Serving Nanaimo & Area
250.210.0895
Horticulturist and Educator working across landscape horticulture, plant production, and post-secondary education to create meaningful, place-based landscapes that support both people and ecosystems.
As co-owner of North Arrow Nursery & Landscapes, I oversee business operations, coordinate projects, and work in the field. I am passionate about native plant propagation and managing all aspects of the nursery. My role bridges planning and hands-on work, ensuring a thoughtful, well-organized process from initial concept through plant production, installation, and maintenance.
I bring a combination of hands-on industry experience, teaching, and a deep commitment to ecological design. My background in both landscape horticulture and greenhouse production allows me to move fluidly between design, plant sourcing, installation, and maintenance. Through our nursery, I grow and work with locally adapted native plants that inform how I approach my work, from design and plant selection through to installation and maintenance.
I also contract with post-secondary institutions in horticulture education, where I focus on teaching, learning, and curriculum development. I have taught across Skilled Trades BC Levels 1–4 Landscape Horticulture, as well as courses such as Ecological Design through the Propagation of Native Plants. My work also includes teaching community-based courses in plant propagation and pruning, speaking at industry conferences, and contributing to curriculum development through academic work, including co-writing a book chapter on greening the construction trades.
My experience spans residential landscapes, green roofs, rain gardens, therapeutic gardens, ecological restoration, and greenhouse management, with a focus on creating resilient, functional outdoor spaces. This work informs how I communicate, plan, and collaborate across both educational and professional contexts.
By focusing on locally adapted species and proven production methods, I design and deliver plantings that support ecosystem function and require less long‑term maintenance.
I approach landscape design as a balance between function, ecology, and aesthetics. My work is grounded in the understanding that our decisions can both disrupt and enhance the landscapes we live in.
I hold a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Vancouver Island University, a Provincial Instructor’s Diploma from Vancouver Community College, and a diploma in Sustainable Crop Development from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Since 2018, I have taught horticulture in post-secondary settings, focusing on student-centred, experiential learning grounded in real-world practice.
Since 2013, I have worked in the horticulture industry across landscape and greenhouse production roles, developing a well-rounded foundation in plant production and landscape installation and maintenance.
My work spans residential landscapes, green roofs, rain gardens, therapeutic gardens, and ecological restoration projects. I have also contributed to applied research in food security and sovereignty with remote First Nations communities, to ecological restoration initiatives on the Gulf Islands, and to international skilled trades education projects in Canada, Belize, and Kenya.
I approach landscape design as a balance between function, ecology, and aesthetics. My work is grounded in the understanding that our decisions can both disrupt and enhance the landscapes we live in.
Whether teaching, designing, working in the field or growing plants, I’m guided by a deep respect for plants, places, and community. I value collaborative, thoughtful processes and aim to create landscapes that are not only beautiful and functional but also resilient, meaningful, and connected to their surroundings.
I am currently available for consultation, speaking, and teaching engagements. Get in touch to discuss projects or courses.