About the Gardeners
Robin Simurda, Founder
New York City is where Robin discovered their love of horticulture and garden design. After completing a trades training program in 2014, they were hired at Groundworks Inc, a small, high-end gardening company in NYC. The owners, Carmen DeVito and Alice Marcus Krieg, guided Robin in the practices of cultivating and nurturing sustainable gardens. The owners encouraged the team to continue their horticultural education outside of the workplace and supported Robin's training at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Robin's experience working at Groundworks inspired them to eventually create their own gardening business, built on the same ethos, but specific to their particular vision and new environment.
Robin has more than 10 years of experience working in the Landscape Horticulture trade. A key focus of their work is strengthening our local ecosystem by bringing native flora and greater biodiversity to our neighbourhood gardens. Since starting this business in 2021, they have completed the Master Gardener's basic training course, the Plant ID Certificate Program at BCCE, and have attended classes at VanDusen Botanical Garden such as, 'Gardening for Climate Change', 'Seasonal Garden Design Essentials', 'Pests: Invasive Insects and Other Non-Native Wildlife', 'Practical Pruning', and many more.
Lmar Froese, Horticulturist
Lmar’s love for all things flora started as a young child searching for crocuses in the southern Manitoba snow in early spring. Lmar is a certified Landscape Horticulturist, having completed training at the UBC Botanical Garden, and is now studying for red seal certification.
He has been working happily as a lead gardener with East River Gardens for over 5 years with a special interest in plant science and native and pollinator friendly species.
He has been working happily as a lead gardener with East River Gardens for over 5 years with a special interest in plant science and native and pollinator friendly species.
Our Values
At East River Gardens, our work is rooted in a deep respect for people, plants, and place. We understand that caring for the land is inseparable from caring for one another. From Turtle Island to Palestine, we stand in solidarity with all people resisting colonial violence and oppression, and support their right to dignity, safety, and liberation. Our commitment to collective care shapes how we show up, both in our work and in solidarity with others.
Growth and education are central to our work.
Through ongoing learning and knowledge-sharing, we stay at the forefront of eco-friendly practices, bringing hortcultural insights to our clients and sustainable care to every garden we steward.
Growth and education are central to our work.
Through ongoing learning and knowledge-sharing, we stay at the forefront of eco-friendly practices, bringing hortcultural insights to our clients and sustainable care to every garden we steward.
We value quality and attention to detail, tending to every space with intention and skill. We aim to create and maintain gardens that reflect our client's preferences while supporting the health of the land.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to caring for the land with integrity by designing, building, and tending to gardens in a way that promotes biodiversity and supports the health of our local ecosystem. We approach every space as part of a larger living system, working to restore balance and create environments that nurture both people and the natural world.
As of February 2023, East River Gardens is a proud British Columbia certified living wage employer. We recognize that paying a living wage to our team members is an investment in the long-term prosperity of small business, local economy and employee well-being.
East River Gardens is approved by SkilledTradesBC as a Sponsor Employer with Supervision and Sign Off Authority for apprentices working towards their Red Seal in the Landscape Horticulture trade.
Book a Free Consultation!
We are always excited to meet new folks and take a tour of their property! Interested in booking a free 30 minute walkthrough with us?
604-757-3887
eastrivergardens@gmail.com
Vancouver, BC