LANDSCAPE NATIVE

We regularly give advice on native plants, urban ecology, ecosystem gardening, wildlife and landscape design, as well as getting involved with community projects that engage volunteers, students and company employees/executives.

Ben Porchuk coordinates the content research and writing; any landscapes that are designed or built are aided by key support from Sandra Murillo (below left), and technical and features support from Jeff Hathaway (below right). One of Ben's  daughters, Sabrynn and his son, Joa, provide youthful boosts of energy required on various installations (bios of all five below) that occur in the warmer months.

Ben Porchuk, in his home study, October, 2009

Our Business

There comes a time when one's passion and practice just needs to be shared with others. The point came for us after years of working on habitat restoration projects in largely rural areas, helping many rare species that had long, long ago disappeared from our cities and town centres.

Projects in rural North America are important, however, our cities and larger towns are for the most part devoid of continuous tracts of natural habitat and most of the landscaping features plants from many different regions of the world. For so long we have overlooked the beauty right beneath our noses...and cities with more people represent more educational opportunities to make our beautiful statements get noticed by others, who in turn want to bring nature home to their backyard, school or business.

A couple of key influences made us realize that our urban centres can be thought of as habitats for rare species and habitat types. In particular, two books recently published have been great sources of inspiration: Bringing Nature Home, and Last Child in the Woods. These writings reinforced the need (with much scientific evidence) to use native plants in urban areas, and to get kids involved in the out of doors once again, the way a child naturally has grown up for millions of years.

What the books do not do, however, is the actual 'how to' or the 'who to': getting a landscape artist with the ecological background, the access to native plants and the design acumen to put it all together in breath taking, meaningful, and sacred installations.

We can help you create a beautifully designed landscape with native plants and water bodies. We can do this for you in such a way to create the most sacred spot you can imagine, while  helping contribute to declining biodiversity, ecosystem integrity and even joining in the dance needed to stop the factors causing climate change. Then you become the 'Agent of Change' and showcase your garden, passing on the knowledge, experience and beauty to others.

Sandra V. Murillo

Sandra is an Architect focussed in Landscape Architecture with a post-degree in Bioclimatic Architecture from Pontificia Javeriana University in Colombia.

Sandra has an amazing perspective and deep experience in the field of Sustainable Architecture.  She has worked on several fascinating projects in Colombia and Chile combining research, design and community development. 

Her past projects have also focused on social and environmental challenges facing forest resource management.

She has taught courses at Fanshawe College, as well as courses in forest resource management and ecology in her native land (Colombia). Also in Colombia, she has worked on numerous projects that combine sustainable urban planning and several ecological initiatives that better link natural areas within urban settings.

In London, Sandra has donated much time and energy to great local organizations (such as Reforest London) and reputable community initiatives such as Sunfest, and the Community Gardens Program 

Who We Are

An ecologist by training, Ben Porchuk consults on environmental issues for London-based consulting firm that helps the new wave of individuals, organizations, and communities integrate people and their values, the environment and successful fiscal strategy. Ben networks with other experts in the field of urban ecology, ecosystem gardening, urban ecology and landscaping design all year round to continually improve this information source and help encourage others to get involved. In summer, Ben takes time off from consulting to get his hands dirty with his children (see Sabrynn and Joa below) for Landscape Native.

Ben's passion for plants and experience with landscaping and ecological restoration bubbled over into his own urban property in London's Wortley Village. Just four and a half years into the making, he and his wife have threaded together over 150 species of native plants (with some non-natives too) as well as having completed the prototype 'Complete Backyard Biosphere' (Garden Creation #2). 

"Get the people on the ground; get the ground on the people." Ben Porchuk

Jeff Hathaway (Below)Jeff grew up on the western shores of Lake Simcoe, 1.5 hours north of Toronto, Ontario, surrounded by gardens of all sorts.  After finishing a degree in Fisheries Biology at the University of Guelph and finding little work in the field, he joined a pond and aquarium construction company in Toronto.  He drew heavily on his early experiences and rose quickly from the landscape crew to become a designer and project manager for water features, with a diverse portfolio of residential and commercial projects involving budgets up to $200,000.  Jeff still works as an independent consultant and occasional contractor in the water feature industry, but is mostly involved with reptile conservation.

Joa (aged 15 years) below in Georgian Bay in 2008.

Keen on sports, ipods, and hangin' with his friends, Joa is a delightful worker who had his arm twisted to join our team. Actually, it was money, but not lots of it at least. I guess you've gotta hang a few carrots now and then...to get them to learn native plants, a bit about ecology, and to throw a shovelful of soil here or there. Joa will make guest appearances on the work site throughout the warmer, drier months.

Sabrynn (below), laughing as always, Lions Head, ON, June 2009 

Sabrynn (aged 12 years - pictured above) is an aspiring saviour of the Universe and stray kittens everywhere. Sabrynn loves dancing, singing (often at the dinner table), and working really hard on any fun and even goal oriented project. A child that fairies sometimes envy for her free spiritedness, Sabrynn can often be found climbing trees, inspecting the smallest of insects and laughing out loud.