landscape designer & artist

Alrie Middlebrook Design

Designer, Teacher, Artist, Writer, Ecological Thinker

I am a committed advocate and lifelong promoter of local ecoliteracy. I’m a professional landscape designer and contractor, focusing on the restoration of California’s diverse plant communities. 

 

I am committed to educating the public and promoting sustainability through native gardening and regenerative organic agriculture. Over the years, my workshops and speaking engagements at diverse venues have provided key forums to promote systemic changes in urban land use. 

 

I believe the most expedient way to resolve our climate crisis is to reimagine cities where most of our life cycle needs will be met near where we live. Only by allowing “wild nature” and regenerative agriculture to thrive where more than half of the world’s population currently lives, can we be assured that the life we cherish will be sustained for future generations.

Awards and Certificates

  • 13th Business Environmental Awards – Open Space and Habitat Preservation/Restoration, 2004
  • Golden Nail Award – River Street Historic District, San Jose Downtown Association, 2003
  • Sustainable Landscaping Award – Contractors and Design Category, 2003
  • Women in Design, International – Paris France Recognized for designing interior landscaped atriums, 1990

Professional Background

Founded Alrie Middlebrook Design – October 2024

  • Native garden and regenerative farm designer, consultant, artist, writer, mentor
  • Joined the Environmental Sustainability Committee of Rotary San Jose, part of a global initiative by Rotary International

Founding Member – California Native Garden Foundation (CNGF), San Jose – 2006

  • Created ELSEE (Environmental Laboratory for Sustainability and Ecological Education) in 2010. A garden model, technology and teaching laboratory for students adapting to 21st century issues of climate change, protection of biodiversity and addressing nature deficit disorder. Designed as a model for the 10,000 public schools of California.
  • 76 Race St became a sustainable SITES initiative pilot project in 2009 – Certified in 2014. It is the only certified property in Santa Clara County, with 200 benchmarks recognized for sustainable urban land use by the United States Green Building Council/ SITES.
  • College internship program established 2010, serving students from 13 California and other International Universities – over 500 students served
  • Started Garden for Ghana in 2013 and Garden for India in 2016
  • Developed a Nature Badge Program for youth in Ghana and at CNGF Nature Camp with UC Davis college interns and Garden for Ghana
  • Launched Build 25 Initiative, a regional promotion for a developing network of Eat•Grow•Learn Centers in Santa Clara County, where residents meet their life cycle needs locally
  • Retired as Executive Director of CNGF, August 2024

Founder & President – Middlebrook Gardens Design/Build Studio, San Jose -1996

  • Constructed 800 California native gardens

Founder & President – Interior Landscape Design, San Jose – 1976

Selected Lectures and Seminars

  • Weekly Series: Hiking California’s Native Landscapes 2022-present
  • Regenerative Agriculture School of Population Studies and Public Health, Cape Coast University, Ghana 2017
  • ELSEE as a Teaching Garden and Arboretum American Public Gardens Assoc. 2016
  • Sustainable Eco-Learning Labs on School Campuses – Landscape Expo 2013
  • Opportunities to Design and Build Sustainable Eco-Learning Labs on School Campuses – ASLA Educational Seminar 2010
  • California Book Tour – Over 100 guest lectures 2007-2010
  • Designing with Natives – Co-taught with Dr. Glenn Keator, Merritt College Horticultural Dept. and San Francisco Arboretum

Selected Publications

  • Build 25 x 25 – 2018, Open IDEO platform in conjunction with City of Sunnyvale Climate Change Challenge
  • A Sustainable Urban Design Model: Biomimic Design – 2017, with Santa Clara University and San Jose State University student interns
  • Kalana Ecovillage Regenerative Farm Model – 2017
  • Designing California Native Gardens – Keator & Middlebrook, UC Press 2007, over 20,000 copies sold
  • Green Heart Magazine – Self-published one-time publication to commemorate first sustainable landscape fair, 2004

Published Book

 

Designing California Native Gardens: The Plant Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens

by Glen Keator & Alrie Middlebrook

Keator & Middlebrook, UC Press 2007
Over 20,000 copies sold
 

Podcast

October 20, 2024

A new EarthStory weekly

My passion to communicate what I have learned as a keen observer of California’s wild nature, particularly as I log in my weekly miles of hiking trails, has not diminished with time. On the contrary, I am even more excited to share Nature’s truth with many people, and especially the proactive youth that I enjoy mentoring.

 

I recently joined as a contributor to EarthStory, a weekly podcast created by Will Rand, a young composer and a committed advocate who is supporting a more intimate connection to Mother Earth by creating opportunities to share stories with one another. I have also begun a series of Rotary Club talks focusing on the Build 25 Initiative. As I move forward with my life’s work, you can access up-to-date comments and publications here.

Life Outside Work

I spent the first 30 years of my life in the Midwest and South. I traveled inside and outside the United States quite extensively and continue my wanderlust today. In 1974, I moved to California and have lived in Los Gatos for past 50 years. I have worked as a professional gardener, designer, and a knowledgeable plant person for 52 years.

 

I married young and had three children. Their father is David Middlebrook. My oldest, Jason Middlebrook, is a professional artist and lives in upstate New York. He earned his MFA at California Art Institute. Jason and his wife, Kate Needham, have two daughters, Violet and Fiona. My middle child, Aaron Middlebrook, is a Senior Scientist at Becton Dickinson in San Jose. He earned his PhD in Immunology from the University of Arizona. Aaron and his wife, Jenn Barrera, live in San Jose and have three children, Wesley, Winston, and Grace. My youngest child, Tess Middlebrook, earned her undergraduate degree in Theater Arts at Hunter College in New York. She trained as a chef under Wyle Dufresne, Mario Batali, and Kurt Gutenbrunner, and graduated from The Groundlings comedy school in LA. Tess is a comedian and a chef. She and her Italian husband Fede Galli have two sons, Ayrton and Joaquin, and they live in West Linn, Oregon.

 

I met my husband, Dr. Barry Slater, when I was 46. Barry is a family physician, a writer, and a playwright. Barry and I have been hiking together for 34 years and enjoying daily life together. Barry has two children as well as two children he helped raise. His daughter, Jessica Donovan, is head of a private school in Los Angeles. Jess is married to Ed Han, an environmental attorney. They have two sons, Ryan and Liam. Barry’s son, Guy, is a musician and writer. He lives in Sebastopol with his wife, Joy Bohlke Slater. They have two children, both performers, Samantha and Maxmillion. His other child is Trey Sabatelli. Trey is a drummer and musician, and father to Raymond and Lucy. Alix Sabatelli is Barry’s daughter. Alix is a connector and influencer. She has two daughters, Elle and Maya.

 

We are truly a blended California family, which continues to expand and spread across the globe. We have an annual get together in Aptos at Thanksgiving. Our family numbers 34, which includes 15 grandchildren. This year, Barry will be officiating the wedding ceremony for our grandson, Raymond, and his fiancé, Taylor Birdsong – another family celebration we are looking forward to with great anticipation.