BS, Environmental Design, University of Massachusetts

AA, Forestry, Paul Smith's College

Thomas Tavella is a visiting instructor in the Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture, teaching courses in sustainable site engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from the University of Massachusetts, and an Associate of Arts in Forestry from Paul Smith's College. He is past president of the American Society of Landscape (ASLA), and founder and principal of Tavella Design Group (Orange, CT). Thomas has more than 35 years of experience in sustainable land use planning, landscape architecture and urban design. A licensed landscape architect in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional, his leadership and advocacy for sustainable design and planning has been recognized by the National Complete Streets Coalition, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the New Partners for Smart Growth. In addition to his role as past ASLA president, Thomas served as the society's Vice President of Communications, as well as past president and trustee for the ASLA Connecticut chapter. In 2008, Thomas was elevated to Fellow of the ASLA, and in 2013 received the distinguished alumni award from the University of Massachusetts Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning.