2026 Class of Fellows: Cathy Garrett, PLA, FASLA, Northern California Chapter
MIG | PGA; Berkeley, California
Cathy Garrett, PLA, ASLA, is a nationally respected leader whose decades of service have elevated the recognition, protection, and stewardship of cultural landscapes. Over a 40-year career, she has distinguished herself through tireless pro bono leadership, advancing preservation practices and strengthening the role of landscape architecture across disciplines and communities. Garrett is exceptional for her ability to connect people, policy, and place. As co-founder of the Northern California chapter of the Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS), she helped bring national visibility to the documentation and protection of significant cultural sites. Her advocacy has had lasting impact: local governments such as Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda County now require HALS documentation, embedding higher standards into public practice. Through workshops, lectures, and hands-on training, Garrett has educated hundreds of planners, architects, and public officials, equipping them to better understand and care for cultural landscapes. Her work emphasizes "placekeeping"-ensuring that historic and meaningful places continue to serve and reflect their communities. Whether leading tours, speaking at conferences, or mentoring emerging professionals, she has consistently expanded awareness of landscape architecture's value. In professional practice, Garrett is a founding partner of PGAdesign (now MIG | PGA), where her work includes significant public projects and award-winning cultural landscape documentation, such as San Francisco's Market Street. Her projects demonstrate how preservation and contemporary design can work together to strengthen identity and resilience. Her leadership extends to influential boards and commissions, including the California Preservation Foundation and the Historic State Capitol Commission, where she championed policies that protect historic resources and landscapes. Through sustained service, education, and advocacy, Cathy Garrett has elevated cultural landscape preservation and inspired broader public appreciation for the places that define our shared heritage.
As seen in LASN magazine, August 2026.
