LAUP alums help shape city of Austin invasive species strategy

Two former Texas A&M landscape architecture students helped develop the city of Austin’s new invasive species management [plan] (http://www.wildflower.org/lrp_client_docs/docs_coa/IPM%20Plan%20Documents/1_COA%20Invasive%20Species%20Management%20Plan.pdf) while working as interns at the [Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center] (http://www.wildflower.org/) .

Elizabeth Chapman ’10 and Trace Unruh ’11 conducted background research for the report, which includes a field resource book, which they also designed, that provides best management practices for invasive species control on city of Austin-managed property. The report was presented to city administrators Dec. 2, 2011.

“The department should be proud of the work ethic and internship program of its students,” said Matthew O’Toole ’10, an environmental designer at the wildflower center and a former Master of Landscape Architecture student at Texas A&M.

The center, founded in 1982 by Lady Bird Johnson, a former first lady, and Helen Hayes, an actress whose stage and screen appearances spanned 8 decades, seeks to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes.