*currently seeking opportunities in NYC with landscape architecture firms; public-interest / community-based design organizations; and/or Jewish organizations seeking employees with design training and extensive experience in outdoor and environmental education*
Yoshi Silverstein is a landscape designer, writer, and educator. He holds over twelve years' experience in both Jewish and secular outdoor, food, farm-based, and environmental education. He specializes in strengthening place-based learning through design and education.
Yoshi recently completed his masters degree in landscape architecture at the University of Maryland. His interdisciplinary thesis project, "Parchment to Touchscreen: Landscape Journey and Experience for 21st Century Learning," creates innovation in place-based learning. The approach combined landscape design for outdoor learning environments with collaborative curriculum development with Jewish day school educators.
Yoshi's written work has been published in ArchDaily, ASLA's The Dirt, Haaretz, and Green Prophet, and featured in Planetizen, ArchNewsNow, and the American Planning Association. A Pacific Northwest native, Yoshi's diverse experience includes permaculture and natural building, inquiry-based outdoor ecology programming, outdoor trip leading (particularly camping, backpacking, and canoeing), teambuilding and ropes course training, songleading, and martial arts.
American Society of Landscape Architects, Washington, DC, US, Communications Intern
• Wrote numerous articles for ASLA blog The Dirt; several featured in Planetizen, ArchNewsNow, and the American Planning Association. Article on Elevated Cycle Tracks reprinted in ArchDaily.
• Revised and updated the ASLA Guide to Green Infrastructure
• Co-edited ASLA's Landscape Architect's Guide to Sustainable Portland, to launch in October 2014.
University of Maryland, College Park, MD, US, Graduate Teaching / Research Assistant
Taught weekly lab/discussion sections for digital graphics course and introduction to landscape architecture.
Reviewed & synthesized literature on equitable access to public parks.
LARC 221: Digital Design Tools
LARC 240: Graphic Communication & Design Studio
LARC 160: Introduction to Landscape Architecture
Neighborhood Design Center, Riverdale, MD, US, Landscape Architecture Intern
• Provided design services in support of community-sponsored initiatives.
• Coordinated efficient and effective site visits and meetings with community leaders and stakeholders to
ensure fulfillment of social and ecological needs.
Pearlstone Center, Reisterstown, MD, US, Education Director
• Coordinated all program logistics from booking to facilitation for over 6,000 participants a year.
• Developed the ChesapeakeWatershed Pilgrimage alternative break program—a multi-day, human-powered, farm-to-harbor, outdoor learning experience for college students.
• Co-authored “Chai Ve’Kayam” Educational Farm Curriculum, vol. 2.
• Trained, supervised, and mentored education & outdoor leadership staff.
University of Maryland, College Park, MD, US, Masters, Landscape Architecture
Master of Landscape Architecture from Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, College of Natural Resources
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, US, Bachelors, European Cultural Studies and Judaic Studies
