Study guides · Stuff Every Landscape Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Landscape Architecture merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Landscape Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: Outdoor areas and structures
Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor areas, landmarks, and structures for environmental, social, or aesthetic outcomes.
Groan of the day: A good design has great outdoor appeal.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Environmental outcomes
Designs aim for environmental, social-behavioral, or aesthetic outcomes.
Groan of the day: Designers aim for a landscape that measures up.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Stormwater management
Stormwater management is listed among the profession's sub-categories.
Groan of the day: Managing stormwater keeps runoff on the run.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Architecture
The field incorporates aspects of urban design and architecture among many disciplines.
Groan of the day: Designers build bridges between many fields.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: A master plan
The landscape architect can conceive the overall concept and prepare the master plan.
Groan of the day: A master plan is the blueprint for success.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Proposals and contracts
They can review proposals to authorize and supervise contracts for construction work.
Groan of the day: Reviewing contracts keeps the project on solid ground.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Inside an office
The majority of their time is likely spent inside an office designing and preparing models.
Groan of the day: Office work keeps designs on the drawing board.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: The main entry area
A measured site plan records the main entry, paths, plants, lights, and furnishings.
Groan of the day: A good plan is a site for sore eyes.
Short answer: To show real distances
Defining the scale lets the drawing represent real distances accurately.
Groan of the day: Scale keeps your drawing in proportion.
Short answer: Driveway and sidewalk
The plan should include the driveway and sidewalk or path that leads to the main entry.
Groan of the day: Paths lead the way to good design.
Short answer: Where water drains
Directional arrows indicate where water drains, where ditches occur, and where water stands.
Groan of the day: Arrows point the way water flows.
Short answer: Add new walks
Redesigns may include new walks, covered waiting areas, benches, and drainage structures.
Groan of the day: New walks give people a safe route.
Short answer: Benches
Benches and covered waiting areas are suggested to make a place more comfortable.
Groan of the day: A bench gives comfort a seat.
Short answer: A plan of the design
Before visiting, obtain a plan of the design from the landscape architect if available.
Groan of the day: A plan helps you see the big picture.
Short answer: A defined point of entry
Designs are reviewed for a defined point of entry and a clear path system.
Groan of the day: A clear entry makes a grand entrance.
Short answer: Sun and shade
Designs are checked for sun and shade variety among their spaces.
Groan of the day: Sun and shade make a design well rounded.
Short answer: It should fit the design
Structures and seating areas should suit the overall design.
Groan of the day: Seating should sit well with the plan.
Short answer: Comfort and security
Designs reflect consideration for the comfort, shelter, and security of users.
Groan of the day: Comfort and security go hand in hand.
Short answer: Appeal and function
Plant choices contribute to a project's appeal and function.
Groan of the day: Plants add appeal and do real work.
Short answer: They are suited to local conditions
With a counselor or nursery, choose plants that will grow in your area.
Groan of the day: Local plants are at home in your soil.
Short answer: Pictures of the plants
Bring pictures of planting materials or examples of branches, leaves, or flowers.
Groan of the day: A picture is worth a thousand plants.
Short answer: How you might use it
Be prepared to tell how you might use each plant in a landscape design and its maintenance.
Groan of the day: Know your plants and where they belong.
Short answer: Permission from the authority
Obtain permission from the appropriate authority before studying the site.
Groan of the day: Permission first keeps you on good terms.
Short answer: The original
Make two copies and save the original before doing the redesign work.
Groan of the day: Save the original and you will not lose your way.
Short answer: Parks and parkways
Activities range from creating public parks and parkways to site planning.
Groan of the day: Parks are a public pleasure.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Hard and soft materials
Landscape architects work with hard built materials and soft planted materials.
Groan of the day: Hard and soft materials work as a team.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Environmental damage
Ecological design minimizes environmentally destructive impacts by working with natural processes.
Groan of the day: Green design treads lightly on the land.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Long-term care of landscapes
Landscape managers use knowledge of landscape processes to advise on long-term care and development.
Groan of the day: Managers keep landscapes in good shape over time.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Soil science
Landscape scientists have skills such as soil science, hydrology, geomorphology, or botany.
Groan of the day: Soil science gets to the root of the matter.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Land use planning
Landscape planners are concerned with landscape planning for urban, rural, and coastal land use.
Groan of the day: Planners put land to good use.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Stormwater
Green roof designers create roof gardens for stormwater management and cooling.
Groan of the day: Green roofs put a lid on runoff.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Environmental concerns
Ian McHarg introduced environmental concerns and layered site analysis.
Groan of the day: Layered analysis stacks up the facts.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Geographic Information Systems
His layered analysis became the foundation of today's Geographic Information Systems.
Groan of the day: GIS layers information like a good sandwich.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Materials on Earth's surface
GIS is used to analyze materials in and on the Earth's surface.
Groan of the day: GIS helps designers read the landscape.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: An accredited degree program
Landscape architects generally need university or graduate education from an accredited program.
Groan of the day: A degree helps you design a bright future.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: The L.A.R.E.
Licensure requires passage of the Landscape Architect Registration Examination, the L.A.R.E.
Groan of the day: The L.A.R.E. is no laughing matter.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park, is known as the father of American landscape architecture.
Groan of the day: Olmsted left a park-sized legacy.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Central Park
Olmsted designed Central Park in New York City.
Groan of the day: Central Park is a central part of the city.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: The American Society of Landscape Architects
Beatrix Farrand was among the founders of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Groan of the day: Farrand helped the profession take root.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Landscape planner
Career options include landscape planner, landscape manager, and landscape scientist.
Groan of the day: Planning a career is like planning a landscape.
Short answer: Training and education
Research training, education, certification, experience, expenses, and employment prospects.
Groan of the day: Research pays off before you pay tuition.
Short answer: Whether you might be interested
Discuss what you learned and whether you might be interested in the career.
Groan of the day: A counselor can help you find your path.
Short answer: Five shrubs and five trees
Identify five shrubs, five trees, and one ground cover of different shapes and sizes.
Groan of the day: Shrubs and trees make a growing collection.
Short answer: For visual variety
Select examples of different shapes, sizes, and textures for variety.
Groan of the day: Variety is the spice of landscaping.
Short answer: Where most arrive by bus or car
Identify where most people arrive by bus or car at the site.
Groan of the day: Arrival points are where design meets people.
Short answer: Existing ecological conditions
Landscape architects investigate existing social, ecological, and soil conditions and processes in the landscape.
Groan of the day: Good designers dig the dirt before they draw.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Building rain gardens
Stormwater management includes rain gardens, green roofs, groundwater recharge, and constructed wetlands.
Groan of the day: Rain gardens make puddles feel planted.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: A landscape architect
Landscape architects can review proposals to authorize and supervise contracts for construction work.
Groan of the day: Contracts need supervision, not just signatures.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: Models of designs
Most time is spent inside an office designing and preparing models for clients.
Groan of the day: Models are small plans with big ideas.
Sources: Landscape architecture
Short answer: A covered waiting area
Redesigns may include covered waiting areas, benches, new walks, and drainage structures.
Groan of the day: A covered wait beats a wet wait.
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Outdoor areas and structures. Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor areas, landmarks, and structures for environmental, social, or aesthetic outcomes.
Where water drains. Directional arrows indicate where water drains, where ditches occur, and where water stands.
Pictures of the plants. Bring pictures of planting materials or examples of branches, leaves, or flowers.
Stormwater. Green roof designers create roof gardens for stormwater management and cooling.
Training and education. Research training, education, certification, experience, expenses, and employment prospects.
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