2025 Fellows: Sally E. Coyle, FASLA, Florida Chapter

Coyle & Caron, Orlando, FL
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For more than three decades, Sally Coyle's stunning immersive landscapes have played a critical role in environmental education and species conservation at zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens. By connecting people to plants and animals through observation, discovery, hands-on learning, and play, millions of visitors experience the joy and wonder these worlds provide. Sally's landscapes not only connect visitors to conservation stories but also enrich the lives of animals by fostering natural behavior and creating spaces for top-notch care and research. At the Lisbon Oceanarium, Sally led the design for the terrestrial areas of the four ocean habitats shaping the building envelope from the inside out to ensure powerful visitor experiences and ideal conditions for live species to thrive. Working with the architects, she designed close-up views and movement to reinforce the project's underlying concept of the interconnectedness of all marine life. It has sustained its success as one of Europe's most popular destinations since 1998. The Smithsonian National Zoo's Asia Trail, where Sally led the design for eleven habitats for seven species, is widely considered a seminal work in landscape-immersion-based zoological design. Her integrated approach to habitat design and husbandry for enrichment and training laid the groundwork for increased research and set the standard for future exhibits. Sally's revitalizing design for the Majeed Discovery Garden at Florida Botanical Gardens includes beautifully designed and crafted play experiences and outdoor learning spaces inspired by both native ecosystems and exotic flora. A new stormwater pond is integrated with a large littoral shelf for emergent species as well as bank restoration of the creek.