Don graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Master of Landscape Architecture in 1980, after working as a Landscape Designer under Doug Paterson at Lombard North Group (1975-1976) and starting work with UMA Engineering Ltd., a legacy AECOM company, in 1977. In 2018 he had worked for AECOM for over 41 years, and was a Senior Planner and Landscape Architect.
Working on hundreds of interdisciplinary projects in Ontario, Western Canada and the North for public, private and NGO clients, he has developed expertise in sustainable community planning, residential and industrial land development, urban design, transportation landscape design, riverbank naturalization, recreation planning, First Nations community planning and school pre-design, municipal facilities master planning and public engagement.
He has participated in award-winning projects for Promenade Tache, Completion of the Downtown Assiniboine River Walkway /South Legislative Building Grounds Redevelopment, Seine River Siphon Slope Stabilization and St. Vital Park Slope Stabilization, and the Public Works East Yard Complex in Winnipeg. ##
Don also led the overall subdivision planning and landscape architectural design of many of Winnipeg’s premiere developments from the 1970’s to the 2000’s, including parks, lakes and special features. He has worked for over 40 First Nation Communities, primarily in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. Most of his work has been highly collaborative with clients, stakeholders and communities as well as fellow planners and landscape architects, project managers, architects, engineers and environmental scientists.
Don is a member of five provincial landscape architecture associations, as well as MPPI and has been active volunteer on MALA Council and CSLA Board of Governors, as well as MPPI Council. He served lengthy terms as Chair of the CSLA Editorial Board and LACF Treasurer, and on the CIP National Awards of Planning Excellence Jury. He has enjoyed mentoring both Planners and Landscape Architects inside and outside of AECOM.
