Business Details
28 Years
experience
Your Trusted Landscape Architecture Partner in Southern Arizona
Novak Environmental is a full-service landscape architecture and land planning firm headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. Since 1998, we have served clients across Southern Arizona, collaborating with local jurisdictions on diverse public works and private development projects. As a certified Woman-Owned Small Business Enterprise in Arizona, we prioritize quality and community engagement. Our experienced team understands the unique environmental, geographic, and cultural landscape of Southern Arizona. We specialize in creating sustainable designs tailored to the Sonoran Desert, including native plant preservation, riparian habitat mitigation, and recreational area planning.Our interdisciplinary approach involves collaboration with engineers, architects, and transportation planners to deliver high-quality, compliant solutions. We focus on developing landscapes that harmonize with natural surroundings while meeting regulatory requirements. Our expertise extends to green stormwater infrastructure, water harvesting, and landscape buffer yard plans. With decades of combined experience, our staff ensures successful project completion through meticulous design and construction documentation. We are committed to enhancing community resilience and ecological health through innovative, context-sensitive design.
Services
Native Plant Preservation Plans
Recreation Area Plans
Riparian Habitat Mitigation Plans
Landscape & Irrigation Plans
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Recreation Parks & Trails
Multi-Family Residential Design
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We offer over 25 years of expertise in landscape architecture and planning
- Our collaborative approach engages clients and local jurisdictions effectively
- Dedicated team specializes in sustainable desert landscape design
- Proven track record of regulatory compliance and project success
- Interdisciplinary collaborations enhance project outcomes with diverse expertise
Associations and certifications
- Woman-Owned Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
Services
Native Plant Preservation Plans
Protecting regional biodiversity through specialized plans that preserve native plant species during development. Our team conducts field inventories and GIS mapping to create jurisdiction-compliant designs that maintain ecological integrity while supporting sustainable development in the Sonoran Desert region.
Riparian Habitat Mitigation Plans
Restoring vital riparian ecosystems through comprehensive mitigation plans. We develop strategies that balance development needs with environmental protection, implementing on-site vegetation preservation and regulatory-compliant mitigation measures to maintain water quality and wildlife habitats.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Creating sustainable water management systems that transform stormwater runoff into a resource. Our designs incorporate passive rainwater harvesting basins that reduce flooding, promote groundwater recharge, and support urban landscapes in arid climates through efficient water utilization.
Recreation Area Planning
Designing functional recreational spaces that enhance community quality of life. We analyze demographic trends and develop concept plans that integrate recreational facilities into residential developments while considering budget constraints and long-term maintenance requirements.
Multi-Family Residential Design
Creating water-efficient landscape solutions for multi-family housing developments. Our designs focus on plant material selection, irrigation efficiency, and aesthetic enhancement while maintaining compliance with local regulations and minimizing long-term maintenance costs.
People
Karen Cesare
President
Registered landscape architect with 40+ years of Southwest experience. Owner of Novak Environmental since 1998, specializing in park/trail design and environmental compliance. Recipient of multiple industry awards including ASLA Council of Fellows membership.
Tom Carlson
Landscape Architect
30+ years of experience in environmentally sensitive projects. Expert in green infrastructure and native plant preservation. Notable work includes Tucson's Shirley C. Scott South Houghton Area Recharge Project and Sweetwater Recharge Basins.
Riaz Adaikkalam
Landscape Designer
20+ years of experience creating sustainable designs using native plants. Specializes in water-efficient irrigation systems and multi-use space planning that balances ecological needs with functional requirements for residential and public spaces.
B. Blake Houghton II
Landscape Designer, G.I.S. Analyst
Anthropology background informs community-focused designs. Expertise in ecological restoration and stakeholder engagement. Combines cultural insights with technical GIS analysis to create resilient landscape solutions for diverse communities.
Devon Kossmann
Field Crew Lead
3+ years of field experience with FAA drone pilot certification. Provides technical leadership for field operations while maintaining EMT qualifications to ensure safety and reliability during on-site data collection and project implementation.
Questions
What services does Novak Environmental specialize in?
We specialize in landscape architecture and land planning services including native plant preservation, riparian habitat mitigation, recreational area planning, green stormwater infrastructure, and multi-family residential design tailored to the Sonoran Desert environment.
How long has Novak Environmental been in business?
Novak Environmental has been serving Southern Arizona since 1998, providing landscape architecture and planning services for over 25 years with a focus on sustainable desert design solutions.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Southern Arizona including Tucson, Oro Valley, Sahuarita, Marana, Sierra Vista, and Nogales, working with both public and private sector clients across the region.
What makes your firm unique?
Our firm combines deep local expertise with technical specialization in desert landscapes. As a certified Woman-Owned Small Business Enterprise, we bring interdisciplinary collaboration and regulatory compliance experience to every project.
How do you handle regulatory requirements?
We have extensive experience with local jurisdictions' requirements including Pima County, Tucson, and other Southern Arizona municipalities. Our team prepares jurisdiction-specific compliance plans for native plant preservation, recreation areas, and riparian habitat mitigation.
Reviews (3)
Riaz Adaikkalam
May 22, 2022
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Great place to work. Lovely interior with interesting art. Knowledgeable efficient professionals staff. The firm is well versed in policy and design in Southern Arizona.
Keri Silvyn
Feb 26, 2020
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I had the best experience with Karen Cesare and her group at Novak Environmental when it game to a design-build of our backyard. We were transitioning from having young children to wanting a more adult-looking and useful backyard. Her team spent time talking to us about our desires, working through the design and then supervising the construction. I would recommend Novak Environmental in a heartbeat!
James M.
Dec 13, 2019
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I trust Karen and Tom at Novak Environmental with all of the Landscape Architecture and Native Plant and Riparian Mitigation Plans for all of my land development projects. They do a great job. They are well-versed in code requirements are respected in the industry and well known by the local reviewing agencies. They are always responsive to our needs and complete the work in a timely manner. I recommend Novak to all of my clients.
