognition program for landscape architecture students, honoring nominees’ past achievements and recognizing their future potential to influence the landscape architecture discipline.

Now in its 13th year, the Olmsted Scholars Program recognizes and supports students with exceptional leadership potential who are using ideas, influence, communication, service, and leadership to advance sustainable planning and design and foster human and societal benefits.

Fitzgerald’s research and design work reflects her conviction that public space design plays an indispensable role in environmental justice. Her work includes designing for flood resilience in coastal Oakland neighborhoods, rethinking the future of food security on arid Native American reservations, and imagining new public park typologies that celebrate carbon sequestration.

A founding member of ASLA Adapt, Fitzgerald continues to advocate for the necessity of landscape architects’ voices in shaping Green New Deal policies, and is passionate about adapting traditional firm work to better address the climate crisis.