About Us
Olivia Cass is a passionate entrepreneur and the driving force behind Living Harmony Landscapes, a business dedicated to creating beautiful outdoor spaces. Born and raised in Victoria, Olivia's journey into the world of landscaping began at a young age when she started gardening for her mom's friends. Little did she know that this humble beginning would sow the seeds for her future career.
Olivia enrolled at The Pacific Horticulture College in 2014. Over the next few years, she immersed herself in the study of landscape horticulture, earning her Red Seal certification by 2019.
What sets Olivia apart is her genuine love for both the artistry of horticulture and the creativity of entrepreneurship. For her, running this business isn't just a job; it's a passion that she's fortunate enough to turn into a fulfilling career.
Committed to Growing our Knowledge and Skills
One of Olivia's greatest joys is sharing her knowledge and expertise with others. She is deeply committed to educating and empowering the Living Harmony team, nurturing their growth and development within the industry.
"It's a powerful feeling to pass on the knowledge and watch each crew member learn, build their knowledge and become a confident professional." - Olivia
Proud Member of Victoria’s Community of Gardeners and Plant Nerds
Eager to expand her own knowledge and skill set, Olivia has also pursued additional courses in beekeeping, permaculture and business administration.
When Olivia is not out working in gardens around Victoria, she can be found in her own home garden, growing veggies from seeds in her greenhouse, caring for her bees, or planning her next adventure to gardens around the world.
Our Team
Kaylynne Sparks
Lead Hand Horticulturalist-
Originally from Fort St. John, Kaylynne moved to Victoria in 2014 for university. She graduated from UVic in 2019 with a BA in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. Shortly after, she discovered a passion for plants while working at a garden center, realizing she had stumbled upon a future career.
Since then, Kaylynne has explored many facets of gardening, including maintenance, yard overhauls, new installations, and design. She recently earned her Horticulture Red Seal certification, further deepening my knowledge and commitment to the field. Her approach to gardening focuses on intention.
She believes that every garden reflects a unique vision, whether it's a pollinator haven, a peaceful retreat, a vibrant sanctuary for birds, or just a certain aesthetic. Her skill set bridges the gap between a client’s intention and science-based, best-practice gardening, bringing those dreams to life.
Newsletter ManagerAri Westhaver
-
Originally from the Fraser Valley, Ari grew up surrounded by vast blueberry fields, lush coniferous forests, and the comforting ebb and flow of the Fraser River. From a young age, Ari showed a keen interest in ecology, food, and politics. The desire to understand the intersection of plants and people led him to begin working on organic vegetable farms in 2016 and later earn a Bachelor of Horticulture Science from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Since finishing his undergraduate degree, Ari has taught organic crop production and integrated pest management at the Tsawwassen First Nation Farm school, done policy advocacy with the National Farmers Union, farmed at Glorious Organics Cooperative Farm, worked as the Lead Hand at Living Harmony Landscapes, and now balances his time between offering farmland access support through the BC Land Matching Program, writing the LHL newsletter, and building towards starting his own urban micro-farm.
Landscape GardenerBraedon Drouillard
-
Braedan was born and raised just outside Ottawa, Ontario where he discovered his love for all things nature. He grew up walking through the forests, setting up bird feeders, and watching nature shows and documentaries. After moving to the west coast in 2008, now surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Salish Sea, his passion to work in nature was set in stone.
His hobbies include birdwatching, hiking, wildlife photography, and gardening. He has a BA in Environmental Studies & Geography from the University of Victoria, a certificate in Permaculture Design, and is currently working towards getting his Red Seal certification in Horticulture.
His goal in life is to work in ecological restoration to help regrow the wild spaces we’ve lost, whether it’s in people’s neighborhoods or in sensitive ecosystems across the West Coast.
Landscape GardenerSam Pennyfather
-
Sam originally hails from Ontario, but after taking an interest in natural systems, Sam moved to the West Coast, where he studied permaculture at Pacific Rim College.
With hands-on experience in the plant nursery industry, Sam has gained invaluable knowledge in horticulture, plant care, and creating thriving ecosystems. Alongside his career in landscaping, Sam has a keen interest in science, particularly natural systems and the relationships between living organisms and their environments.
Known for his inventive mindset, Sam thrives on solving problems and coming up with creative solutions. He constantly looks for ways to improve processes, whether that means experimenting with new gardening techniques or exploring innovative approaches to sustainable landscaping. His curiosity and hands-on approach make him a natural fit for tackling complex challenges in the field.
Sam’s diverse experiences and his drive to innovate make him a valuable team member.
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!