Mike is a landscape architect, planner, urban designer, leader, and author with over 30 years of professional experience. Having both extensive private and public sector experience, he has designed and helped build a wide variety of projects, including urban design projects; National, State, Regional, and local parks; plazas, community amphitheaters, fountains and water features; and residential designs.
Mike has been a recognized leader in the field of Parks and Recreation for many years. In 2011, Portland Parks & Recreation (and Director Abbaté) received the Gold Medal from the National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA) as the best-managed large municipal park system in the United States.
In 2013, Mike was inducted into the Council of Fellows of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FASLA), an honor that is bestowed on less than 5% of all landscape architects in the US. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Recreation & Parks Association, and is an LEED Accredited Professional, with expertise in sustainable development and design strategies.
Mike is the author of the book Gardening Eden, looking at the intersection of environmental stewardship and spiritual faith. It is published by Random House/Waterbrook.