Bats are a maligned and misunderstood, yet crucial, part of urban ecosystems. Often attributed as pests, bats are major insect population controllers and biodiversity indicators with complex social systems and language. In Seattle, bats take advantage of the abundance of water and tree canopy, and are often seen in public parks and natural areas. However, the current social climate around bats is based mainly on fear of disease and human injury. Bat populations globally are in decline due to habitat loss, and from a fungus that causes white-nose disease, which can be fatal to bats. Landscape architecture is uniquely poised to address both the environmental needs of native wildlife in cities, as well as the social perception of nature. This project uses landscape design as a lens to interpret scientific research on insectivorous bats and proposes creative methods of landscape intervention to communicate these concepts to the public.The structure of this project is composed of three main elements: a literature review that examines current research being done on bats in cities worldwide; a series of field observation sessions in three Seattle parks to document bat emergence sites; and design proposals for highlighting areas in these parks where bat activity can be safely observed by the public. Data collected includes (but is not limited to) landscape assessment of bat emergence sites, number, and species of bats observed. Results and design proposals are presented visually, including audio recordings and photography of field observations along with digital collages of site design proposals. Also included are interview excerpts, key findings from literature review and an explanation of scientific communication concepts.

Recent political administrations have focused on issues surrounding immigration in the U.S., affecting the ways that immigrant communities are seen and treated. This project recognizes that the rhetoric used by political actors influences and perpetuates views about immigration, and asks the question of how rhetoric around immigration in the 21st Century has affected the identities and experiences of Mexican immigrants in the United States. Drawing upon interviews and secondary research sources, including print and social media, we construct an intertextual and diverse series of podcast episodes, which feature candid discussions with members of the immigrant community. These interviews allow us to gain a more personalized understanding of how public rhetoric, as perpetuated by political administrations and the media, have impacted and shaped the lives and identities of real individuals, families, and communities. Through this podcast, we hope to inspire conversation around the intersection between rhetoric, politics, and immigration, while providing more insight into and compassion for individual, real-world experiences of the immigrant community.