EALA - FAQ's

Here are answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about Ellsworth and Associates, landscape architects, inc. (EALA):

How long has EALA been in business?
Ellsworth and Associates, landscape architects, inc., founded by John Ellsworth, has been in business as a Utah registered corporation since 1988. Before that time, John Ellsworth worked for private design and planning firms and for state and federal land management agencies.

Does EALA specialize in certain types of projects?
EALA's work over the years has primarily included highways, surface mines, energy, oil and gas, and outdoor recreation development (for example, golf courses and ski areas). EALA staff are very knowledgeable about these types of projects. However, we are happy to work on any project that requires our particular expertise.

Does EALA work only in the western United States?
Most of EALA's work has been in the western US, however we have strayed a time or two out of this area. We love to travel, so we don't consider any place to be outside of our territory!
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How many of EALA's projects are actually built?
Almost all of them! That is a very satisfying aspect of EALA's work. On the other hand, our visual simulations are usually based on a ten to twenty year future condition, so it can be a long time before the real project starts to look like the visual simulation!

Does EALA contract independently with clients, or is your work done as part of a team?
We consider all of our work to be teamwork. Even if it's just EALA and the client, we put a lot of effort into maintaining good communications and cooperation every step of the way. Our high rate of return client business has proven the value of this effort. But to answer the question more directly, EALA sometimes contracts independently with the client and sometimes EALA is a sub-contractor through another environmental consultant, engineering firm, or other. We are happy to provide our services under whatever arrangement works best for our client.

How does EALA charge for services?
Usually, EALA provides a deliverable product, such as a visual analysis report or visual simulation, at a flat rate plus expenses. We are open to negotiating other arrangements as may suit our client's needs.
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Is EALA involved with more traditional landscape architectural practice, such as site design and planning for parks, housing or commercial developments, preparation of construction documents, etc.?
EALA specializes in visual resource analysis and management and computer visual simulation on large projects requiring an Environmental Analysis (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). EALA's licensed landscape architects will sometimes undertake more traditional landscape architectural projects, but those areas are not our "bread and butter".

So, is visual resource analysis and management and computer visual simulation for EA's and EIS's really "landscape architecture"?
Technically, you don't have to be a landscape architect to provide these services. However, we believe that our experience and education as landscape architects in design, graphics, site analysis and site planning, and construction give us "the edge" in providing these specialized services.

Does EALA provide training in visual resource analysis and computer visual simulation?
Yes, we do. EALA has provided training in the basics of these areas for many years. EALA's primary clients are the federal land management agencies, like the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. We have trained many of the Forest Service landscape architects and almost all of the landscape architects in the BLM. John Ellsworth actually teaches a course to BLM employees (not necessarily landscape architects) in basic computer visual simulation, and he assists the BLM in teaching a course in their Visual Resource Management program.
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What qualifications do EALA staff have for conducting these professional training courses?
John Ellsworth has been involved in education and training at the University level since 1982. He has taught more than 20 different University landscape architecture courses. He has won awards for his work in multi-media training with the BLM and received similar recognition for his skills as an educator.

Do EALA staff offer services as conference speakers and as expert witnesses?
Yes, we do. John Ellsworth is available for conference presentations as well as for expert witness testimony in the areas of visual resource analysis and management and computer visual simulation. Please contact us for details.

It's clear that John Ellsworth plays a major role in EALA, but who are the "associates"?
John is the President, Senior Landscape Architect, and founder of the company. EALA employees specialize in visual resource analysis, computer visual simulation, and landscape architecture. EALA has great relationships with several sub-contractors who contribute expertise in areas that our staff don't usually possess (like engineering and soil science).
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I noticed the "copyright" warning on all EALA images on this website - how does that work?
The copyright protects the quality of the images, and of course in so doing protects EALA's reputation and that of our clients. When EALA provides high quality visual simulations to our clients, we usually retain the copyright or share it with the client. This is similar to standard design office practice (landscape architects, architects, engineers) where the original drawings are kept by the design firm with copies or prints (or digital files in today's world) provided to the client at cost. For EALA, image is truly everything, and this copyright policy serves both EALA and our clients well.

Does EALA have brochures or printed materials about your services?
Yes, EALA can provide information in a variety of formats, from standard services brochures to customized marketing packages. We are working hard, however, to make this website our major delivery vehicle for information about our services. So if you have ideas on what to add here, please let us know!

Has EALA's work been published in any magazines, journals, or books that I could review?
Yes, EALA's work has been featured in several national publications. For example, take a look at the January 1998 issue of "Landscape Architecture Magazine" (volume 88, number 1), published by the American Society of Landscape Architects for an article by Mr. William J. Thompson titled "Mining for Digital Reality". Also, "Erosion Control" magazine featured EALA's work in an article in their May/June 1997 issue (volume 4, number 4) titled "Computerized Crystal Ball Shows Finished Look of Erosion Control Projects Before the Work Begins". John co-authored an article in the Spring 1994 issue of "Landscape Journal" (volume 13, number 1) titled "Perceived Scale Accuracy of Computer Visual Simulations". He has written a chapter on "Design Principles for Recreating Visual Quality on Surface Mined Landscapes" for the book Environmental Design for Reclaiming Surface Mines, Edwin Mellen Press, 2001. He is also the primary author of a case-studies chapter titled, "Visualizing Scenic Resource Impacts: Proposed Surface Mining and Solid Waste Sanitary Landfill," in the book Visualization in Landscape and Environmental Planning, Spon Press, 2005. John Ellsworth has given many other papers and presentations to professional conferences over the last several years.

What is EALA's vision of the future (no pun intended!) for their work?
There are many important environmental issues which must be addressed as our population expands. Conflicts arise from the increased use of public lands and development on nearby private lands, especially in the western states. EALA staff believe that our expertise in analyzing and managing visual resources provides great value by helping citizens, planners, and land managers make good decisions. We are highly motivated to make a positive professional contribution toward the resolution of these challenging issues.