Mr. Mertl provided landscape architectural services for the James and Elsie Nolan Center. The center houses the community’s museum, visitor center and convention center and is utilized by visitors and residents alike. The landscape was designed to be an extension of the museum with an interpretive planting scheme, exhibits, and signs. Winding paths take visitors through an interpretive landscape that incorporates the five different native ecosystems found in the Wrangell area and includes a beach fringe, wetland, upland, forest, and alpine region. Each ecosystem corresponds with interpretive exhibits that tell about the Native culture and how they utilized each ecosystem. Petro-glyphs, fossilized sea creatures, a totem pole, and other museum artifacts dot the landscape with corresponding interpretive signs and provide interest. Work included conceptual design through construction documents. The Nolan Center is a focal point of the community.

This work was completed by Mr. Mertl while with Jensen Yorba Lot Architects in Juneau. t.