<![CDATA[Catherine Oranchak / Landscape Architects - musings]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:21:05 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Mapping Trees]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:28:56 GMThttps://www.catherineoranchak.com/musings/mapping-treesCheck out this incredible work by Cornell researchers published in the Cornell Chronicle 8/20/26 written by Caitlin Hayes. Using satellite imagery the researchers created detailed tree mapping across New York City. The tool will be used to manage the urban tree canopy and work toward cooling urban environments. 
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Image from Cornell Chronicle August 20, 2026
]]><![CDATA[The Art and Science of Street Markings]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:07:45 GMThttps://www.catherineoranchak.com/musings/street-markingsThis NY Times article highlights the mystery behind contractor markings found on streets throughout the US. This story tells New York City's story, but the story is similar in other city's, too. Take a look and let me know what you think!

See below for a few beauties I have found.

]]><![CDATA[USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map Recent Updates]]>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 17:02:51 GMThttps://www.catherineoranchak.com/musings/june-29th-2026
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Did you know that on November 15, 2023 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated the Plant Hardiness Zone Maps? Significant updates to the pervious 2012 version were made. The updates were based on 30 year average winter temperature data gathered from over 13,000 weather stations. Areas were divided into 10 and 5 degree zones for better accuracy. Check out this link to enter your zip code and find the latest planting information about your area!
]]><![CDATA[Light Pollution]]>Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:27:19 GMThttps://www.catherineoranchak.com/musings/light-pollutionCheck out this New York Times piece on how Pittsburgh is combatting light pollution.

]]><![CDATA[Winter Drought]]>Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:37:41 GMThttps://www.catherineoranchak.com/musings/winter-droughtPicture
Rains this month are starting to help alleviate some of the drought conditions around our state. The map above
​(https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-status), shows we are inching our way out of the worst of it. 
]]><![CDATA[Peabody Essex Museum Garden]]>Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:22:49 GMThttps://www.catherineoranchak.com/musings/peabody-essex-museum-garden
Peabody Essex Museum Garden Salem, MA. Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) hosted a Garden Dialogues session on September 16, 2023. Intricate granite detailing and a rich plant palette result in a gem of an outdoor space. The museum itself is worth a visit and the garden just adds to the experience. 
]]><![CDATA[NOAA Urban Heat Mapping 2022]]>Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:10:55 GMThttps://www.catherineoranchak.com/musings/noaa-urban-heat-mapping-2022We're hearing a lot about climate change affecting underrepresented communities in particular this year where heat waves flash floods and wild fires are especially rampant. Summarized below is an article focused on ongoing studies pertaining to urban heat, check it out!
With greater risk of heat related illness cities around the country have partnered with NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) in order to create heatmaps of various communities. Volunteers have been equipped with special heat sensors that record temperature, humidity, time, and their locations. NOAA is using the information gathered by these volunteers to map heat islands in urban areas. The hope is that the maps created can aid city officials in managing extreme heat in underrepresented areas and greatly reduce the amount of heat related deaths. full article here
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]]><![CDATA[Black History Month]]>Tue, 02 Feb 2021 03:31:08 GMThttps://www.catherineoranchak.com/musings/black-history-monthToday marks the first day of Black History Month. I've been reading about the first American professionally-trained black landscape architect, David Williston (1868-1962). Mr. Williston was born in North Carolina, studied in Washington D.C., New York and Pennsylvania. He taught "agricultural science" at Tuskegee University (and elsewhere) where he was also responsible for campus planning and development. If you'd like to learn more, follow this link to the National Park Service's "Learning From Leaders" article featuring Mr. Williston. Below is a photograph of a campus space at Tuskegee University and a portrait of Mr. Williston. 
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]]><![CDATA[Helleborus niger]]>Wed, 20 Jan 2021 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.catherineoranchak.com/musings/hellebore-nigerHelleborus niger, Hellebore (commonly known as Christmas Rose) is a surprisingly tough yet delicate perennial that blooms in winter. The 2020 Christmas Day rain washed away the snow to uncover this beauty!
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]]><![CDATA[The Practice of Redlining and How to Erase It]]>Thu, 29 Oct 2020 23:21:44 GMThttps://www.catherineoranchak.com/musings/the-practice-of-redlining-and-how-to-erase-itCheck out this article in the DIRT about the practice of redlining. 

And this one from the NY Times!
See Below for a redlining map of Atlanta Georgis dated 1938.
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