As an eighth generation Oregonian, Bethany Rydmark possesses a unique sensibility toward the natural environment and offers her care and experience as a landscape architect in the Pacific Northwest. Raised on a grass seed and nursery stock farm on the French Prairie of the Willamette Valley, Bethany witnessed first hand the balance of hard work with nature's cycles of growth, beauty, respite, and renewal. She brings the joy of seasonal surprises and the beauty of growing life to each design, large and small, and enjoys working to bring clients' hopes to fruition.
Bethany holds a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon's School of Architecture and Allied Arts and is Registered Landscape Architect #705 in the State of Oregon.
Experience
:: PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
State of Oregon Registered Landscape Architect #705
:: EDUCATION
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, University of Oregon March 2006
Study Abroad, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand 2004
:: EXPERIENCE
BR Landscapes Consultant, Pacific Northwest 2011-Present
Traveler: twoOregonians, 25 Countries and Territories Worldwide 2012
Landscape Architect: Quatrefoil, Inc., Portland, OR 2006-2011
Park Design Intern: UO Community Planning Workshop, Eugene, OR 2005
Drafting and Design Assistant: Beth Young Garden Design, Corvallis, OR 2005
Display Designer/Customer Service: Garden World, Woodburn, OR 2005
Exhibit Installation and Maintenance Intern: Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR 2004
Hospitality and Grounds Volunteer: Oregon Garden, Silverton, OR 2000-2001
Floral Assistant: Valley Pacific Floral & Interiors, Woodburn, OR 1999-2000
Nursery Employee: Blue Sky Farm and Cascade Trees, Woodburn, OR 1995-2004
:: COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER SERVICES
Stepping Stones Transitional Housing Manager, Portland, OR 2010-2011
Oregon ASLA Excom Member at Large/Education Chair 2009-2010
Oregon ASLA Excom Associate at Large/UO Liaison 2007-2009
Garden Partners Board of Directors, Portland, OR 2007-2009
Rahab’s Sisters Women’s Outreach Volunteer, Portland, OR 2008-2010
Imago Dei Community Women’s Resource Aid, Portland, OR 2008-2011
Onyx House Leadership Team, Eugene, OR 2002-2005
:: AWARDS AND MEMBERSHIPS
American Society of Landscape Architects Member and Volunteer 2004-2011
Pioneer Courthouse Square Festival of Flowers Team Semi-Finalist 2005
Resident Dean’s Scholarship • University of Oregon 2002-2006
Josephine Lumm Matsler Scholarship • UO Landscape Architecture 2005
Christmas Tree Chapter Award • Oregon Nurseries Foundation 2005
Willamette Chapter Award • Oregon Nurseries Foundation 2005
Martin Holmason Memorial Award • Oregon Nurseries Foundation 2004
Emerald Empire Chapter Award • Oregon Nurseries Foundation 2004
Nursery Employee Award • Oregon Nurseries Foundation 2002
:: FAVORED PURSUITS & ACTIVITIES
Digital Photography: Anywhere on the Globe Whenever Possible
Reading Intriguing Books: Cozy Nooks and Crannies Free Time
Drinking Montana Gold Tea: Near the Stone Fireplace Snowy Nights
Building Relationships, Sharing Life with People: Everywhere Daily
Backpacking in the Wilderness: New Zealand On Holiday
The French Prairie Connection
Long before Oregon was a state, many years before the Oregon Trail brought wagons west, my great (x5) grandfather Etienne Lucier retired from his position as a fur trapper with the Hudson's Bay Company and sought to make a new life on the fertile soil between the Willamette and Pudding Rivers. He and his wife Josephte Nouite of the Wakashan Kwak’wala people built a home amongst the Ahantchuyuk Kalapuyans. Starting with a few seeds and tools, they eventually built a robust farm of livestock, peach orchards, and wheat fields, and Etienne became known as the First Farmer of Oregon of European descent.
When fellow French Canadian/Métis settlers joined Etienne and Josephte in creating a new community, their chosen land earned the nickname of the French Prairie. For more fascinating history, I recommend At the Hearth of the Crossed Races. I honor and acknowledge both the native peoples and newcomers to whom my story is inextricably linked, and with this complex legacy, I carry hope for reconciliation through deeper relationships with each other and the water, land, and sky that knit us together.
To this day, my extended family lives and farms in the French Prairie region of the Willamette Valley, and my roots grow deep in the same rich soil. It's my honor and privilege to continue caring for the people and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
ASSOCIATE CONTRACT LANDSCAPE DESIGNER + PROJECT MANAGER
Abigail Leonard brings enthusiasm and ingenuity from the east coast to work here in the Pacific Northwest. With a background in art and garden care, she designs plantings compositions with thoughtfulness for movement, light, and color, and streamlining maintenance requirements that focus on ecological improvement. Abigail holds a Masters in Landscape Architecture degree from Morgan State University, drawing from an invaluable education that inspires her to stay active in contributing her skills for racial and environmental justice, community vision, outreach, and landscape design. When she’s not helping craft and detail beautiful gardens with the Bethany Rydmark :: Landscapes team, she’s tending to two sweet children and helping regenerate ecologically sound environments through Phoenix Habitats.
ASSOCIATE CONTRACT LANDSCAPE DESIGNER + GeNERAL WHIZ
Eden Haskins-Dahl grew up enjoying Portland city parks and exploring Oregon’s natural landscapes. Her love of art and passion for environmental stewardship led her to pursue a landscape architecture degree at the University of Oregon. Eden’s experience working as an environmental educator on Catalina Island fueled her commitment to environmental justice, and she also works with the nonprofit Depave, creating green space combating racial inequity and climate change to create more resilient and livable communities. Eden is a ceramic enthusiast and is happiest in the garden, basking in the sun or collecting rocks at the beach.