Roots First Design has been designing and planning regenerative design projects for over 10 years. We are passionate about connecting people with nature.
Welcome. We’re glad you’re here!
My name is Kristen Ford Haaf and I’m the founder of Roots First. I’m a landscape architect, also trained in environmental planning and permaculture. A true plant-lover, I bring decades of hands-on experience on projects of various scales.
I’m also a mother who strives to build a home where my kids can eat home-grown produce and connect deeply with nature.
My work isn’t just a job, it’s my passion.
What is regenerative design?
The word ‘regenerative’ comes from the Latin regenerare, meaning renewal.
Regenerative design means designing in this spirit of renewal.
For our team, this means creating places that allow life to thrive. It means restoring wildlife habitat and building local resiliency to damaging climate events. It also entails respecting local carrying capacity and designing within global planetary boundaries.
Our Team
We work with an amazing network of other landscape architects, ecologists, environmental educators, graphic designers, and gardeners. The team is hand-selected to be a match for each unique project.
Our Clients
Rather than designing “for” you, we help you imagine and then realize your own vision. We serve as your mentor - your guide for finding your way to a more regenerative future.
We work with homeowners looking to build their family’s homestead; schools seeking to create hands-on learning opportunities for their students; landowners engaged in innovative land regeneration; communities rethinking the quality and meaning of their public spaces.
Our Community
Let’s GROW: Go Repair Our World
Meaningful climate action requires all of us to roll up our sleeves to physically transform the world around us. That’s why a major focus of our work is teaching tangible skills for building and sustaining regenerative places.
We donate 100% of profits to local educational initiatives including citizen science and ecoliteracy projects, as well as workshops and stewardship at schools and community spaces.