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Written by Chris Martinez | Senior Marketing Manager, KW Landscape Architects
At the start of 2025, our leadership team took a thoughtful look at our mission statement with one goal in mind: aligning who we are today with where we’re headed tomorrow. After deep reflection on our profession, our values, and the legacy we want to build through landscape architecture, we proudly introduced our refreshed mission statement: We Bring People Outside.
At KW Landscape Architects, this mission is more than a slogan — it’s a promise to ourselves, our clients, and the communities we serve that we will design exceptional outdoor spaces that inspire people to step outside and engage with the world around them.
The Power of Outdoor Spaces
Nature’s impact on our lives is real, measurable, and backed by decades of research. Studies show that spending just 20 minutes in nature can lower stress hormone levels by nearly 20%, while access to green spaces is associated with a 12% lower risk of mortality. (Frontiers in Psychology, The Lancet Planetary Health)
Urban green spaces also play a vital role in strengthening community ties — they can increase social interaction by up to 83%, building the sense of connection and belonging that makes our neighborhoods thrive. (World Health Organization)
As landscape architects, this is our calling and our commitment. Every outdoor space we design has the power to improve well-being, nurture community, and protect our environment.
Our Mission in Action: The Five Pillars
We believe great outdoor environments have the power to:
Create Welcoming Spaces
Build community, nurture belonging, and enrich shared experiences.
Inspire Transformative Connections
Foster harmony between people and nature.
Enhance Health & Well-Being
Encourage physical activity and provide restorative spaces that promote balance to reduce stress and lower health risks in your mind and body.
Advance Sustainable Practices
Preserve ecosystems, enhance climate resilience, conserve resources, and inspire environmentally conscious living.
Innovate with Purpose
Reimagine landscapes to meet today’s needs while shaping a sustainable future.
Bringing the Mission to Life
You may have already noticed this renewed focus in action — from the new branded KW hats that invite you to spend more time outdoors, to team site visits exploring inspiring landscape spaces in our cities.
I was reminded of our mission recently when my son Jayden and I visited the grand opening of Mitchell’s Landing, a 200-acre fully accessible park with a pirate-themed playground in San Antonio. We joined hundreds of families who were out there to connect, play, and simply enjoy being outside together. Seeing so many people embrace a vibrant new park is proof of the transformative power of our work and why our mission matters.
Behind the scenes, our marketing team is developing an external video series that brings these five pillars to life, with our team’s own voices and inspiring project footage. These videos will live on our website, YouTube, and social channels, giving all of us fresh tools to share our mission with clients, partners, family, and friends.
Did You Know?
Research shows that well-designed urban tree canopies can extend pavement life by 40%, reducing long-term infrastructure costs.
Green infrastructure like bioswales and rain gardens can reduce stormwater runoff by up to 90%, protecting urban systems and natural waterways.
Access to green space within 400 meters (a 5-minute walk) is a best-practice urban design metric, proven to increase daily use and community interaction.
These are just a few ways our profession does so much more than “beautify” — we solve real challenges, improve quality of life, and strengthen our cities.
Partnering with Like-Minded Collaborators
As we expand our mission, it’s also a reminder that we do our best work with partners who truly understand the impact of landscape architecture. From architects, civil engineers, and clients, our collaborators shape how our designs come to life — and together, we can deliver places that benefit people, projects, and the world as a whole.
How You Can Help Bring People Outside
Your voice makes all the difference. Here’s how you can champion our mission every day:
Talk About It — Be an ambassador for what we believe. Share what “We Bring People Outside” means to you and why it matters — word-of-mouth remains our most powerful marketing tool.
Live It — Make it your own. Get outdoors with family, friends, and pets on the weekends. Explore new trails or your favorite park, share your moments on social media, and tag KW so we can celebrate your perspective.
Champion It — Use every client meeting, partner conversation, or community interaction as a chance to share the story behind what we do and why it matters.
Our Employee Resource Group (ERG) is also working on new ways for everyone to experience and live out our mission together. Keep an eye out for upcoming activities, resources, and ideas.
Together, We Bring People Outside
As we move into the second half of the year, we’re excited to see how each of you will carry this mission forward — not just in the landscapes we design, but in the partnerships we build and the communities we inspire. If you have ideas for how we can grow this mission together — from sharing outdoor moments to suggesting new ways to tell our story — reach out to the marketing team or your ERG rep.
When we stand united in our purpose, we don’t just design great spaces — we create healthier, more resilient, and more connected communities for generations to come.
Let’s continue to build the exceptional, together, and bring people outside.
