About the Gardeners
Robin Simurda, Founder
New York City is where Robin discovered her love of horticulture and garden design. After completing a trades training program in 2014, she was 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. They encouraged the team to continue their horticultural education outside of the workplace and financially supported Robin's training at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Robin's experience working for this company inspired her to eventually create her own gardening business, built on the same ethos, but specific to her particular vision and new environment.
Robin has more than 10 years of experience working as a professional gardener and landscaper. A key focus of her work is strengthening our local ecosystem by bringing native flora and greater biodiversity to our neighbourhood gardens. Since starting this business in 2021, she has completed the Master Gardener's basic training course, the Plant ID Certificate Program at BCCE, and has 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 believe that caring for the land is inseparable from caring for one another. We stand in support of Indigenous sovereignty and Land Back, as well as the dignity, safety and freedom of people resisting oppression within our communities and worldwide. 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.
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