Christian Runge’s (MLA ’11) passion for nature is rooted in his childhood growing up with Maryland’s Gunpowder State Park in his backyard. Spending those years in nature has driven him to “provide that opportunity for all kids to have that access in some way.”
A graduate of the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability’s Master of Landscape Architecture program, Runge has spent his career making the natural world accessible to children—especially those from underserved urban areas—through innovative ecological and experiential design. His work encompasses restoration projects at national parks as well as designing inclusive and nature-inspired playgrounds in urban parks and schools.
As a landscape architect with Mithun, an integrated design firm based in Seattle, he was lead designer for the Louisiana Children’s Museum, which provides children and families with a range of immersive experiences grounded in local ecology and culture. Nestled among mature live oak trees, visitors can experience indoor and outdoor exhibits that include an edible garden, a small splash pad, and diverse types of birds, turtles and waterfowl that nest in restored wetlands. Providing that first exposure to nature “gives kids an opportunity to experience food growing, wetlands, oak groves and water systems in new ways. That’s what’s unique about the landscape aspect of the project,” says Runge.
He’s been a witness to the impacts of his work. He recalls one instance that felt particularly special where a parent and child were holding hands, walking along a path quietly, just enjoying being out in nature. “To have that opportunity to unwind and connect differently within the natural environment really resonates,” he says.
His children, ages 3 and 5, have been his “research subjects,” visiting some of the local outdoor spaces he’s designed. “It’s really fun to see them interact and see how they experience it.”
As chief of staff at the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Gillian Gainsley says that specializing in Behavior, Education and Communication prepared her for a range of communications-based roles, including over a decade of combined experience at the Ypsilanti District Library and Detroit PBS.
Ariana Rickard loves “being the voice for nature.” As the policy director of Sonoma Land Trust, she spends her days interacting with state and federal legislators and regional coalitions, advocating for programs that fund Sonoma Land Trust’s land acquisition, restoration and conservation efforts, as well as its community outreach work.
