Scout Kerensky-Coodley, a master’s student in the Bernard and Anne Spitzer College of Landscape Architecture at the City College of New York, has been awarded the 2023 Linda Milbourn Fellowship in Landscape Architecture. Scout has a background in horticulture and education and has previously worked at organizations including Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Friends of the High Line.
They say, “As an educator and science communicator, my design work is undergirded by my ability to tell stories, to ground public engagement as a key component to any project’s success. I believe deeply in the mission of public gardens and look forward to having the opportunity to continue collaborating with organizations whose work is in service to the natural world, as part of the public domain.”
Scout’s research project will be with The Trust for Governors Island and looks to transform seven acres of invasive species into a native meadow. The work includes developing a design proposal for the Fort Jay meadow restoration and its corresponding management plan, including establishing project timelines, and identifying critical constraints. The meadow will provide important habitat for insects and birds, as well as provide an immersive experience for visitors through walking paths and interpretation areas.
Upon completion, the Fort Jay Meadow will be the largest meadow in the borough of Manhattan. The funds from the Linda Milbourn Fellowship will be used to provide a stipend for continued education, and cover costs related to travel for site visits, additional design software, as well as laboratory fees from the collection of soil samples, used to determine existing soil conditions.
