Lee Porter (B.L.A. ’11) is the owner and landscape architect at Ozark Green Roofs. During this conversation, she discussed developing a love for landscape architecture and beginning her own green roof company.
When did you become interested in landscape architecture and why?
I first heard about landscape architecture when I was in high school with no idea of what I wanted to study in college. Always trying to help me find something that fit academically, my mom said, “What about landscape architecture?” I immediately thought, “But I don’t know anything about plants!” Little did I know, knowing plants is only a piece of the puzzle of the profession. I fell in love with landscape architecture when, not heeding my mom’s wisdom, I started college as an art major and was taking John Crone’s History of the American Landscape class. Going to that class felt like sitting in on a documentary series about land use in the United States thus far, and I loved it. I thought it was so cool and visited with Crone after class, and he suggested I pursue a landscape architecture degree. Landscape architecture was a fit because rather than reading and studying for hours, I could draft and draw for hours.
What has been your career path so far?
Days out from college, I split for the mountains. I landed in Leadville, Colorado, and worked at a coffee shop and ski resort. After some time there, my partner and I spent several years traveling on a dime as often as possible and eventually moved back to Fayetteville. I worked at a local coffee shop, Arsaga’s, where caffeine fueled my hunt for an entry into the local landscape architecture field. I started working at the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, which was wonderful, and I learned so much about plants, maintenance and what plants work and don’t here in Northwest Arkansas.
I was over the moon when I got a job in the Sustainability and Resilience Department at the City of Fayetteville. Working for Peter Nierengarten, and later for Alison Jumper, in the Parks and Recreation Department as an Urban Forester, was an invaluable experience for my professional life. Not only did I learn about city sustainability and urban forestry management, but I learned what it’s like to work for awesome bosses who give straightforward feedback and care about their employees’ growth.
I was then given the opportunity to work for Entegrity Partners in the Sustainability Department for the queen, Meredith Hendricks. This job pushed my understanding of sustainability by working with project teams to help buildings and landscapes achieve LEED and SITES certification by managing and submitting documentation to the certifying body. Through all those experiences, my green roof dreams had been steadily growing in the background, and eventually I had a window of opportunity to take my first step down the road of pursuing that dream. I opened Ozark Green Roofs in 2018 and have been pumping my time and energy into it since then.
What has been your favorite project to work on?
The green roof at the Fayetteville Public Library. It was an honor to put a green roof on the crown jewel of community learning in Fayetteville, our wonderful public library. Green roofs are a new market and concept here in Arkansas, and we love that a green roof is on display to educate the public about its benefits.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is that I’m just one person, and there are only 24 hours in the day. There are so many ways I want to grow Ozark Green Roofs, but I have to be patient and stay focused on the highest priority tasks (which aren’t always the most fun and creative).
What unique experiences or perspectives do you have that make you stand out in landscape architecture?
I think my focus on green roofs is unique. Also, through this journey of opening a green roof business, I’ve experienced being a woman in construction. That has certainly been a unique experience.
What are your interests or involvements outside of design?
Outside of the world of design, I like being in the outdoors with my friends and my dog. I like walking, running and biking around the region, as well as cooking and eating, playing frisbee, watching movies, traveling and seeing family. I enjoy being alive and am grateful for this life!
Who have been your biggest supporters?
A couple of buckets of people: My friends and partner, who like me no matter my job. My mom and dad, who listen to me endlessly talk about chasing contracts. My Board of Advisors, who selflessly share their knowledge with me once a quarter.
What’s the best part of your career?
Getting to stand on green roofs when they’re blooming!