Natural Landscape & Park Design

Living spaces where beauty meets purpose, creating resilient landscapes for generations to enjoy.

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WE DESIGN WITH BOTH HEART AND SCIENCE, WEAVING HUMAN EXPERIENCE INTO THE FABRIC OF THRIVING ECOSYSTEMS.

Kiani Pond

PCI Ecological's Natural Landscape and Park Design team brings together expertise in landscape architecture, ecological design, and recreation planning to create meaningful connections between people and natural environments. Our designers excel at balancing people’s innate desire to be outdoors with ecological functionality, creating spaces that serve both human and wildlife communities. This integrated approach allows us to develop projects that provide recreational opportunities while enhancing ecosystem services and supporting native biodiversity.

By combining aesthetic sensitivity with ecological knowledge, we design landscapes that grow in beauty and function over time, transforming ordinary spaces into vibrant natural settings for gatherings, recreation, and quiet contemplation. Whether creating a swimming pond for a private residence or a trail system for public access, we focus on sustainable solutions that foster environmental stewardship and provide lasting enjoyment.

OUR NATURAL LANDSCAPE & PARK DESIGN SERVICES INCLUDE:

  • Public and private gathering spaces

  • Private estate landscape design

  • Natural Ponds for wildlife, fishing and swimming

  • Trail systems and public access design

  • Native vegetation landscapes

  • Pollinator gardens and habitat

  • Rainwater capture and water conservation systems

  • Climate-adaptive landscape design

  • Interpretive elements for environmental education

WHERE OUR EXPERTISE MAKES AN IMPACT

  • Thoughtfully designed facilities that enhance visitor experiences while minimizing environmental impact, including shelters, seating areas, viewpoints, and educational features that blend seamlessly with natural surroundings.

  • Custom-designed residential environments that transform properties into personal sanctuaries with native plantings, natural water features, and sustainable elements that provide beauty, privacy, and ecological function.

  • Chemical-free aquatic environments that use natural filtration systems and native plants to create beautiful, low-maintenance water features for swimming, reflection, and wildlife habitat.

  • Biodiverse landscapes featuring locally adapted species that thrive with minimal maintenance while providing year-round visual interest and critical habitat for local wildlife.

  • Strategic plantings designed to support bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects throughout their life cycles, creating vibrant, flowering landscapes that sustain crucial ecosystem services.

  • Welcoming outdoor environments that foster social connection and a sense of place, incorporating natural elements that enhance community wellbeing and environmental awareness.

  • Integrated designs that provide food, water, shelter, and breeding areas for local fauna while creating opportunities for wildlife observation and connection with nature.

  • Forward-thinking landscapes that withstand extreme weather events, conserve water, sequester carbon, and adapt to changing conditions while providing beauty and functionality for human use.

Featured design projects

  • Fitch Mountain Park

    Fitch Mountain Park and Open Space Preserve

    Full design for initial public access improvements, including an accessible entry to this steep landscape, was completed in 2023 and construction of the first phase of improvements was completed in spring 2024.

  • Jenner Headlands Preserve

    Jenner Headlands Preserve ACcess Design

    PCI Ecological was retained by the Wildlands Conservancy for planning and design of initial public access features for this 5,630‐acre Preserve.

  • SONOMA MOUNTAIN POND

    SONOMA MOUNTAIN POND DESIGN & BUILD

    In 2011, PCI collaborated with architects Backen and Gillam on the transformation of a private pond on Sonoma Mountain, creating a multifunctional water feature that provides recreational value while supporting habitat development and groundwater recharge. The comprehensive project encompassed both technical engineering requirements and sophisticated landscape design elements.

  • SANTA YNEZ RANCH DESIGN

    SANTA YNEZ RANCH DESIGN

    Since 2018, PCI has led the landscape design for an 8,000-acre working ranch and open space preserve in Santa Ynez Valley. The project integrates ecological restoration, agricultural operations, and visitor amenities through a comprehensive approach to land management.

Maggie Jensen

Maggie Jensen
CEO, Landscape Architect
maggie@pcz.com | 707.824.4601 x118

Connect with our team

At PCI Ecological, our team of dedicated professionals brings creativity, talent, and a deep understanding of the environment to each project. Every undertaking moves forward with a healthy balance between the needs of stakeholders, government agencies, and the land itself.

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