Award-Winning Work
Learn about the transformation of the Kinnickinnic River in Milwaukee from a concrete lined channel to a natural habitat, and explore the establishment of plant communities as vegetation is monitored for five years post-construction.
ASLA 2025 Game Changer
Design for Resilience Impacts in Real Time With Versatile Scenario Sketch Tool
Selected as an American Society of Landscape Architects 2025 Game Changer, Janet presents at the National Conference in New Orleans on Oct 12, 2025!
Learn more about ASLA Game Changers on the Insights page.
Process
At Silvernail Geodesign we work together to map your landscape story and reimagine what your land could be. With a focus on large landscapes, crossing private and public ownerships, I empower your team with interactive map tools and field apps to engage community and see your collective visions come to life. We innovatively couple the latest spatial technology with scenario thinking to drive smart, resilient decisions. Underpinning the Silvernail Geodesign approach are people and place, integrating the knowledge, values, and stories of the community into alternative designs for the future of your place.
Services
Silvernail Geodesign offers an integrated approach that blends design talent, ecological expertise, and storytelling with spatial technology. We custom design each project with uniquely configured ArcGIS tools, providing you and your stakeholders with:
- collaborative and efficient design support
- interactive data visualizations and scenario evaluations
- public-facing project accessibility
- living, durable, and updatable platforms
Combine our mapping prowess with our sustainability expertise to amplify your resiliency projects. As a SITES® Accredited Professional, Silvernail Geodesign has the knowledge, expertise, and commitment to reach your sustainable landscape goals.
Let us map your sustainability story!
GIS and Engaged Mapping
Power up our esri geospatial technology to capture, analyze, and visualize your spatial data, and bring your community to the table! Engaging with interactive map tools, all voices can participate in creating landscape futures.
- WebGIS
- Mobile field apps
- Storymaps and other apps
- Data visualization
- ScenarioStudio
Sustainable Landscape Design
Want to prepare your community for a more resilient future? Backed by our ecological expertise, we can help design your place with attention to its local culture and natural assets. We have experience with:
- Scenario planning
- Green infrastructure
- Conservation networks and habitats
- SITES sustainable design certification
Insights
As an internationally recognized landscape scholar, speaker, and former professor, Janet shares her thought leadership on topics such as:
- Spatial narratives
- Scenario thinking
- Bioregionalism and sense of place
- Aldo Leopold and conservation
Green Infrastructure Plan and Digital Watershed Tool
Black Earth Creek Watershed
Engaging local partners and communities to strategically locate and learn about green infrastructure practices for watershed health.
Janet Silbernagel Balster, PhD, ASLA, SITES AP, WBE
I bring extensive international and public lands experience to my practice. I spent 25 years in academics as faculty of landscape architecture, GIS and conservation at two universities, where I led projects in Asia, Europe, the Pacific Northwest, and the Great Lakes regions. Prior to being a professor, I worked as a landscape ecologist and landscape architect with the US Forest Service.
I care deeply about landscape stewardship and have been blessed to work in places around the world where nature and culture thrive. In turn, I am committed to share my talents and tools to support the legacy and stewardship of such valued places. I believe places are at the heart of who we are, framing our experiences and relationships.
My family name, Silbernagel, translates from German to Silvernail, as in a blacksmith or silversmith. To me Silvernail conveys a powerful and simple tool, made of a beautiful metal from the earth. Likewise, Silvernail Studio for Geodesign applies powerful geographic tools to help communities and landowners realize the simple and natural beauty of their place on earth.
Let’s talk!
I would be happy to schedule a demo and converation with your office or organization!
Please reach out through the form below, or directly by phone, email, or LinkedIn.
