Michael Sturm

A Native Landscape Solution for a Regional Hub: The Dane County Regional Airport needed to expand its terminal and parking facilities, but it also needed a new identity for the campus. Building upon its midwest location, the new site design captures the beauty of the native prairie. The native landscape also promotes stormwater infiltration, reduces strain on the existing infrastructure and reduces landscape maintenance. Creating client acceptance for the native planting wasn’t easy, but, through reoccurring education, the design was installed and is now a signature element to the campus.

My responsibilities included: • Developing and presenting several solutions with cost estimates to the airport director and staff for the parking lot expansion and associated pedestrian walkways. • Presenting a detailed review of the benefits and challenges of installing a native landscape and continuing to update staff during the prairie’s establishment period. • Providing a solution that created a regional identity for the airport while reducing maintenance requirements. • Soliciting cost estimates from digital information board vendors, guiding airport staff with the final sign selection and locating the sign along the approach road for optimal viewing by visitors. • Serving as the primary contact for all site-related construction questions. • Reviewing the completed landscape, preparing final punch list report and providing a yearly prairie maintenance plan for staff to follow.