Rick Bartel holds a Master of Science degree in Wildlife Biology, with an emphasis in habitat management. As a water feature designer, Rick
is credited with reaching the eleven million gallon milestone. He is one of only a few Certified Master Water Feature Specialists in the entire country and has been nationally published more than 300 times
for articles on the subject of quality water feature design and installation. Rick and his water features have been featured on the DIY Networks Waterscapes Workshop as well as HGTV’s Extreme Landscapes, and he is most notably recognized throughout the industry for his development of the R.I.S.E. Method; a natural approach to rock and boulder placement techniques resulting in more than 1800 national and international awards and recognitions for his phenomenal work. He
is also a design consultant for the National Wildlife Federation’s Habitat Program with more than 250 certified wildlife refuges centered around his water creations.
Rick’s reputation for creating some of the most natural
appearing water features has taken him around the globe. An expert in state-of-the-art, high quality, custom designed waterscapes; Rick has accomplished nearly every level imaginable in the industry.
- Executive Director for the "PONDS for PEACE" Project with "Water for the WORLD", a 501(c)(3)non-profit organization providing clean, safe drinking water solutions to the world's underprivileged children.
- 2010 Water Feature Contractor of the Year.
- Winner of seven prestigious awards for educational excellence.
- Published author of the industry Best Selling book “The Rise Method“.
- Past Member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Pond Professionals and co-author of the NAPP National Certification Test and served for seven years as the Chairman of the Continuing Education Program, (NAPP).
- Member of the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society, (IWGS)
- National Wildlife Federation Habitat Program Consultant, (NWF).
- Member of the National Better Business Bureau, (BBB).
- Founding member of the Professional Pond Builders Association and chairman of the Contractors Certification Committee, (PPA).
- Member of the American Water Feature Society, (AWFS).
- Program Administrator and Primary Instructor of Advanced Level Seminars and Workshops for the Savio Water Feature Institute, (SWFI).
- Three time recipient of the prestigious Masters of Design award.
- Four time winner of the US Regional Contractor of the Year Award.
