Question
My question is this: i am a high school senior and im trying to decide a major for college. one of my favorite things to do is go to zoos, or amusement parks to see how the landscaped, with plants, water, and just the overall layout of them. would landscape architecture be the career field for this type of stuff, or is that something else. if so, can you give me some more information on this kind of work. thanks

Answer
When I was a High school senior, I enjoyed the outdoors, and crafting nice landscaping around our house.   I had the benefit of growing up with a parent who was a city planner and landscape architect.  Landscape Architecture is more than plants and pretty spaces.  It is an interesting study in how people interact in, move through, and use the outdoor environment.  Its pretty cool.  It's the joining of the indoor world with the outdoor world, and a little artistic flare mixed in.  

The day-to-day part of my profession is what you make of it.  Some of the folks in my industry travel the world designing memorials, special places, or destination resorts.  Others look to improve their own communities in helping create spaces that give people the opportunity to 揼et outside and do stuff?  Sometimes these experiences are passive like sitting and watching the world go by, or active, like an amusement parks or golf courses.  

Another big component of what we do is efficient use of resources and conservation of our natural environment, but its not just being a 揼reenie? and getting all the people 搊ut?of a special place, its trying to match up appropriate uses without destroying the beauty of unique places.  While most of the folks I went to school with now work in the private sector, some are working for various forest services (State and National), or government organizations.  

Civic/city/regional planning is a related field to Landscape Architecture卼hough if you ask a planner, they'd probably see it the other way around!   Its just people moving through an outdoor space in a larger way (by car, bike, plane, skis/snow board, dirt bike, hang-glider, etc.)  

This profession is just as you describe - a big part of the layout of unique spaces is our responsibility.  We combine the plants, concrete, water, and other building elements outside much as an architect forms walls, doors and windows to create an indoor space - generally, for people's benefit, and not just as an art-form.  Though,  there are some places that are to be seen and not walked all over (Mt. Rushmore, Japanese rock gardens, historical ruins, war memorials, as examples)

For more on career opportunities in this field, check out the website of my profession's national group, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) at http://www.asla.org/nonmembers/recruitment/recruitment.html

Also check out related professional societies ?Many in my profession 揷ross over?these various career groupings.

Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) http://www.laprofession.org/
The American Planning Association (APA) http://www.planning.org/
American Institute of Architects (AIA) aia.org/
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) http://www.nrpa.org/

Hope it helps!