Living Systems, Lasting Impact
Living Systems,
Lasting Impact
Richard V. Piacentini | Ecotone Publishing, 2026
If something must change, what kind of change is truly needed?
What began as a mission to transform a historic botanical garden became a decades-long exploration of how changing our worldview can transform our buildings, our organizations, and our relationship with the living world.
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Buy the BookAbout the Book
Living Systems, Lasting Impact: Lessons from an Old Glasshouse is ultimately a book about worldview and what follows from it.
Drawing on decades of leadership and experiences at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Richard Piacentini makes the case that the environmental, social, and organizational challenges we face cannot be solved by better technologies or isolated initiatives alone. Lasting outcomes require a fundamental shift in how we see our relationship with nature, one another, and the systems that sustain life.
Through the remarkable transformation of Phipps into a global model of regenerative leadership, Piacentini demonstrates how a living systems worldview reshapes every decision, from the design of buildings and landscapes to organizational culture, governance, and community engagement. Rich with vivid stories, practical insights, and lessons drawn from pioneers across the regenerative movement, the book reveals that lasting impact begins not with what we build, but with how we think.
Early Praise
This is a brilliant, catalytic, and useful book, not just about the evolution of an iconic Conservatory, but about how institutions and organizations of all kinds transition to regenerative practices that amplify positive changes elsewhere. It is also a story of remarkable and visionary leadership based on principles that connect us to each other, to natural systems, to our communities, and to our posterity. A must read!
In 2006, I launched the Living Building Challenge not knowing who would respond to such an audacious vision. One of the first was Richard Piacentini, who not only embraced the vision, but made it his own - showing the world what was possible when a visionary leader like Richard decides to use his agency to make the world a truly better place. Since then, I’ve watched Phipps practice and demonstrate how to turn living systems into reality in multiple building projects and hundreds of operational decisions. This book shares the wisdom behind that journey, offering valuable lessons for anyone seeking to create organizations that contribute to a regenerative future.
To build a world where people and nature can flourish together, we need inspiring leaders who inspire transformative action. This book is just that and should be required reading for all CEOs, boards, and staff.
Phipps Conservatory has not only become a leader in sustainability and regenerative thinking but has also taught others its importance and how to implement change. Living Systems, Lasting Impact shares that knowledge generously, beyond the public garden world.
In Living Systems, Lasting Impact, Richard Piacentini masterfully connects systems thinking, stewardship, and innovation, demonstrating how purpose-driven organizations can unlock their full potential while creating meaningful and lasting value for society.”
Some books give us new ideas. This one gives us new eyes. Living Systems, Lasting Impact invites us to see ourselves and the natural world as living relationships - and to imagine what becomes possible when we do.
People will not move toward what they cannot visualize. Living Systems, Lasting Impact offers a compelling vision of how regenerative thinking can help civilization thrive in harmony with nature while building a better future.
Living Systems, Lasting Impact is a “must read” for every leader of a cultural institution, exemplifying how an organization can thrive by challenging outdated assumptions, dreaming big, and taking responsibility for its overall impact on the world.
A seminal and deeply accessible invitation to regenerative thinking. Through compelling storytelling, meaningful reflections, and developmental questions, Living Systems, Lasting Impact fosters a deeper understanding of complex living systems in a writing style that is clear, concise, and comprehensible.
The environmental movement helped awaken society to the need for sustainability. Richard Piacentini shows what comes next. This thoughtful and inspiring book offers a practical vision for creating institutions that thrive in harmony with nature.
About the Author
Richard V. Piacentini is President and CEO of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he has served since 1994. With more than 40 years of experience leading public gardens, he has devoted his career to exploring how organizations can operate as living systems that strengthen the relationship between people, communities, and nature.
Under his leadership, Phipps transformed from a traditional botanical garden into an internationally recognized model for regenerative thinking, sustainability, education, and community engagement. On the Phipps campus, he led the development of some of the world’s most advanced green buildings, including the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, one of the most highly certified sustainable buildings ever constructed. He founded the Climate Toolkit, a global collaboration that helps museums, gardens, zoos, and other cultural institutions share knowledge and accelerate climate action. Piacentini has been widely recognized for advancing regenerative leadership, sustainability, and public horticulture. His honors include a Living Future Hero Award from the International Living Future Institute, and leadership awards from the U.S. Green Building Council and the American Public Gardens Association. During his tenure, Phipps received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries.
He holds degrees from the University of Rhode Island, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Connecticut in pharmacy, business administration, and botany. Living Systems, Lasting Impact is his first book.
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Introduction: Worldview Changes Everything
Every strategy begins with a worldview. The assumptions we hold about how the world works shape what we notice, what we value, and what we believe is possible.
Combine and Save
Pair Living Systems, Lasting Impact with Building in Bloom: The Making of the Center for Sustainable Landscapes to explore both the philosophy and the practice behind Phipps' transformation into a leader in regenerative thinking and sustainable design.
Get both books for just $56.95.
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