second nature consulting

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.

Emma grew up in Billings much of her life and has always considered Montana home. She graduated from Utah State University in 2018 and moved back to Billings a year later in 2019 once her husband Jake – a Helena native - finished his schooling. When she’s not designing, you’ll find her experimenting with new bread recipes, playing games and exploring the beautiful places of Montana with her family. Emma has experience in landscape architecture ranging from luxury community developments around the world to large-scale planning projects for communities, down to working with individuals on their single family residences. Her focus is always on the user experience and using the landscape to create comfortable, beautiful spaces for people to enjoy. She now lives in Helena, MT with her growing family, where she and her husband just welcomed their second child in spring of 2024, and provides remote support from that part of the state for Second Nature Consulting.

After graduating from Montana State University, Steve began a career in Graphic Arts and photography working for several advertising agencies throughout Montana. He worked for years as an Art Director for ad agencies and web development companies. In 2010 Steve ventured out on his own founding Yellowstone Designworks, a small design studio offering marketing consulting, graphic design and photography services for small to medium size companies with clients around Montana, Colorado and California. As a marketing nomad, he enjoys the luxury of working from anywhere. Areas of expertise include print, web, photography, social media marketing and videography as well as digital media consulting. 

Steve has been providing creative input for Second Nature since the start of the business. His skills in graphic design and aesthetic quality control continues to be an asset for in-house marketing and client promotions.  

At times he can be found on the ski hills or hiking with the dogs in any of Montana’s several wilderness areas. Or at other times, he might be combing the less traveled nooks and crannies of Montana back roads and forests searching to capture that perfect image. 

A short sample of clients with which Steve has had the pleasure of working with over the years is listed below: 

Second Nature Consulting 

Red Lodge Mountain Resort

Sound Pro

Yellowstone Rock

Trailhead Spirits

Moonlight Basin

Northwestern Energy

Morup Wellness

Gallagher Law

Überbrew

Montana Cycle & Ski

Montana Power Company

Divide Bar & Grill

The Green Bee

St. Vincent Healthcare

Matzinger Electric

Yellowstone Kelly Catering

Montana Brewers Association 

Mackenzie River Pizza 

Sun Splash Spectrum Wellness

First Interstate Bank

Stillwater Mine

Montana Elk Company 

Zoo School

Ft. Collins Brewing

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