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Gary LoRusso Explores Smart Growth’s Impact on the Quality of Life

Green Living January 6, 2014 , by Grant D. Burns

 

Land surveyor Gary LoRusso makes it his duty to keep up on the latest trends in the property development industry, and no recent development has been bigger – or more controversial – than smart growth. Depending on whom one was to ask, smart growth is either a solution to the biggest problems of urban development, or an ill-advised means of making them even worse.

In order to better understand this polarizing effect that smart growth methods have on people, it is important to first understand what smart growth is.

 

 

 

The 10 Principles behind Smart Growth

Smart growth, as Gary LoRusso explains, is a theory and practice in urban planning and transportation designed to reduce city sprawl into compact, efficient areas. The proponents of smart growth argue that doing so better protects the environment surrounding a city by keeping it intact and keeping the city from building over it. Instead, cities grow inward to become more compact and accessible to residents.

There are ten guiding principles behind smart growth that urban planners adhere to when implementing the practice. These principles are as follows:

- Direct development toward existing communities rather than into new ones

- Create attractive, distinctive communities with a strong sense of place

- Preserve critical environmental areas, including farmland, open spaces, and other natural beauty

- Devise a range of housing choices and opportunities

- Craft easily “walkable” neighborhoods

- Provide residents with a variety of transportation options

- Make development decisions that are cost effective, fair, and predictable

- Mix the use of land and buildings whenever possible

- Take advantage of compact design for buildings

- Encourage collaboration between community members and stakeholders when making development decisions

 

Why Smart Growth is Important

As the proponents of smart growth argue, many aspects of life which individuals care about are affected by development decisions. These include economic growth, the environment, schools, taxes, health, traffic, business opportunities, and so on.

Because of this intrinsic connection, cities need to take more responsibility for how they develop. “Smart growth,” explains LoRusso, “is intended to provide an alternative to ever-expanding cities and longer, more congested commutes between important locations like home, work, the grocery store, etc. Smart growth communities condense these necessities into tighter urban areas, meaning that residents have shorter commutes to every amenity that they may need in a city. When longer travel is required, smart growth seeks to aid in this with enhanced and expanded public transportation options.”

 

Gary LoRusso Remarks on Where Smart Growth May Have Failed

“Unfortunately, smart growth is not a foolproof idea. For every fan of the practice explaining its necessity,” says LoRusso, “it is easy to find a detractor explaining why smart growth is causing more harm than good.”

The Social Paradoxes of Smart Growth

According to LoRusso, the biggest general complaint leveled against smart growth practices is that they are hypocritical. “Opponents of smart growth can generally agree that the intentions behind the practice are good,” he explains, “but they point out that in practice, the theories simply do not hold up.”

For instance, one of the goals of smart growth is to encourage affordable housing through better planned urban development. The more housing that is available in an area, they reason, the easier it will be to find and afford.

Smart growth’s detractors, meanwhile, point to the opposite being true. “According to many different studies,” LoRusso explains, “housing has actually become less affordable in many smart growth areas, meaning that the people meant to benefit are only seeing their problem get worse. And there appears to be a correlation between areas which rank highest in smart growth but lowest in affordable housing.”

The Environmental Paradoxes of Smart Growth

There is also the problem of the environmental effect of smart growth. “Proponents of the practice claim that concentrating necessary amenities in a city reduces the average individual’s reliance on vehicle travel and, thus, helps get cars off the road,” LoRusso explains. “Opponents, meanwhile, say that while that’s fine in theory, in practice people aren’t giving up their vehicles just because they live in a more condensed area. This means that traffic patterns are being condensed right along with them without being alleviated, resulting in thicker areas of air pollution.”

On top of this, even the issue of urban expansion into natural environments is up for debate. “Smart growth proponents explain that these practices keep cities from spilling uncontrollably into the surrounding countryside,” LoRusso comments. “Detractors, meanwhile, say that urban expansion is not as big of a problem as the proponents think it is, and that agriculture is more responsible for swallowing up natural environments than city development is.”

 

 

The Bottom Line

Unfortunately, the only agreement that can be made on the issue at the moment is that there is no agreement. “Both sides have their good points,” LoRusso points out. “Those for smart growth are saying that we need to develop our cities more responsibly for the sake of both society and the environment, and they are right. Those against it are saying that the way smart growth is going about this is flawed, and they are right as well.”

Because of this, smart growth remains a tricky issue with no immediate black-and-white understanding.

ABOUT:

 

 

As an experienced land surveyor and property developer, LoRusso offers his professional services to the community of Palmer, AK. Here, he owns and runs Keystone Surveying & Mapping, his own surveying and developing company which he founded in 1991. Since then, this dynamic organization has earned solid reviews. Gary LoRusso remains an active expert in his industry by keeping up with the latest technological advancements, trends, and developments in his professional field.

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Gary LoRusso: How “Smart” is “Smart Growth”?

According to Gary LoRusso, urban planners and government specialists have, in recent years, made a point of advancing the concept of “smart growth.” Supposedly, smart growth is designed to promote local economic growth, reduce pollution, increase pedestrian and cyclist accessibility, improve the use of public transit, provide for more affordable housing, reduce commute times, and facilitate stronger, more unique, and more interconnected communities and neighborhoods.

However, while smart growth proponents insist that cutting down on suburban sprawl is the key to creating more sustainable and livable areas, there is also a completely different side to the argument.

The Case against Smart Growth

Smart growth detractors, contrary to popular belief, are not against most—or perhaps even any—of the concept’s supposed goals. Healthier communities, shorter commute times, more affordable housing, and reduced air pollution: these are improvements that few people would say no to. In fact, LoRusso believes that the reason smart growth can be such an appealing concept to government and to other supports is that its proposed impacts are so much in line with the things we as a society consider to be “for the public good.”

What smart growth detractors question about the concept has very little to do with its goals. Rather, detractors believe that smart growth fails to achieve the majority of its goals, and can actually prove to have an adverse impact on communities and neighborhoods in the long run due to actually exacerbating the issues it is trying to solve. In short, smart growth detractors question whether or not the concept is really “smart” at all.

The Portland Example

People who are against smart growth certainly have a few pieces of compelling evidence on their side. One particularly troubling case of smart growth in action happened in Portland, Oregon toward the end of the decade.

City planners, in an attempt to create denser epicenters of life in Portland, set minimum density requirements with the goal of building small, isolated neighborhoods into teeming apartment complexes and condo communities. Under smart growth principles, the goal of the regulation was to concentrate more people into fewer living spots, in turn building stronger local communities and economies, and cutting down on personal transportation and the pollution it causes.

However, while Portland’s use of smart growth sounds like a terrific idea on paper, it didn’t work quite so well in execution. Many families, drawn to the city by the small town feel of its residential neighborhoods, rejected the city planners’ demand that their neighborhoods be turned into generic condominium communities or apartment complexes. Families who had come to Portland looking for comfortable, private homes and spacious yards were suddenly greeted by a city which wanted to destroy those freedoms.

Whether or not Portland saw a mass exodus of families in the wake of its smart growth movement has not yet been proven. However, the increased density of people in new apartment and condo communities did have a number of measurable impacts, and very few of them went along with what the goals of smart growth had predicted.

For instance, despite an increased emphasis on public transit, many Portland residents have continued using their personal vehicles, leading to increased traffic congestion in high-density areas. Since Portland’s smart growth plan dictated a move toward higher-density population centers across the board, that means traffic has gotten worse overall. In addition, housing costs, which were supposed to become more affordable, have arguably only increased.

Gary LoRusso Considers Why Smart Growth May Be Failing in Certain Areas

So why has smart growth met with failure in Portland, and does that failure mean that the concept is flawed, or merely that Portland’s experience was not the right area for its implementation?

According to Gary LoRusso, it is difficult to entirely discount smart growth as a compelling urban planning strategy, if only because creating higher-density population areas does generally create great business and economic opportunities. However, LoRusso did have a few reservations about smart growth, and he thinks these items will need to be addressed and reconsidered before the concept can become a viable one for most areas.

Smart Growth Assumptions about Transportation May Be Off Base

One of the definitive aspects of the smart growth theory is that it is supposed to make communities more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, as well as more viable for public transportation opportunities. However, LoRusso thinks that many Americans, just as they want big houses and wide open backyards, simply want to drive their own cars.

Convenience: For one thing, personal automobile transportation is usually faster than walking or biking and is often cheaper than taking public transportation. As a result, residents in areas like Portland don’t feel inclined to adhere to the smart growth provisions. If one’s own car is the most convenient form of transportation—which it is virtually everywhere other than in the biggest cities—then that is the form of transportation that most people are going to use.

Air Pollution: Furthermore, since people are still driving, but are facing greater traffic congestion, smart growth may actually be having an adverse affect on pollution. Cars in stop and go traffic tend to contribute more to air pollution than other vehicles, and public transportation stalwarts like buses cause dreadful levels of pollution in their own right.

ABOUT:

LoRusso is a professional land surveyor with licenses to work in both Alaska and New Hampshire. In his spare time, Gary LoRusso pursues music (he plays banjo and guitar), supports charities, and enjoys the escape that hiking trails, biking, and fishing can provide.

 

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Gary LoRusso Alaska

 

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Gary LoRusso on How Traditional Surveyors’ Tools Work

By keeping up with the latest technological developments in his field, land surveyor Gary LoRusso has an especially clear insight into just how far the industry has advanced throughout the years. With the introduction of amazing new tools such as aerial satellite imagery, global positioning systems, and near limitless electronic data storage, surveyors have more incredibly useful tools than ever before at their disposal.

However, says Gary LoRusso, despite the undeniable usefulness of all of these new technological advancements, many surveyors still make occasional use of many of the same time-tested tools of the trade that they have been using for centuries.

In particular, these tools can be especially useful in work such as the mapping or reestablishment of land boundaries through forests, which often present special challenges for surveyors using GPS devices. As LoRusso explains, survey work through forested areas often needs to be repeated more regularly than other areas, as boundaries and other lines can become lost or moved more easily as forests slowly grow and change over time. Particularly dense forests, however, sometimes interfere with the satellite signal from GPS satellites, making the use of traditional tools necessary.

The most commonly utilized of these traditional tools, both in the past and in certain instances today, are the compass and the chain. Below, he explains how each of these survey tools works.

Measuring Bearings and Angles Accurately with a Traditional Compass

Compasses have always been a vital standby in surveying work, says LoRusso, and traditionally usually came either hand-held or conveniently mounted on a tripod or staff. By using a compass, surveyors could get their initial bearings and set a starting point for their work, both of which are important to collecting accurate data measurements.

Before beginning work, surveyors first needed to set the correct magnetic declination on their compass to account for any known sources of local magnetic interference. This was especially important when surveying land in either the far western or northeastern regions of North America because of more extreme magnetic declination. “Traditional compasses point toward magnetic north, not true north toward the North Pole,” explains land surveyor Gary LoRusso. “Magnetic north can vary as much as 20 degrees in either direction across the continent, so adjusting these compasses accordingly was important to obtaining accurate results and usage.”

When mapping or reestablishing the lines of a property with these compasses, says LoRusso, it was important that surveyors recorded all angles according to their true bearing rather than the value corrected for declination. For less sophisticated compasses without declination settings, this translation of bearings could be performed later at the end of the survey work, although doing so presented more complications and time demands.

 

Gary LoRusso Explains the Uses of the Surveyors’ Chain

“The surveyors’ chain, also called Gunter’s chain, is a traditional unit of horizontal measurement in land surveying,” LoRusso explains. “It has long been used by surveyors, foresters, and forest owners as the preferred unit of measurement for all public United States Government Land Survey work, especially the land west of the Mississippi River.”

This uniformity of measurement ensured that survey data was easier to interpret and compare. The widespread use of this measurement was adopted after being used in the original survey work of most public land and forest boundaries throughout the country.

 

Calculating Acreage from Chain Measurements

“One important reason for the traditional use of the chain, as well as its adoption to a uniform standard, is its ease of conversion,” LoRusso explains. “Converting chained dimensions into acreage was simple and could be accomplished through a fairly basic calculation. This is why the tool was adopted traditionally and why we still refer to the measurement unit today.”

Converting square chains into acres required only the division of the former measurement by ten, as one acre is exactly equal to ten square chains. “To make calculations even easier,” says LoRusso, “what we call a ‘section’ of land is an area measured 80 chains on each side. This makes 640 acres of land, or a single square mile. These sections could then be easily quartered into 160 acre lots, or again into 40 acre lots.”

 

Using a Traditional Chain to Measure Horizontal Distance

 

“Before technological advancements in the field, foresters and land surveyors typically used one of two methods to measure any horizontal distance of the area they were working on,” says LoRusso. “These methods were pacing and chaining.”

Of the two, he says, chaining created more accurate and exact measurements. “To chain a distance, you needed two people, a compass, and a surveyors’ chain, which is a steel tape measuring 66 feet long,” says LoRusso. “The rear surveyor used the compass to find the correct bearing, and the front surveyor dropped the length of the chain along that bearing. These drop points were measured with pins to indicate the number of chains contained within a distance.”

Pacing, however, also had its uses, says LoRusso. “Pacing was a rudimentary way to roughly but quickly estimate a distance,” he explains. “If you didn’t have the time, the help, or the equipment to drop a chain for more accurate readings, pacing would often suffice temporarily.”

ABOUT:

As a land surveyor and property developer, LoRusso provides many important services for his community of Palmer, AK. Most of his work is done through Keystone Surveying & Mapping, a surveying and developing company that he founded himself in 1991. Through his dedication to keeping current with the latest technological advancements and trends in his field, Gary LoRusso has made himself a highly active expert in the surveying industry.

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Gary LoRusso | Musical Advice for Starter Guitarists

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Gary LoRusso, a professional surveyor, taught himself banjo when he was 25. He took lessons from banjo legend Frank Valentino and joined a ragtime band in Alaska. The group performed in several different venues, and he would occasionally join up with Polka Dan, a man who he first met by chance one cold New Year’s Eve while surveying in King Cove, Alaska way out on the Aleutian chain. Some years later he and Dan would eventually find themselves playing with some outstanding musicians for a cruise ship that was docked in Anchorage. LoRusso played with the Big Cabbage Jazz Band and also played space rock with the Nomadic Milkmen at the Alaska State Fair. He picked up tenor guitar when he turned 40, which he learned was not an automatic transition from banjo.

“String instruments have a lot in common,” musician Gary LoRusso says. “However, there are differences in finger spacing, sound, scales, and overall style between banjos and guitars. The same applies to other similar instruments, but your general play style is the hardest challenge.”

Learning banjo and guitar was an incredibly worthwhile pursuit for Gary LoRusso. He did not have any traditional training, though he never thinks it is too late to pick up an instrument. Knowing how to play guitar is a rewarding experience, especially the process it takes to get from amateur to guitar picking pro, a status that he says he may never achieve but is working hard at.

Research

“Before you go out and buy a $1000 guitar, do some research to see what kind of guitar fits your style and price range,” Gary LoRusso says. “There’s no need to spend an outrageous amount for your first one; find one that is comfortable and affordable.”

One of the best ways to find a guitar is to go to a music store. Most shops are staffed by trained musicians who know what to look for. Or, for a cheaper route, find someone willing to sell an old guitar or, perhaps, lend a guitar for use. Next, guitar students need to figure out how they are going to learn how to play. A lot of people elect to sit down and practice without any aids or guidance; this strategy has worked in the past, but the lack of progress often leads to people giving up the instrument.

There are numerous guidebooks, DVDs, and other “how to play guitar” resources out there. Utilize them, or purchase two or three different mediums. With the Internet, people have access to thousands of online tutorials and videos that teach guitar basics. A lot of these resources are free and are created by people who enjoy teaching guitar.

People often struggle between learning to play on an electric or an acoustic guitar. In essence, they are the same. However, electric guitars “act” much differently than acoustic because the sound is generated electronically. Acoustic guitars are much easier to practice on and help train people how to play rather than how to make noise. Once a guitar student feels comfortable, he or she should feel free to pick up and mess around with an electric guitar. This decision often hinges on a person’s musical influences and goals for learning how to play. A rock fan, for example, will most likely aspire to play electric. This is fine and the rock enthusiast’s choice, but starting on acoustic usually leads to more successful playing.

Next, Gary LoRusso says people need to learn everything there is about the instrument. “Not knowing your instrument is like being an artist who doesn’t know the names of colors,” Gary LoRusso says. “It’s easier to learn when you have formidable guitar vocabulary and understand how the guitar works.”

A guitar has several parts. The bridge (on the big wooden end) is where the strings rest. The bridge is attached to a saddle. The body of an acoustic has a sound hole with a pick guard. The neck makes up the rest. On the neck are metal frets, the marked up fingerboard with position markers, and finally the nut. The nut separates the neck from the head and tuning keys.

“A lot of people learning the guitar become over enthusiastic and try playing things way out of their ability level,” Gary LoRusso says. “It’s true that challenging yourself is useful for improvement, but you need to understand the basics to master advanced techniques and styles.”

Gary LoRusso Outlines Basic Practicing

A good place to start is with the notes. Guidebooks and the Internet have diagrams on which notes are where and why they operate as they do. Practice using all of the fingers and picking out individual notes and plucking them with the other hand. Consider not using a pick while starting guitar; it is better down the road to develop calluses and for fingerpicking purposes. “Everything on a guitar is transitive,” Gary LoRusso says. “Once you learn the basics, you’re able to apply foundational knowledge to the entire instrument.”

Individual notes make up chords. A C chord, for example, is played in at least 10 different ways. A chord is when all (or most) of the strings are played at a single time to produce a fuller sound. The basic chords (E, G, A, F, C, Dm) are easy to learn. Experts recommend for beginners to find a chord chart and learn a few basic ones by playing them over and over until fingers are able to automatically transition between them. One method for keeping this interesting is by finding easy songs that use basic rock chord progressions. This, however, leads to other learning difficulties.

While the chords for most songs are simple and revolve around a few simple chords, the style makes the song unique. First practice by learning the chords and try to keep up with a recorded version of the song. Eventually beginners learn a repertoire of simple songs that are good for practicing.

Practicing is the number one factor for learning an instrument. It is recommended that beginners practice five days a week for no more than an hour a day. Gary LoRusso says this helps develop a person’s “ear,” strumming, picking, and other techniques.

ABOUT:

Gary LoRusso is an enthusiast banjo and guitar player. He is also a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor in Alaska and New Hampshire where he owns and operates his own surveying business. LoRusso learned to play when he was 25, and he performed at gigs throughout Alaska “Whenever someone will have me,” he quipped.

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Gary LoRusso | How to Get Involved in

Smart Growth

 

 

In keeping up with the major trends and movements in his industry, professional property developer Gary LoRusso has seen how many cities across the United States are radically changing the lives of their residents through smart growth. “Smart growth,” as he explains, is a new field of urban planning and transportation development practice that focuses on the way in which residents of a city live and move within their neighborhoods.

At the heart of smart growth initiatives, explains LoRusso, is a focus on designing and developing urban communities in a more compact and efficient manner. By doing so, proponents of smart growth trends seek to make these cities more sustainable in terms of both size and the health of the environment. By reducing urban sprawl, smart growth seeks to cut down on the impact that said city has to its surrounding environment and the quality of its air.

In other words, says LoRusso, smart growth is meant to create smaller, more efficient cities while simultaneously cutting down on air pollution, environmental encroachment, and climate change.

Naturally, with such a progressive environmental focus, smart growth has been gaining many proponents across the nation. But not everyone who advocates for smart growth lives in a city in which these practices are seeing plans for widespread implementation. Rather than feel like a noteworthy movement is passing them by, though, these individuals can take steps to involve themselves, and their communities, in the spirit of smart growth. Below, Gary LoRusso explains how.

Leave the Car at Home

Environmental sustainability is one of the guiding principles of the smart growth theory, LoRusso points out. Much of the work being done during smart growth development is done with an eye toward reducing the amount of vehicles that get out on the road as well as the time that they spend there. So even if their particular neighborhood has not adopted smart growth, individuals can contribute to the movement by getting out of their cars.

“Walk, ride a bike, or take the bus or the subway if you have to get somewhere,” LoRusso advises. “Or, if you can, skip the trip altogether. The less time you spend in your car in traffic, the fewer greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants you’re putting out and the more you’re saving on gas money. You’ll also save stress from traffic issues and, if you walk or bike, you’ll be getting some exercise. The benefits are many and cumulative.”

Buy Local More Often

Another major principle of smart growth is community betterment. By making urban neighborhoods more compact and inclusive, smart growth developers hope to make them more efficient, thereby increasing local business and revenue. Individuals can have the same impact by taking their shopping to local providers whenever possible.

“Buying local is usually a bit more expensive than buying from a big department store chain,” admits LoRusso, “but the additional benefits to the community make up for it. You’re strengthening the economy of your neighborhood and supporting your neighbors. The more self-sustaining a community can be through business, the more efficient it is and the better its quality of life will show for it in the long run.”

Brush Up on Local Education

For those serious about bringing smart growth to their communities, knowing the nuances and details of that community can prove incredibly helpful, says LoRusso. By learning more about the environmental, economic, and social conditions of their neighborhoods, smart growth advocates can gain a better understanding of what methods will be most effective and what impact their decisions can be expected to have.

In addition, LoRusso points out, it also pays to further research about smart growth itself, including the details behind the theories and how other communities across the United States have successfully implemented them. “The more you learn,” says LoRusso, “the better equipped you’ll be to make a difference.”

Gary LoRusso Discusses the Arguments against Smart Growth

For all of its beneficial ambition, smart growth, like many social movements, is not entirely free from detractors, LoRusso reveals. In fact, he says, many people have spoken up against smart growth, often with the same concerns as its advocates.

“The biggest argument against smart growth practices seems to be that they do not work as well when applied as they do in theory,” LoRusso reports. “For instance, one major issue that smart growth seeks to address is a reduction of vehicular traffic through more compact neighborhoods. The idea is that the closer vital services and amenities like shops and bus stops are to residential areas, the less people will need to drive their own vehicles.”

 

But as detractors point out, many individuals are reluctant to cut down on the use of their private automobiles regardless of the convenience of alternatives. Rather than reduce traffic, then, they say that smart growth has only condensed it into a more concentrated area, exacerbating its effects on air quality and the environment.

But whether or not smart growth practices, when applied to an entire city, are better or worse than traditional growth, the ideas behind it are noble, says LoRusso. “Whether you agree with its methods or not, you have to respect its goals. And by taking the initiative themselves to implement these ideas more into their daily lives, individuals can begin making a positive difference in their communities today.”

 

ABOUT:

LoRusso is an expert and highly active professional in the fields of property development and land surveying. He is the owner and founder of Keystone Surveying & Mapping, a company which he began in 1991 in the community of Palmer, AK. By staying informed and up to date on all of the latest trends and technological developments within the industry, Gary LoRusso keeps himself as knowledgeable and relevant as possible for his clients.

 

Gary LoRusso | How to Get Involved in Smart Growth 11:40 am Elizabeth Becker

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Gary LoRusso | How to Hike in the Winter Months

 

Posted on Oct 21 2013 - 11:02am by Jed Lloyd

For many, hiking and witnessing the great outdoors is something that is only designed for the warmer months of spring and summer, but for enthusiast Gary LoRusso, trekking the wilderness in the colder months can be a wonderful experience as well. As a land surveyor and trail mapper working within Alaska, LoRusso has become quite familiar with not only the benefits of hiking in winter, but also the dangers and safety precautions outdoor recreationalists must observe when taking on exhilarating expeditions.

As an individual who has hiked for many years, Gary LoRusso explains that whenever hiking, safety must always come first. As such, those who have yet to truly experience the challenges and rewards of hiking during warmer summer and spring months may want to hold off on winter treks until they become more familiar. For those who are confident in their ability to take to winter environments, LoRusso offers a few important tips. 

Dress for the Occasion

During warmer months, individuals may be able to go out for an enjoyable hike with only a few key pieces of clothing to protect themselves from the elements. However, when it comes to trekking trails in snowy and cold environments, clothing can become a bit more complicated. Gary LoRusso encourages winter hikers to pack intelligently and to dress in layers. Depending on the environment, daytime hikes may be warm enough for light layers of clothing; however, upon sunset, it will often prove time to put on articles that can retain body heat.

Additionally, Gary LoRusso it is important to invest in high-quality recreational attire that can stand up to the changing weather conditions and elements that are typical of winter environments. For those hiking in the snow, snowshoes are a must and can make traveling much easier. Hikers in drier environments will want to invest in durable boots that not only protect from the myriad of hazards found on the trail, but also can keep feet warm. Whether traveling through rain or snow, winter hikers will also typically experience wet conditions, so it is essential to wear clothing that is water-resistant and can dry easily.

Know Your Trail

As an individual who is experienced in the art of trail mapping, Gary LoRusso says it is always vital for hikers to know the details of the paths they are following. While many trails are easy-to-follow based on their ground alone, it is also essential to become familiar with designated trail markers—these can prove vital when staying on track while on snow-covered ground. In addition, it is also important to bring along the necessary tools to prevent going astray, such as a quality compass.

No matter what season one prepares to hike in, it is always important to map out a trail ahead of time. Providing this plan to a park ranger can provide extra assurance in the event that a hiking group does not make it to its destination on schedule. In the case of an emergency, such detailed plans will make it much easier for authorities to find your group in time and provide whatever assistance may be necessary.

Take it Slow

Those who are going on extended hikes and plan to camp overnight as they pursue a trail must remember that “slow and steady” wins the race. Overworking yourself or your group can make your hike less enjoyable, as well as heighten risks. Gary LoRusso encourages winter hikers to hike during daylight hours only, leaving enough time to set up camp before nightfall.

Do Not Be Afraid to Turn Around

For many outdoor enthusiasts, hiking is all about witnessing surprises in nature and its awesome qualities. However, not every surprise is a good one—so it is essential that all enthusiasts learn to recognize when it is time to change plans and turnaround. According to Gary LoRusso, those hiking in the winter should remain cautious of severe weather conditions, injuries and other obstacles that may compromise the safety of the trek. While hikers may feel they have failed by turning around, LoRusso explains that protecting one’s livelihood must remain essential when exploring the outdoors—especially in extreme winter conditions.

Gary LoRusso | What to Pack for Winter Hikes

While many hikers are familiar with the concept of packing light for easier travel, it is important to recognize that trekking during the winter will require more gear than a warm weather adventure. According to Gary LoRusso, it is not only important to know what quality resources to bring, but also how to use them appropriately if needed.

In addition to bringing snowshoes along for traveling through snow-covered ground, LoRusso notes that those hiking at certain elevations—or cold environments—may experience icy surfaces. Slipping on ice can result in severe injury for many hikers and derail plans for safe travel, so it is always a good idea to bring along durable crampons. Crampons are metal spikes for footwear that can make traveling through icy environments much more manageable.

There are a myriad of hiking supplies that winter hikers will want to consider bringing along—including lighting and communication devices. However, in addition to these resources, it is essential to not forget about the simpler commodities that can ensure safe and comfortable travel. For instance, Gary LoRusso reminds all winter hikers to pack sufficient water supplies, extensive first-aid kits and sunscreen, no matter what terrain or environment they plan to explore.

 

ABOUT:

Gary LoRusso is an experienced land surveyor who has served as the founder and owner of Keystone Surveying & Mapping since 1991. Having graduated from Paul Smith University in 1977 with a degree in surveying, LoRusso has remained an active professional in the industry and has successfully navigated trends and technological advancements within the field. Today, as a business owner and certified land surveyor in Alaska, he is responsible for supervising employees, managing multi-million dollar developments, and bolstering his business. As a noted entrepreneur, LoRusso is also credited as a previous owner and broker for Munford Real Estate, another company he started. In addition to his professional pursuits, LoRusso is passionate about outdoor recreation—including biking, hiking and trail mapping—music and community service.

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Gary LoRusso | Why Land Surveying is Vital

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Posted on Oct 21 2013 - 10:52am by Jackie Bigford

Since 1977—after earning a degree in surveying from Paul Smith University in New York—Gary LoRusso has served as a proud land surveyor, carefully navigating trends and practices in an industry that remains critical to development today. Although many industries have dramatically changed or grown obsolete over the years, LoRusso and many others in his field continue to represent the reasons why land surveying proves a vital service in today’s fast-growing society.

As a professional land surveyor who serves as the founder and owner of Keystone Surveying & Mapping in Alaska, Gary LoRusso believes it is essential that all those interested in land development, construction, architecture and planning understand the crucial benefits that his industry offers. As such, LoRusso highlights a few key reasons why land surveying remains a vital force in the growth of the United States and its resources:

Land Surveying Serves Every Sector of Development

There are many reasons for land owners, investors and entrepreneurs to pursue the development of land. While construction projects are designed to serve the needs of many industries and markets—such as those found in residential housing, commercial real estate, public resources, industrial development and manufacturing facilities—these comprehensive ventures begin with the input of a trusted land surveyor.

While a lot goes into the planning of any new development, Gary LoRusso explains that land surveyors are one of the first authorities to begin work on the actual property. The information that a land surveyor provides is critical on many levels and can ensure that whatever investment is being pursued can be done so accurately and safely. For example, land surveyors not only identify the boundaries and development restrictions of a project, but can also provide vital information related to insurance costs and construction expenses.

Land Surveyors Work to Protect the Environment

As a professional who values the beauty of nature and the thrill of outdoor recreation, Gary LoRusso is proud to serve as a land surveyor. Specifically, he says land surveyors play a critical role in not only developing structurally sound buildings, but also helping maintain the overall sustainability of the natural environment. Through comprehensive tools and measurements, land surveyors collect data that helps developers understand the environmental impact that new construction will carry.

As eco-friendliness and sustainability remain top factors in many development projects throughout the United States, land surveyors help provide the information that ensures developers can pursue their ventures with confidence and meet environmental safety needs.

Land Surveyors Help Maintain the Law

Although land surveyors are not attorneys or do not work in law enforcement, the information they provide is essential in many cases to help make sure citizens and developers build within the legal restrictions that have been established within a certain area. Meeting these legal criteria is essential for all new projects, but according to Gary LoRusso, land surveyors are also frequently used to help settle legal disputes that may surround buildings and properties that are already in existence.

For instance, a land surveyor may help determine whether a shopping mall’s expansion will infringe on the property rights of other business owners or even that of the general public. Land surveyors may also serve as a trusted reference point for smaller disputes, such as in cases where homeowners must establish their rights to put up fencing, build swimming pools or pursue other land development projects.

Land Surveyors Protect Public Safety

Through boundary surveys, land surveyors may work to establish the legal restrictions and construction limitations that a construction project must respect. However, Gary LoRusso adds that these professionals also work to support structural and public safety through topographical surveys.

By mapping out the three-dimensional landscape of a physical property, land surveyors can provide all those involved in construction with the data necessary to determine whether a certain path of development is safe for the public. For example, if a business entity wishes to pursue an elevation in a region that holds height limitations—such as to prevent damage from earthquakes—land surveyors can make sure that such an addition will work within the confines of legal restrictions designed for public safety.

Gary LoRusso | What Are the Benefits of Working in Land Surveying?

Having found success as a business owner and professional land surveyor, Gary LoRusso is a strong advocate of encouraging interested individuals to pursue careers in this field. While challenging, LoRusso explains that there are a myriad of benefits to working as a land surveyor that are not found within many other professions.

Change of Scenery

As land surveyors are recruited to address the development and construction needs of various projects, there are many opportunities for these professionals to work in different environments. Those who choose to pursue a career in land survey will find that they have immense opportunity to work outdoors, visit interesting locations and take on new challenges in various environments.

Participating in Technological Progress

As technology continues to evolve, many professionals have grown concerned that their line of work is quickly becoming unnecessary and outmoded. Fortunately, Gary LoRusso says land surveyors have found that as society progresses at a rapid rate, their services are more important than ever. As such, these professionals have an incredible opportunity to learn new technical skills and work with incredible modern resources as they map out and survey the land to which they are assigned.

Building the Future

No matter how small the job, land surveyors have an incredible opportunity to help build the future. Whether working to survey land for housing construction or a new public resource, these professionals play a vital role in advancing the quality of life for citizens across the globe. Having participated in this industry for more than 35 years, Gary LoRusso is continuously honored to help build America through the services that he and his team at Keystone Surveying & Mapping provide.

 

 

ABOUT:

Gary LoRusso is an experienced land surveyor who has served as the founder and owner of Keystone Surveying & Mapping since 1991. Having graduated from Paul Smith University in 1977 with a degree in surveying, LoRusso has remained an active professional in the industry and has successfully navigated trends and technological advancements within the field. Today, as a business owner and certified land surveyor in Alaska, he is responsible for supervising employees, managing multi-million dollar developments, and bolstering his business. As a noted entrepreneur, LoRusso is also credited as a previous owner and broker for Munford Real Estate, another company he started. In addition to his professional pursuits, LoRusso is passionate about outdoor recreation—including biking, hiking and trail mapping—music and community service.