Planting Seeds: Introducing High School Students to Landscape Architecture

by Megan Janssen, Student ASLA, and Ashley Steffens, ASLA, FCELA

Why It Matters

Landscape architecture shapes so many aspects of our daily lives: parks, campuses, plazas, stormwater systems, trails, streetscapes, and more. And yet, it often goes unrecognized—or misunderstood—by the public.

This lack of awareness begins early. According to Niche’s 2022 college survey data, just 0.05% of high school seniors planned to major in landscape architecture. For comparison, 1.4% intended to major in architecture, and 0.55% in interior design. A 2014 ASLA Professional Practice Network (PPN) survey similarly found that only 12% of landscape architecture professionals discovered the field before college.

These numbers point to a gap—not in potential, but in awareness. Without early exposure, many creative, curious students never realize this path exists.

And even when students don’t pursue the profession directly, early exposure still has lasting value: they may become future clients, advocates, planners, or decision-makers who understand and appreciate the importance of landscape architecture. This broader awareness strengthens the profession’s reach, influence, and long-term growth—creating a ripple effect across industries and communities.

About Me

My name is Megan Janssen, and I’m a Master of Landscape Architecture student at the University of Georgia, graduating in December 2025. I also earned my Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from UGA in May 2024. I’m from Decatur, Georgia, and I’m a triplet—one of three—and have a sister who’s just sixteen months younger.

My interest in design started young. As a child, I spent hours creating dollhouse furniture out of cardboard and building elaborate LEGO cities with my siblings. That love of creativity led me to architecture classes in high school, where I began to seriously consider a design career.

The summer before my senior year, I stumbled upon something new to me: landscape architecture. The name alone caught my attention. The more I learned about it—designing outdoor spaces, shaping how people interact with the environment, and combining creativity with land stewardship—the more it just made sense.

A Personal Perspective

Travel is an important part of my life. Each year, my family visits a different U.S. national park, and these trips have shaped many of my favorite memories. They’ve also taught me some eye-opening lessons.

My triplet brother Ryan was born with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. When we were younger, our dad could carry him over difficult terrain. Now that we’re all full-grown adults, it’s not so easy. On many trips, we’ve had to make tough decisions about which hikes or experiences are accessible—and which aren’t.

These experiences have made it clear to me: the outdoors should be for everyone. That understanding has shaped my desire to become a landscape architect who designs spaces that are inclusive, beautiful, and functional for all people, regardless of ability.

When—and How—People Discover Landscape Architecture

When I began studying landscape architecture at UGA, I quickly realized that most of my classmates hadn’t heard of the profession until well into college. Some had switched from architecture or engineering majors. Others took a class by chance and found themselves unexpectedly drawn to the work.

In a survey I conducted of current UGA College of Environment and Design students, the trend was clear. Of the 41 responses collected so far, nearly all respondents described “accidental” or delayed discoveries of the field.

My Graduate Research Project

These stories are inspiring, but they also raise an important question: What if more students knew about landscape architecture earlier?

That question became the foundation of my graduate research.

This year, I’m partnering with several high schools across the State of Georgia to introduce landscape architecture to students already enrolled in architecture and drafting classes. These students are already interested in design, but most have never heard of landscape architecture.

Through short classroom visits, interactive presentations, and design-based activities, I’m offering a window into what landscape architects do, how we approach problem-solving, and why our work matters. I’m also experimenting with different ways of presenting the material—trying to better understand what sparks interest, encourages questions, or helps students imagine themselves in this field.

Even if students don’t choose this path, simply exposing them to the option helps broaden their understanding of careers in design and the built environment.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Broader Understanding

As part of my research, I hope to expand my initial survey beyond UGA. If you're a student, educator, or practicing professional, and would like to share your story of how you discovered landscape architecture, I’d love to hear from you.

Collecting these stories can help us understand discovery patterns across the profession and develop more effective outreach strategies. Sharing your story can help plant the seeds for future generations. Together, we can grow greater awareness of a profession that so many of us are proud to be part of.

Megan Janssen, Student ASLA, is a Master of Landscape Architecture Candidate at the University of Georgia.

Ashley Steffens, ASLA, FCELA, is an associate professor at the University of Georgia and currently serves as ASLA’s Vice President of Education.