The Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) believes that landscape architects are crucial for creating a more sustainable, just, and resilient future, especially during these uncertain times of destructive weather events. The organization provides the resources and influence through thought leadership, signature programs, and strategic initiatives in order to empower landscape architects to use their skills and knowledge to change the world. Each year, LAF selects a six-person cohort of Fellows to work in a year-long transformation program to create and develop transformational ideas for the profession, environment, and humanity.  David Buckley Borden is an Instructor and Fuller Design Fellow in the Landscape Architecture Department. Borden is excited to join other Landscape Architecture luminaries in the eighth cohort and to bring his research to the contingent

"I envision the LAF Fellowship as an opportunity to research and share the theory and diverse practice of science communication with both landscape architecture and research science communities. Central to my proposed research is a deep dive into past practices and current trends of environmental communication by landscape architects with science research communities, specifically ecology and forestry at LTER sites," wrote Borden on his website. "This research includes a historic survey of past practices for context, but privileges an exploration of new ideas, communication models, and practice modes to move science communication forward within the realm of environmental design practice. In particular, I am interested in answering the question, 'How can landscape architects contribute to science-communication projects in order to foster cultural cohesion around ecological issues and help inform ecology-minded decision-making.'"

Borden's project is called Emergent Mutualism: Closing the Science-Communication Gap through Collaboration between Ecology and Design and is anticipated to identify, develop, and articulate creative environmental-communication methods, models, and frameworks. The intention is to answer how interdisciplinary science-communication can be re-imagined as a collaborative design process, specifically between landscape architects and ecologists. Borden's project also builds off an ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration with scientists at different ecological research sites, such as the Harvard Forest and HJ Andrews Experimental Forest in Oregon.