I started Cardinal Glen Ecological Landscaping because I believe our home gardens can support local ecosystems without sacrificing beauty. In my own yard, I was overwhelmed by my dry and weedy lawn. I then witnessed the return of native bees, frogs, dragonflies, rare birds, and more as I transformed it into vibrant and resilient gardens. These changes have brought me a deeper peace, a stronger connection to the natural world, and a real sense of joy as I watch the beauty of my garden grow. I hope to bring that same experience to others. 

I particularly love designing for shady urban gardens - environments that conventional landscapers overlook or consider difficult. I’m equally passionate about creating salt-tolerant gardens with plants that thrive in the hot, dry, and compacted conditions of street-side gardens.

I also specialize in invasive plant removal. Through my former work with Garden ReLeaf and ongoing volunteer efforts, I developed an expertise in removing periwinkle, lily of the valley, buckthorn, and dog-strangling vine. I have developed an intensive workshop, Identifying and Managing Ecologically Disruptive Plants, which I offer to community groups.

Contemporary ecological planting design draws on an incredible variety of skills and knowledge from multiple disciplines - art and design, botany and ecology, agriculture and architecture, politics and history, and more. I am pursuing a Certificate in Landscape Design for Climate Resilience from Toronto Metropolitan University to further my skills in balancing beauty, infrastructure, and ecology and become a Certified Landscape Designer.

My designs and approach are informed by courses, workshops, and conferences with ecological landscape designers Claudia West, Kelly Norris, Ben O'Brien, Trevor Smith, Noel Kingsbury, Larry Weaner, and Rebecca McMackin in addition to the naturalistic design books of Piet Oudolf, Roy Diblik, Thomas Rainer, James Hitchmough, and Nigel Dunnett. Equally important has been studying the work of those focused on ecology including Doug Tallamy, Heather Holm, Lorraine Johnson, Sheila Colla, Diana Beresford-Kroeger, Travis Beck, Owen Clarkin, Jennifer Grenz, and Robin Wall Kimmerer.

I previously worked as a geography teacher in Aotearoa New Zealand and as a holistic nutritionist. I have been active in local and organic food movements, working nationally with Canadian Organic Growers and volunteering with Just Food in Ottawa. My diverse academic background includes:

- Bachelor of Arts Honours in International Development & Environmental Studies from the University of King's College & Dalhousie University

- Coursework for Masters of Science in Rural Development and Planning at the University of Guelph

- Certificate in Food Security from Toronto Metropolitan University 

- Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Secondary - History, Geography & Outdoor Education) from the University of Canterbury

I’m a member of the Ecological Landscape Alliance, Landscape Ontario, the Perennial Plant Association, the North American Native Plant Society, the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Eastern Ontario Native Seed Partnership, and the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club.

I write a garden design column for the Manor Park Chronicle, volunteer with the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project, the Ottawa Valley Buckthorn Network, the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library, and have worked with community associations, non-profits, schools, and children's groups to create native plant gardens, sow winter seeds, and remove invasive species.