Gary L. Hightshoe is professor of Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University, Ames, where he teaches courses in plant materials, planting design, and landscape resource management. He obtained his B.S.L.A. and M.L.A. degrees from Iowa State University. His current research interests include the development of a regional guide to environmental settings and associations of plants for landscape use in the north-central states. He is a strong advocate of the accelerated inventory and preservation of rare and threatened ecosystems.