This elective introduces architects and design students to the fundamentals of landscape architecture with an emphasis on the interconnections between plants, wildlife, and human communities. Bridging traditional and urban ecosystems, the course explores how ecological principles can inform and enrich architectural practice. Focusing on the northeastern United States, students will learn the basics of planting design and ecological systems—from understanding plant communities and their relationships with local fauna, to identifying which native and adaptive species thrive in urban environments such as New York City. Through lectures, field observations, and design exercises, participants will study how plant choices can support biodiversity, sustain bird migration routes, and provide habitat for pollinators and endangered insects. The course also explores the ecosystem services provided by urban vegetation—such as stormwater management, temperature regulation, and air quality improvement—as essential components of design thinking. Beyond ecological function, students will examine the human dimension: how intentional landscape design can reconnect urban residents with nature, promote well-being, and expand equitable access to green space in dense city environments.