Kelly Densmore is an Instructor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Oregon’s School of Architecture and Environment. She teaches the Fall and Spring Plants courses, with a focus on plant identification, planting design, soil science, and the role of vegetation in supporting ecosystem function and human well-being. Her courses explore applications such as stormwater gardens, green roofs, phytoremediation, pollinator habitats, and climate-adaptive planting strategies.

A strong advocate for biophilic design, Densmore integrates nature-based principles to help bridge the divide between people and the natural world. Her teaching encourages students to develop a deep, sensory connection to place and to design landscapes that support both ecological health and human experience.

Densmore holds a BA in Anthropology and an MA in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon. She began her career at Cameron McCarthy, contributing to sustainable design projects across the region. After stepping away to focus on family, she returned to the university to teach.

Outside the classroom, Densmore works as a freelance designer, artist, and illustrator. Her creative practice—rooted in mindfulness, nature awareness, and biophilia—continues to inform her teaching, design work, and exploration of how landscapes can heal, inspire, and connect.