About the Team
Spackman Mossop Michaels
Spackman Mossop Michaels is a landscape architecture and urban design firm with offices in New Orleans, Detroit and Sydney, Australia. The firm was established in 1994 and has an international reputation for major urban and landscape projects. US Principals Wes Michaels and Elizabeth Mossop have been involved in a range of consulting work in the US since 2004. The New Orleans office was established in 2007 and a Detroit office was opened January of 2017.
Spackman Mossop Michaels is a studio-based design practice. We strive to find innovative ways to create healthy, inspiring and resilient landscapes. The firm has always focused on the public landscapes of cities, parks and open space systems and infrastructure. Building on a long track record of professional experience, this practice offers a responsive, design-focused service dedicated to the implementation of sustainable landscapes. All the principals have broad experience in physical design and planning and the realization of design projects. The structure of our practice allows the principals to be closely involved with all projects.
The office was awarded an ASLA National Honor Award in 2017 and the ASLA National Award of Excellence in 2012, 2009 and 2008.
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Inc. was formed as a 501 (c) (3) with the mission of developing access on the Detroit International Riverfront. The entire vision is 5 ½ miles of Riverfront property, from the Ambassador Bridge to Gabriel Richard Park, just east of the Belle Isle Bridge, and will include the construction of a continuous RiverWalk along with plazas, pavilions and green spaces. The Conservancy is responsible for the improvement, operations, maintenance, and programming of the Detroit International Riverfront in perpetuity.
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
The Sierra Club's members and supporters are more than 2.7 million of your friends and neighbors nationwide. In Michigan, Sierra Club has 150,000 members and supporters. Inspired by nature, they work together to protect our communities and the planet. Founded in 1892, the Club is America's oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Their mission is to: (1) Explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; (2) Practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; (3) Educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and (4) Use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.
About the Detroit Month of Design:
Programmed by Design Core, Detroit Month of Design is a citywide celebration of creativity that gathers designers and the greater community to celebrate Detroit’s role as a national and global design capital. Every September, partners across Detroit—from emerging studios to established companies and educational institutions—come together to show off their latest works and ideas. These cross- disciplinary events take place in all corners of the city, highlighting the talent and innovation that makes Detroit a UNESCO City of Design.
Thank you to all the contributors for lending your voices and ideas to the trees.
Brian Allnut, Suzy Berschback, King Bethel, Maurice BP-Weeks, Mye “Bells” Bella-Ray Copeland, Elayne Elliott, Zenaida Flores, Rachel Frierson, Ederique Goudia, Sue Hudnut, Andrew “Birch” Kemp, Kinga Osz-Kemp, Rayshaun Landrum, Tharmond Ligon, Jr., Tanya Markos-Vanno, Tom Nardone, Paul Plante, Christina Ridella, Quentin Turner and Dr. Leonard Weber.