second nature consulting

Neil Kiner and Erik Sweet lead the firm as partners and offer their clients a wide-ranging area of knowledge and experience. It is our opinion that landscape architectural elements are essential to stitch together the built and natural environments. We encourage simple ideas that lead to elegant solutions. We understand that design is a process, not a means to an end.

 
We respect the responsibility of our impact on the Earth and work diligently to promote delicate and natural solutions in our designs. 

Firm Background

Second Nature Consulting, PLLC was founded by Neil in 2016 to provide client-based landscape architectural services throughout Montana and the northwest region of the United States. Throughout his career as a landscape architect, Neil has significant project experience in recreational facilities such as parks, campgrounds, trails, and other recreation areas. He has also provided professional consulting for a large number of commercial development clients, as well as international clients. Neil has provided lead design services to public agency clients including the US Bureau of Land Management and MT Fish Wildlife and Parks, as well as private entities such as the iconic Kampgrounds of America. Neil’s work experience includes numerous playground projects for churches, private investors, and public agencies.

Erik joined the firm in the summer of 2023, and brings extensive experience in the design and construction of educational facilities, parks and recreational facilities as well as commercial projects. In particular, Erik has earned the reputation of being a top respected designer of sports fields in the Pacific Northwest/Rocky Mountain Region and across United States. Our clients include the wide range from small rural school districts in Montana to Major League Baseball in Florida and Professional and Olympic facilities throughout the Caribbean. 

Personal and Professional Development

Neil tries to enjoy much of the outdoor recreation opportunities that living in Montana offers. He graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo in 2003, and moved to Billings, Montana in 2006. Numerous powder days and hiking miles later, Neil is busy raising three children and enjoys time with his family. Since starting his professional career, he has consistently given back to his roots and communities. He has volunteered on various boards and commissions, including the North Dakota State University Architecture and Landscape Architecture Advisory Board, the City of Billings Community Development Board and the Board of Adjustment. He is currently a member of the City of Billings’ Mayor’s Commission on Energy and Conservation. This commission was responsible for the designation of the City of Billings LEED Gold status.

Erik graduated from Washington State University in 1994 and took his first job in Missoula, Montana.  Since his first step in his career in Missoula in 1994 he has moved and spent three years in Germany where he played semi professional soccer, then to Oklahoma, and back to the Seattle area to joint Base Lewis McChord.  Erik's experiences and three years playing, traveling and living in Germany and around the United States with his family and the US Military opened his knowledge of sports facility designs and he strives to bring  a very fan based experience to his work.  Erik and his wife, born in Williston ND and graduated from Great Falls High, returned to Montana in 2019 after she retired form the US Airforce.  Erik is currently the president-elect for the Idaho Montana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.