My name is Jared DeWayne Merz and my interest in Landscape Architecture and Horticulture began when I was growing up as farm kid in the small town of Elk City located in the western part of Oklahoma. Since the majority of my family are farmers I was surrounded by the natural environment and instilled with a love of growing plants. On the other hand my grandmother was a local artist and instilled in me a love of art which stuck with me past my graduation from High School. I entered Oklahoma State University to pursue a career in the two things I loved most horticulture and art, two things which seem distant in description. However, that is exactly what I found in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture program. Now going into the fourth year of the Bachelors of Landscape Architecture program, I have found my intellectual direction in the alternative field study of sustainability. As a direct effect of this research I recently decided to pursue a certificate in environmental studies with a specialization in design for a sustainable future. I also believe that as a Landscape Architecture student it is important to continually further my design and plant knowledge through exposure to a variety of climates and plant materials.
In my free time I enjoy sketching, painting and golfing. Along with these hobbies I also love camping, fishing and hunting with my friends from Elk City who mean the world to me.
Using Landscape Architecture as my means of study, I am interested in creating a more beneficial and pleasing environment to increase quality of life through the use of plants. What better place to observe the affects of landscape on people than in the largest city in the United States, New York City. Being a Landscape Architecture student and having studied the history and practice of Landscape Architecture I have heard the monumental name of Frederick Law Olmsted countless times due to his founding of the profession and co-design of none other than one of the nations premier public green spaces Central Park with Calvert Vaux. By working in such a heavily used space I will be able to truly observe its effect on the cities overall quality of life. I am also interested in the environmental and green building movements taking place presently, so an added benefit to this internship is getting to observe a Leed Platinum project at the Queens Botanical Garden and its benefits on the environment. I also hope to expand my knowledge of plant variety and garden design through an immersion in the endless varieties of garden types and plants found at my three host institutions, which include famous gardens such as the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, designed by Takeo Shiota. Overall, through the Triad internship I hope to expand my knowledge of plant varieties and landscape practices on the east coast and how to best use them in public spaces in order to create the most environmentally friendly, beneficial, and pleasing public landscapes possible.
Now that you know a little about me I will tell you what I have been up to recently and what I have to look forward to in the upcoming weeks.
Yesterday after 36 hours of travel I made it back to Oklahoma after a three week Landscape Architecture study abroad program in Japan and Thailand. Over the past three weeks I was lucky enough to see many amazing things including some phenomenal landscapes. It was through the viewing of these landscapes that my anticipation for the Triad Internship has continued to rise and will continue to rise until my departure to New York City June 12th. My first host garden will be the Queens Botanical Garden which covers 39 acres of public land, making for a very interesting working and learning environment for the next two and a half weeks. I am excited for what's to come and will keep you updated on my experience over the next two months.
