Novak Environmental, Inc.

About Us

Rooted in sustainability and tailored to the Sonoran Desert’s unique needs.

Novak Environmental, Inc. is a full-service landscape architecture and land planning firm headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. Since 1998, we have served clients across Southern Arizona, collaborating with local jurisdictions on a diverse range of public works and private development projects. As a certified Woman-Owned Small Business Enterprise (SBE) in Arizona, we take pride in our commitment to quality and community engagement.

Our dedicated and experienced staff understand the unique environmental, geographic, political, and cultural landscape of Southern Arizona. We are a skilled team known for delivering high-quality work and timely services. We thrive in interdisciplinary collaborations, having partnered on many projects with engineers, architects, transportation planners, and other professionals.

We specialize in creating landscape plans tailored to the Sonoran Desert, encompassing planting, irrigation, water harvesting, and landscape buffer yard plans. Additionally, we prepare recreational area plans and environmental documents such as native plant preservation and riparian habitat mitigation plans.

Leveraging our knowledge of local codes, and our collaborative approach with clients and allied professionals, we develop compliance plans that adhere to local, state, and federal regulations. Our services include design and construction document preparation for regulated landscapes and amenities such as neighborhood parks, trails, and entry monuments. We also design specialty outdoor spaces, including plazas, residential communities, and natural habitats.



With the education, background, experience, and qualifications needed, our staff is committed to ensuring the successful completion of each project.

Our Team

Karen is a registered landscape architect with more than 40 years of experience in landscape architecture and land planning in the Southwest. Her professional background encompasses firm ownership, project management, and design work. She has extensive experience with park and trail design and environmental documents as well as compliance plans for industrial, commercial, and campus developments, including master-planned communities. She is the president and owner of Novak Environmental, Inc., an Arizona landscape architecture firm that has been operating for over 27 years.

In 2018, Karen was honored as "Landscape Architect of the Year" by the Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The following year, she received a "Lifetime Achievement" award from Tucson Local Media's "Women of Influence." Most recently, in 2024, she was elected to the American Society of Landscape Architecture Council of Fellows, reflecting her significant contributions to the field and society at large.

Tom is a registered landscape architect with over 30 years of experience in landscape design and project management. He specializes in environmentally sensitive projects that incorporate green infrastructure in the Sonoran Desert. His notable work includes the Shirley C. Scott South Houghton Area Recharge Project and the Sweetwater Recharge Basins in Tucson, Arizona, which showcase his ability to create landscapes that manage stormwater and promote ecological health. With expertise in native plant preservation and green stormwater infrastructure, Tom designs functional and sustainable systems that capture runoff, reduce urban flooding, and enhance community resilience.

Riaz is a landscape designer who loves to make the environment better. With over 20 years of experience, he knows how to use native plants and smart watering systems in his projects. He works on different kinds of places, like homes and parks, to create plans that help manage rainwater and protect nature. Riaz wants his designs to look nice and work well, helping to keep our earth healthy and strong.

A Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV), Blake is a dedicated landscape designer and GIS analyst with expertise in community engagement, sustainable landscape design, and ecological restoration. Drawing from a background in anthropology, design, and conservation, Blake brings interdisciplinary skills to each project, transforming research and community insights into impactful, resilient landscape solutions that focus on understanding the cultural and environmental dynamics of sites and their impacts on landscape design. Committed to collaborating with diverse stakeholders to create spaces that harmonize human need with ecological sustainability, Blake’s experience spans local and international projects, working with diverse communities and stakeholders to enhance connectivity, environmental stewardship, and public engagement.

Devon has worked at Novak Environmental for over 3 years, earning the rank of Field Crew Lead. He is meticulous in his fieldwork and a conscientious leader with the field crew. Devon’s certifications as a FAA licensed Drone Pilot and a Licensed Emergency Medical Technician contribute to his effectiveness and reliability in the field.

Why Choose Us?