We are an interdisciplinary design team focused on building sustainable infrastructure in communities.

We use a range of skills in urban design, landscape architecture, brand design, graphic design, digital media-marketing for organizations working on public space projects.

+ Urban Design + Urban Planning
+ Landscape Architecture
+ Project Fundraising + Pitch Deck Presentations
+ Grant Writing + Fundraising
+ Brand Design + Business Development
+ Professional Site Photography
+ Website Design + Media Management
+ Sustainability Consulting
DOT Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Planning Grant | $788,000
Walker Foundation | $50,000
Community Foundation John F. and Lucy Shackelford Fund | $30,000
Rethink Mississippi Fellowship | 2020 - $15,000
Bloomberg Public Art Challenge Grant | 2018 - $1,100,000
AARP Livable Communities Grant | 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 - $80,000
FTA Transit Oriented Development Grant | 2019 - $1,000,000
Dawn Brancheau Foundation Grant | 2014 | $5,000
APA Chapter President’s Award for Planning | Museum Trail | 2023
ASLA National Honor Award | Galloway Learning Garden | 2020
ASLA National Honor Award | READ Garden | 2016
ASLA Mississippi Honor Award | READ Garden | 2016
AIA Mississippi Architecture Award | Ecoshed | 2019
APA Mississippi Public Outreach Award | Downtown Design | 2018

Travis Crabtree, RLA, ASLA

Landscape Architect

Travis Crabtree has 10 years of experience in the field of landscape architecture and urban design. In 2020, Crabtree founded TREE, an urban design and landscape architecture studio. Travis specializes in strategic planning, transit-oriented developments, complete street networks, parks and trail systems, campus master planning, commercial spaces, stormwater best management practices, and neighborhood planning.

Travis Crabtree has 10 years of experience in the field of landscape architecture and urban design. In 2023, Crabtree founded Tree Urban Design Studio, a landscape architecture and urban design studio. Travis specializes in strategic planning, transit-oriented developments, complete street networks, parks and trail systems, stormwater best management practices, and neighborhood master planning.
Recent work includes planning, grant writing, and developing a Strategic Framework Plan for Parks and Trails, the Museum Trail Greenway corridor, Parham Bridges Park Master Plan, Riverfront Park Master Plan, Capital Arts District Master Plan, and the Pearl River Revitalization Plan.
Prior to forming Tree Urban Design Studio, Crabtree was employed as a Senior Planner leading the Long Range Planning Division at the City of Jackson Department of Planning and Development. While at the city planning department, Crabtree co-developed the Oneline Corridor Concept Plan and wrote the FTA Transit Oriented Development grant, a $1M planning proposal. He also co-wrote and project managed the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, a $1M public art grant, for a project titled “The Fertile Ground Project” that focused on creating public space interventions that highlighted issues with food access and insecurity in Jackson, Mississippi.
Before his time at the planning department in Jackson, Crabtree worked in Detroit, Michigan as an urban design researcher at RVTR. While at RVTR, he worked on a team that was developing new mobility urban design solutions for Ford Motors as the company was exploring new solutions for how EVs and AVs are redefining how we design, build, and move across cities.
Crabtree’s educational background includes a Masters of Urban Design from the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning and a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture from Mississippi State University.
Tree Urban Design Studio
Founder | Principal | Landscape Architect and Urban Designer | 2021 - present
The Plant
Co-Founder | Managing Partner | Principal | 2016 - present
City of Jackson Department of Planning
Director of Long Range Planning | 2018 - 2020
Fertile Ground - Non Profit
Co-Founder | Project Manager | 2018 - 2020
RVTR - University of Michigan
Research Associate | 2016 - 2018
Crosby Arboretum
Exhibit Designer | 2014
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Education
University of Michigan | Masters of Urban Design | 2016
Mississippi State University | Bachelors of Landscape Architecture | 2014

Ansley Crabtree

Lansdscape Designer

Ansley Crabtree is creative director and partner at TREE. She has a decade of experience in the field of visual representation and aesthetics including brand design, web development, digital storytelling, social media management, copywriting, and professional photography.

Ansley Crabtree is the creative director and a partner at TREE. She has a decade of experience in the field of visual representation and aesthetics including brand design, web development, digital storytelling, social media management, copywriting, and professional photography.
At TREE, she leads the creative direction and the brand/media strategy for multiple nonprofit organizations and urban catalyst projects including The Museum Trail, Great City Mississippi Foundation, Jackson Heart Foundation, Fondren Warehouse District, and Pearl River Project. She uses digital storytelling to share each project’s visions, goals, and objectives, collaborate with stakeholders, help fundraise, strengthen community support, and enhance engagement.
In addition to leading creative storytelling projects at Tree, Ansley is currently the Venue Director at The Plant Venue. In this role, she manages business team, client communications, the event schedule, legal and booking processes, tours, business and brand standards, and digital marketing.
TREE | Urban Design and Landscape Architecture - Partner, 2021 - present
The Plant - Partner, Creative Director, Marketing Manager, 2021 - present
Jackson Heart Foundation - Marketing Director, 2023 - present
Great City Mississippi Foundation - Marketing Director, 2023 - present
Urban Hub Co - Photographer, 2016 - 2021

Ray Neilsen

Business Development

Ray Neilsen is a multidisciplinary entrepreneur, developer, and philanthropist focused on making a difference in the built environment through catalyst projects. Ray brings 30 years of experience in business management, construction administration, brand development, marketing and communications, and strategic planning.

Ray Neilsen was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation in 2006. During his tenure, the foundation has grown to North America’s largest private funder in the world of spinal cord injury. The foundation supports scientific research, community programming, and fellowships along with educational scholarships for individuals living with spinal cord injury. Ray is actively involved in directing the foundation’s long-range vision and overseeing the investment portfolios while also keeping his dad’s legacy alive—where the accident was the beginning. Where the impossible becomes possible!
In addition to his work with the Foundation, Ray is President of Neilsen and Company, a real estate development company responsible for a number of major commercial, residential, educational and municipal buildings. Originally founded and operated by his grandfather in the 1960s and led by his dad for the next three decades, Ray continues the Neilsen family legacy of creating exceptional real estate projects.
Ray’s professional career began as a busboy at Ameristar Casinos, Inc., the company founded by Craig H. Neilsen. His father insisted Ray immerse himself and learn all levels of the organization, so he worked through the ranks and was with the company for 20 years. Ultimately, Ray served as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Ray earned a Bachelor of Science in history from the College of Idaho and a Master of Business Administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Board Member, Project Manager & Development Strategist, Brand Consultant, Partner:
Neilsen and Company
Craig H. Neilsen Foundation
Ameristar Casinos Inc
The District at Eastover
Craig H Neilsen Hospital
Two Mississippi Museums
The Plant Venue
Museum Trail
Great City Mississippi Foundation
Jackson Heart Foundation