What if one of Minnesota’s most destructive invasive species could be used to bring communities together? Recent landscape architecture graduate Sean Durbin (MLA '26) transformed harvested buckthorn into a handcrafted marimba, creating a joyful new way for communities to engage in ecological restoration through sound, design, and collective action.
Common buckthorn is one of the most invasive and persistent plant species affecting Minnesota today. Harmful thickets grow up, crowding out native species for resources and space. Its hearty nature, which once made the dense bushes an appealing choice for hedges and landscaping, now allows the plant to outcompete species necessary for wildlife habitat, erosion control, and environmental conservation. Buckthorn is so common in our state’s parks and forests that its presence is loud. Or at least, that’s how Sean Durbin (MLA '26), a recent College of Design graduate with a master's degree in landscape architecture, describes it.
Durbin believes “buckthorn’s negative ecological impacts and necessary removal sit at the heart of ecological restoration in Minnesota." Addressing a problem this large and complex requires many people sharing their time and talents. Durbin is interested in using his landscape architecture education to reinvigorate local ecological restoration efforts – a key part of that goal is making the issue approachable to anyone, regardless of educational background or previous experience. To support these overlapping goals, he questioned how he, and others, could “listen” to this “loud plant.”
He achieved his vision by turning harvested buckthorn into … a marimba! Turning a damaging plant into a delightful instrument was more than just music; for Sean, it brought his interest in reinvigorating local ecological restoration efforts from concept to reality. His creation is a prime example of how restoration sites can also be inviting and creative spaces for the public. He has hosted several community buckthorn removal events that feature the marimba – events where people come together, connect with one another, and contribute to an important public service.
Sean has taken a glaring problem within Minnesota landscapes and innovated a unique, dynamic solution. To him, community-led removals of buckthorn successfully combine public awareness of land-policy, hands-on learning, and neighborhood unity. His work shows that landscape architecture – and design in general – do not have to work in isolation. Meaningful design can look like an intentional engagement plan to bring together community around an issue that once felt untouchable. Although ecological restoration is a massive and complicated pursuit, Durbin knows “design can help connect the dots.”
Sean is grateful to the Volunteer Park Friends, who dedicated their time and hard work to buckthorn removal events, and to generous donors who contributed to funds like the Kusske Design Initiative (KDI) and the A. Dale Chapman Fellowship in Landscape Architecture, which supported his education and restoration research. Without this meaningful support, Sean says he “would not have [had] the opportunity and joy of tackling my areas of interest so freely” or been able to “afford staying in this program as an out-of-state student.”
Learn more about landscape architecture programs at the College of Design
