{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Darcy Nuffer, Studio Manager","description":" In the 95th episode of the WGI Unleashed podcast, we\u2019re thrilled to introduce you to Darcy Nuffer, PLA, a Studio Manager on our Landscape Architecture team in Austin, Texas!  Join us as hosts Dan and Katie sit down with Darcy for a lively and thoughtful conversation that spans continents, career pivots, and sustainable design. From her roots in Michigan to her leadership in one of WGI\u2019s most creative practices, Darcy\u2019s story is anything but ordinary\u2026. and it\u2019s packed with surprises you won\u2019t want to miss.  Early Days of Development  Growing up near Lake Michigan, Darcy spent her youth immersed in nature. Volleyball games, water skiing, campfires, and long summer days at her family\u2019s cabin instilled in her a deep appreciation for the great outdoors. This early connection with nature became a foundation for what would soon become her future career, despite landscape architecture not being her initial calling.  Darcy\u2019s first academic pursuit came in the form of writing. She dreamed of becoming a novelist, even moving to London after college on a student work visa to soak in new experiences that would fuel her creative ambitions. But it was there, while exploring Europe\u2019s rich urban landscapes, that Darcy\u2019s fascination with urban communities and the built environment began to take root.  Path Through Design and Sustainability  After relocating to Austin, Darcy worked for the City of Austin\u2019s Watershed Protection Department, where she met a landscape architect who inspired her career shift. Intrigued by the blend of ecology, design, and community, Darcy pursued a graduate degree in landscape architecture, becoming part of the inaugural class of the University of Texas at Austin\u2019s newly established program.  From there, her journey took her to San Francisco, back to Austin, through the 2008 financial crisis, and even into work on the Sustainable Sites Initiative at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Eventually, she returned to the City of Austin, stepping into the very role once held by the mentor who first introduced her to the industry that she had grown to love.  Leading with Purpose at WGI  Today, Darcy brings all of that experience and passion to WGI. As a Studio Manager, she plays a critical role in growing the firm\u2019s public landscape architecture practice, particularly through projects with the City of San Antonio. From park master planning to sustainable green infrastructure, Darcy leads with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and design excellence.  She also plays a key role as a frequent collaborator within WGI\u2019s multidisciplinary efforts, adding landscape architecture insights to a wide range of public and private projects that enhance Civil Engineering, Buildings, and Land Development service offerings\u2026. to name a few.  But she doesn\u2019t stop there \u2013 Darcy is also expanding WGI\u2019s sustainability offerings, including LEED and Sites certifications, and routinely consults with clients on how to integrate conservation and resilience into the built environment.  A Love for Sketching, Gardening, and Storytelling  When she\u2019s not managing major projects or mentoring fellow designers, Darcy can be found tending to her garden, working on her hand-built accessory dwelling unit in Austin, or sketching the urban landscape during WGI\u2019s lunchtime \u201csketch crawls.\u201d  A self-proclaimed poetry lover and former published poet in a local Austin publication, Darcy still dreams of writing a book one day, and she even has a few ideas tucked away\u2026. And did we mention she\u2019s a trained blacksmith? That\u2019s right \u2013 Darcy took classes at Austin Community College and still has a collection of hammers she forged herself.  Why WGI?  Darcy highlights the diversity of work, supportive team culture, and the opportunity to wear many hats as her favorite parts of being at WGI.  \u201cNo two projects are the same,\u201d she shares, \u201cand I love collaborating across disciplines to solve new challenges every day.\u201d  Tune In  This episode is packed with thoughtful reflections, unexpected talents, and creative inspiration \u2013 from London pubs to leading sustainable park development across Texas and a whole lot more.  So, tune in, and as always, stay curious, stay driven, and keep unleashing your full potential!  Visit your favorite podcast app now and subscribe to\u202fWGI Unleashed to receive alerts every time a new episode drops.  You can find us on Spotify,\u202fApple Podcasts,\u202fiHeart Radio,\u202for wherever you find your favorite podcasts.  ","author_name":"WGI Unleashed","author_url":"https:\/\/wginc.com","html":"