Environmental values in landscape architecture: Examining the relationship between stewardship ideals and practice reality

In the profession of landscape architecture there appears to be a commitment towards stewardship of the land. In practice however, landscape architects may have difficulty in achieving stewardship goals. Inquiry into the values of individual landscape architects and their experience of practice can help to better understand the relationship between stewardship values and application in practice. For this purpose, this thesis examined the values held by ten practicing landscape architects in Southern Ontario and the nature of their professional experience with respect to those values and the stewardship ideals of the profession. The results indicate limitations to the application of stewardship values in landscape architecture practice and suggest ways that these limitations may be lessened. This research may serve as a basis for debate and dialogue on the role of stewardship values in landscape architecture practice and the nature of the profession itself.