Scott P. Johnson

Scott Johnson's workday blends his two favorite passions – horticulture and urban planning. “That's what I wanted to do and it just worked out,” he says. He has an associate degree in horticulture from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and a BS in urban planning from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he is now pursuing a master's degree in public administration.

There is a predominant feeling among citizens that they want to see more landscaping along roadways. Usually we hear about that from the counties, that people are very interested in seeing what concepts we have on landscaping to lessen the impact of new roadways, such as creating a buffer between a roadway and housing.

And how does the public respond to VDOT's landscaping efforts?

We get letters and comments from folks about how much they appreciate the visual break that the flowers and landscaping provide. It makes for a pleasant trip and experience as they travel through the state. I really have the desire to make a lasting impact so that when people drive down the road their trip will be more pleasurable.

All of VDOT's districts have wildflower programs and we also work with garden clubs in the area. Sometimes they provide money for a certain area they would like to see landscaped and sometimes we're able to provide the installation if they provide plant materials.

The whole wildflower program came into being in the mid ‘70s when Lady Bird Johnson and the garden clubs were pushing for highway beautification.

What makes you happiest about what you do?

I get a good feeling when I see a project mature, especially a few years after its been established. I was getting my hair cut recently and I overheard a conversation about some beautiful daffodils along [a state route] in Chesterfield County. Someone said the Arboretum must have planted them. I said ‘Excuse me, VDOT did that.' It's exciting to hear people talking about our flowers and landscaping. Maybe they'll get so interested they'll get up in the morning and go see the flowers.

This is not a job for someone who's impatient. The excitement comes in watching every year and then you can't wait until the next year when everything multiplies again and a road bank looks like a carpet. I get a lot of energy from that.

How does your mission fit into VDOT's overall mission?

There are a lot of roadways being designed so there's plenty of landscaping that ‘s needed. The citizenry really wants to see more foliage to create continuity and soften the impact of a new road rather than just seeing concrete and asphalt. We're able to soothe a lot of wounds with landscaping.

I want to continue to work for the state. I love what I do and the combination of horticulture and urban development just went right together. Right now I can't imagine doing anything else. It just wouldn't be right.