Karen Clancy received her BA with a dual degree in Biology and Classical Studies from Colgate University, and her Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. She explored the diverse field of landscape architecture over the next 20 years, working in a variety of roles and environments including the Center City District of Philadelphia and a native plant nursery in the New Jersey Pinelands. Karen loves working to help guide, move forward, and implement sustainable projects and ideas, and her interest in native plants and ecological design has led to her current role as a designer with the design-build firm Refugia, specializing in the creation of habitat for native flora and fauna. At Refugia, she works on smaller scale projects, helping homeowners and municipalities restore properties through the use of native plants and sustainable materials. Karen is originally from Boston but has lived in Philadelphia for over 20 years. In her free time she enjoys exploring the area’s cultural and natural areas with her two daughters.