As Landscape Construction Specialist, Josh Hasenfus is deeply involved in some of the Trustees’ most significant and highly visible projects. He works closely with each project’s stakeholders—from designers to central office and property staff members, to municipalities and vendors—and is usually juggling several different and complex projects at the same time.

This past year alone, Josh has been involved in projects at nearly 20 reservations, from the Pondside improvements at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum to completion of the Horticultural Learning Campus at Long Hill, from the renovation and expansion of Winthrop Community Garden in Roxbury to the redesign and reopening of Armstrong-Kelley Park in Osterville.

For every project he takes on, Josh is highly regarded for being a driving force in ensuring that the work is completed on time and within budget, with no detail overlooked, and with the utmost concern for quality and excellence in the end result. He is always a pleasure to work with—a great communicator, creative problem solver, and skilled mentor and teacher, Josh always exudes a can-do spirit that is truly infectious.

Earlier this fall we sat down with Josh to hear about his day to day work with The Trustees and some of his cherished memories. Read on for some highlights and watch the full video below.

What do you do at The Trustees and how long have you been with us?

I have been with The Trustees for eleven years in a few different roles, I’ve been the Landscape Construction Specialist for about three and a half years. My role  includes managing projects, mostly landscapes and site work across the state.

What are some of your favorite sites to work on?

The Crane Estate in Ipswich and Naumkeag in Stockbridge are both great garden and estate properties with lots of details. The Rose Garden at the Crane Estate is a project that stands out to me. That was an ambitious project for us, and very unique. It was a lot of fun.

The project involved a lot of masonry challenges, and working with our contractor partners. It was great to work through that.  Editor’s Note: See some of the work from Josh and our contractor in the Rose Garden here.

Tell us about the recent work at Armstrong-Kelley Park in Osterville

We just completed the first phase of a big renovation project here that improves the circulation, parking, and the gardens. We have installed a lot of new plant material, a new pond, and accessible pathways.

I think the circulation improvements and new plant material add to the visitor experience and garden itself.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

Typically when I am on site its working with contractors or our colleagues and working through the different project items and trying to advance the projects. Typical elements include a lot of site work, grading and excavation, and then we get more into the finished landscape pieces like lawns and plantings.

In reading the Trustees mission, stewardship is mentioned. What do you think it means to be a steward?

I think what it means to be a steward is to take care of these properties for public use and enjoyment.