JOB BOARD - REQUESTS FOR LANDSCAPE ASSISTANCE

LDA students: please see Sharla about possible unit credit for these projects.

Updated 8/25/08. Students' input needed for home renovations in (linked PDFs followed by more blurbs):

For reference, older requests are archived here.
 
8/25/08
We are writing to inquire about the possibility of having students in your program design and implement a watering system for our church. We live in area that is hot and dry during the summer months, and winter rains vary considerably from year to year. It would help to develop and design a minimal watering system to maintain native landscaping. We understand that you have senior or graduate students that do projects like this and we would like to find out how we might qualify.
 
Our church has been in this community since the 1890s. In addition to numerous church sponsored programs and activities, it has been used for weddings and funerals, luncheons, club meetings, NA and AA meeting, tribal health, women infant and children's services, weight watchers meetings and more. This site has provided community members with a voting place, hosted craft groups, a charter school, spirit of the season and the community food pantry. The stone structure was one of the few buildings in downtown Middletown to escape a devastating fire in the early 1900's.
 
We are engaged in a long term effort to restore and repair the historic old stone building and grounds. The yard around the church has some landscape plants, but also a lot of weeds and volunteers. A comprehensive landscaping plan that makes use of low-maintenance and native plants would greatly enhance the exterior as well as make better use of our water resources. Planning plantings that would be in keeping with the historic nature of the structure as well as satisfy low maintenance and low water use requirements would be a creative challenge and opportunity for your students.
The favorable consideration of your department for this project is requested. If you have questions or desire a site visit, we would be more than happy to accommodate the request. We could also provide room and board in member homes while working on the project. julianneschisler1@mac.com
 
8/25/08
We need help designing the landscape in our back yard.  We live in North Woodland (Beamer Park), in an older- historic neighborhood.  Our house is 1500+ square feet and was built in 1956.  We are a couple in our 50's, no children living at home and we enjoy entertaining family and friends.  We also have 3 small dogs.   We're thinking flagstone and brick pathways, a small redwood deck that will accommodate a spa/hot tub, a pergola over the seating area, little or no grass, year round greenery and some color. A tropical/woodsy/jungle feel, with some shade, and low maintenance.  I'm the family gardener (which I love to do). Our backyard is small, about 25' X 50'.  We'd like design ideas along with approximate cost estimates if possible. We are anxious to start as soon as possible.  Thank you so much for your consideration.  Home email address is clydeslastride@earthlink.com, work email is lclark@ucdavis.edu. 
 
8/21/08
Claire in Mill Valley has "a great landscape architecture project that would involve studying erosion, slope management, and planting". Site image here.
 
8/11/08
My name is Kimo Bernauer and I am the Manager of a Local Equipment Rental yard. In front of our store is a large area that is all dirt and weeds at this time and we would like to landscape it so it is low watering, low cost, and low maintenance. So I was writing you to see if you would be interested in using this area as a project for your students to come up with a design. We are willing to pay for the work that is done, with in a certain budget. You may contact me atdavis@allstarrents.com.
 
8/4/08
We are located in a new home development in Rancho Cordova (Anatolia area). We need an affordable backyard landscape design to complement our high end home (which we only afforded due to the slow market). The back yard is 72' x 35.5' and has a small (23' x 6') semi-enclosed patio as part of the interior floor plan. This creates a challenge since we don't want the expense of removing the existing patio, but need additional patio space for seating and entertaining. The yard is flat; the soil is heavy clay and rock. Our neighbor's lot to the south is about 2' lower than our lot, as is the sidewalk to the north. The lot behind us is undeveloped, but seems about level to ours. I would like a design that masks the long skinny nature of the yard and I would like to try to get a sense of elevation as well. I like gardening, so I want a yard that permits me to putter&emdash;amended soil, little or no bark, and access to water. I'd like only a small area of lawn&emdash;kid friendly, but not backbreaking to mow. I would even like to see if we could push out our fence line to increase the backyard space and reduce the amount of mowing along the sidewalk. This would require approval from the City of Rancho Cordova. This is a great chance for a student nearing graduation to get a foot in the door for all the new homes that are going in. We are a small chatty group of homeowners and everyone is looking for great ideas. I would be more than willing to have an open house the yard version to show off the completed work and allow the designer a subtle meet and greet. I would like the plan to be something we could do in stages&emdash;basic for now with the ability to add a pergola and outdoor kitchen later. We would like the installation budget to be between $10K and $20K for the part we install now. So far we have had bids ranging from $9K to $27K for pretty much the same design&emdash;all designs were a strip of patio, a strip of grass, a strip of planting area along the fence--some had boulders and water features, but the essence was the same. We would like a seating wall or two and I like the idea of swinging the patio to one side to make the yard look shorter and deeper. We prefer European, Mediterranean or Asian to tropical. The sooner this gets done the better--I am very anxious to get the back yard in before the rains come. re_writer@hotmail.com
 
8/4/08
My name is Kristin Burns. I recently purchased my first home (in West Sacramento), and I have a small side yard that, at this point, is dirt and some weeds. It appears the previous owners never did anything with it. Before I turn to another source, I thought I would check with your department to see if there are any students (undergrad or grad) who would be interested in designing a landscape plan for the yard, for credit or for work experience. I'm pretty open to anything, so this could be a great opportunity for a student to be creative/innovative and get some practical experience. If it pans out, I'd be happy to try get some publicity for the project by pitching a before/after story to various publications (Sac Bee, Home & Garden section, Sac magazine, etc).
 
8/4/08
Smooth As Silk Day Spa, located in downtown Davis, is looking for a student interested in trading services. We are looking for someone who can help us with suggestions as to which plants would enhance the look of our front yard. We are looking for someone to help us select the plants, the layout, and help with installation. If you're interested, please contact us at sasdayspa@yahoo.com.
 
7/3/08
Hello, my name is Tricia Kelly. My husband and I built a house on two acres approx. 3 years ago in the city of Elk Grove. The front of the house has been landscaped by myself and my husband, but the back of the property still needs to be done. There are some specific things that we would like and the rest would be open to discussion. The house sits as close to the property line as possible so that we would have room for our kids and entertaining in the back. Plus almost all the windows face the back of the property. Here are some of the specifics that we would like:
-California Backyard BBQ
-At some point a good size pool
-Pool house/guest quarters
-Fire pit with seating
-covered sitting area maybe around the BBQ area
-Orange Tree
-Lime Tree
-Lemon Tree
-Avocado Tree
-Pear & Apple Tree
These are things we would like to do but don't know how to lay them out or design them. Everything is open for discussion. We just really need help. It's almost the same as not having enough space, if you don't do it correctly it's a waste and cluttered. If anyone is interested I can send some photos or they are more than welcome to come see the site.
 
6/2/08
Excellent opportunity for a creative landscape architect for two unit condominium on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu; someone looking to build and add to their portfolio through work on a high visibility project. On-site advertising will be permitted. Building permit in process. License required. Degree preferred. Project includes dramatic roof top deck, environmentally conscious green roof and numerous planters attached to the project. Project is a dramatic modern structure designed by Martin Fenlon Architecture and will be LEED certified. Location: PCH - Malibu. PDF description here and email contact.
 
5/15/08
I am a UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener working with Shriner's Childrens Hospital to develop a therapeutic garden for use by their young patients. We would like to incorporate an existing playground/rehab area with sensory stations to allow the patients an experience outside the confines of the hospital. Naturally, there are special needs and requirements that would need to be considered. We want to develop a concept design that could be used as a step for fundraising and rough cost estimates. Because of the many interesting facets of this design, I was hoping this might make a great project for students. Although there is some seed money, I was wondering if this is something that UC Davis might consider as a student project. Please let me know if you might consider this project and/or if you have any other suggestions.
 
5/7/08
Landscape assistance needed in Vacaville for a private residence. Looking for creative ideas for renovating the front yard. I would like to create a courtyard that is warm and inviting. There is an existing trellis that I would like to modify or alter in some way to give it a new look. I have some ideas of my own but I'm hesitant to implement any of them without additional advice. If interested in being paid to help with this project, please email Kwellsss@sbcglobal.net.
 
4/28/08
My name is Mehran and I have recently remodeled my home in Los Altos. I am looking for a senior or alumnus to come look at the site to tell me want kind of plantings would be best to grow in the area. This is a paid job. If you are interested and want more information contact me at 408.829.6610.
 
4/21/08
I am a senior citizen living in the Sacramento area on a fixed income. I love my back yard; it is very small but has a lot of potential. I spoke to someone who said that they heard there may be students who could help me landscape my yard or "renovate" it. I am open to their ideas and designs. I am looking for innovative students who would like to put their skills into practice and have photos for their portfolios, while making a little extra spending money. Thank you.
 
9/18/07
Low maintenance Landscape Design for a rectangular front yard (33 ft wide x 56 ft deep) of a small Stanley Davis tract home in East Davis.  Owner wishes to install decking close to the house and some brickwork in the yard curving from the driveway to the front sidewalk.  Faux materials are of interest.  The walkway to the house needs to be widened.  French drain and rain downspouts need to be considered in plans.  Owner wishes to have drought-tolerant plants; little or no grass, perhaps ground-cover plants.  The house was built in the mid-60's and has a retro look. It would be appealing to have that style flow to the yard.  Your ideas and suggestions encouraged. PatPoir@sbcglobal.net
 
9/17/07
Hello, My name is Mark and I live in the Long Beach.  We have added on to our property and prior to the process we removed all landscaping.  We currently have dirt in the front and backyard.  Today, Long Beach Council announced there will be water rationing and no washing driveways, curbs and to water the lawn in the morning hours along with other requirements.  My Wife and I are looking for Ca. conservation drought plants. Suggestions of trees to allow shade for certain sections of the house, water smart sprinklers along with any other ideas.  We all know water is becoming scarcer in the Ca. area and they are anticipating another drought year for 2008.  We do not have a lot of money left after the house add on and remodel but are willing to work with a student to further their career as well as helping concerned homeowners.  Please contact me via cell phone or email if this sounds like something you are interested in. Regards, Mark J. Frazzetta mfrazzetta@verizon.net