Education Director, Anne Drummond PhD

Academic qualifications:

• BSc Degree: Rhodes University and University of Natal (PMB), majors in Zoology and African and Experimental Zoology
• MSc Degree (Cum laude): University of Natal, South Africa
• PhD Degree: University of Natal, South Africa
• Higher Education Diploma (Biology and General Science, University of South Africa, South Africa

Field of expertise and experience:

• Professor of Biology, scientific editorial and writing consultant, Laboratory Instructor, former Director of Education at Two Oceans Aquarium, Capetown, South Africa. Widely published in Scientific Journals.
• Member of Victoria Master Gardener Association

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Project manager for the development of an Advanced Urban Garden College

Program Facilitator, Laura Biggs

Academic qualifications:

• Master of Science in Biology (2009), UBC Okanagan, Kelowna, BC
• Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry (2006), UBC Okanagan, Kelowna, BC

Field of expertise and experience:

• Research technician and Lab instructor; Biology

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Botany LH 102 (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time and Part-time)
• Soils LH 103 (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time and Part-time)
• Plant Health LH 108 (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time)
• Integrated Pest Management/BC Pesticide Applicator's License
• Plant Health (Level 3 Apprenticeship Program)
• Soil Management (Level 3 Apprenticeship Program)

Ismail Abdullahi

Academic qualifications:

• B.Sc. in Agriculture, Usman Danfodio University, Nigeria
• M.Sc. in Plant Virology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
• Ph.D. in Plant Virology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Field of expertise and experience:

• Development of suitable diagnostic techniques as the first line of action in management of viral and viroid diseases of economic importance. Development and implementation of preventative measures aimed at restricting the spread of pests and diseases of agricultural crops

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Plant Health LH 108 (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time and Part-time)

Carmen Varcoe

Academic qualifications:

• BA in Social Science, 1968
• Diploma in Education, 1975

Field of expertise and experience:

• Classroom instructor, lecturer on wide range of garden topics, design and maintenance of Hardy plant garden at Glendale Gardens, Advisory board member for University of Victoria’s Finnerty Gardens, Executive member for Victoria Horticulture Society, Victoria Rock and Alpine Society and the Hardy Plant Group.

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Plant Identification LH 104 (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time)
• Plant Identification (Level 3 Apprenticeship Program)

Diane Pierce

Academic qualifications:

• B.Sc. in Agriculture, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
• Diploma in Horticulture, 1973, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Field of expertise and experience:

• Fruit and vegetable research with Agriculture Canada, City of Victoria Parks Dept. Gardener, Landscape design and garden consultant, past Board member of Glendale Gardens and Victoria Horticulture Society, author of garden articles, horticulture education.

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Plant Identification, LH 104 (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time)
• Plant Identification LH (Level 3 Apprenticeship Program)

Maija Finvers

Academic qualifications:

• B.Sc. (Hons) Geology, 1981 University of Alberta,
• M.Sc. (Soil Management) 2009 Cranfield University, United Kingdom

Field of expertise and experience:

• Exploration geologist, resource evaluation geologist, expertise in GIS technologies, currently co-responsible for terrain and soil program within Ministry of Environment

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Soils LH 103 (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time)
• Soil Management (Level 3 Apprenticeship Program)

Gwyn Herperger

Academic Qualifications:

• Landscape Horticulture Technician Certificate, 2003, Pacific Horticulture College, Victoria, BC
• B.A., with Distinction, University of Victoria 1997

Field of expertise and experience:

• Owner and operater Gwyn's Gardens January 2004 to present

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Practical Skills Instructor 2006 – present (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time)

Patty Brown

Academic qualifications:

• Landscape Horticulture Technician Certificate, 2000, Pacific Horticulture College, Victoria, BC

Field of expertise and experience:

• Vice-President of Backwoods Contracting Ltd., silviculture specialists in reforestation. Owner/operator of  Brilliant Blooms Floral and Garden design. Classroom instructor for numerous community education courses (e.g. landscape design, pruning, floral design, winter gardening) at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific.

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Landscape Design LH 109 (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time)
• Pruning (Level 3 Apprenticeship Program)

Ellen Coburn

Academic qualifications:

• Certificate of Business Administration, 2004, University of Victoria, BC
• Masters of Business Administration, 2007, Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC
• Landscape Horticulture Technician, 2008, Pacific Horticulture College, Victoria, BC

Field of expertise and experience:

• Working in a consulting capacity with a focus on new business development; including conceptual planning, training and knowledge expansion.Sole proprietor: “Elemental Creations” – visual artist and landscape design, installation and maintenance services and garden coaching. Sole proprietor: “Elemental Consulting” – providing consulting services to new and established businesses.

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Business LH 114 (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time and Part-time)
• Practical Skills Instructor (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time)

Brian Youell

Academic qualifications:

• Class "A" Superintendent with the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association
• Designed Sunshine Hills Golf Course, Blackburn Lake Golf Course, Leprechaun Golf Course
• Past President of the Western Canada Turfgrass Association.
• Director of Turfgrass Research Committee for the Western Canada Turfgrass Association

Field of expertise and experience:

• Taught turf related programs at Camosum College, has lectured at various national conferences and has written turf related articles for various magazines

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Turfgrass Management (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time and Part-time)
• Turfgrass Management (Level 3 Apprenticeship Program)
• Irrigation & Drainage (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Part-time)
• Communication & Supervision Skills (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time and Part-time)
• Equipment Maintenance & Safety (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Part-time)

Jackie Hiebert

Academic qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, 1991, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC
• Landscape Horticulture Technician, 2007, Pacific Horticulture College, Victoria, BC

Field of expertise and experience:

• Sole proprietor of Jimmy Thistle Britches Gardening & Design, Victoria, BC

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Plant Identification LH 104 (Landscape Horticulture Apprenticeship Program, Part-time)
• Plant Identification (Level 3 Apprenticeship Program, Part-time)

Chris Murphy, Head Gardener

Academic qualifications:

• Diploma in Horticulture, University of Guelph, 1993, Guelph, ON
• Master Gardener's Certification, 2003, Summerland,BC
• International Society of Arborists Certification, 2006, Abbotsford BC

Field of expertise and experience:

• Instructed Horticulture at Okanagan College for 6 years, including curriculum development. Owner/operator of landscape companies.  Given numerous seminars on all aspects of horticulture.

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Practical Skills Instructor (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time)
• Landscape Installation (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time and Part-time)
• Irrigation (Level 3 Apprenticeship, Part-time)

Marian McCoy

Academic qualifications:

• Master of Science (2006) Simon Fraser University – paleoecology, plant ecology
• Bachelor of Arts (1997) Simon Fraser University – geography, biology, earth sciences
• Spatial Information Systems Certificate (1997) Simon Fraser University – remote sensing and GIS

Field of expertise and experience:

• Terrestrial ecosystem restoration
• Garry Oak and Coastal Douglas Fir ecosystems
• Invasive Plant Management
• Species-at-risk
• Volunteer Stewardship Engagement
• Owner, Melica Environmental – ecological consulting services
• Director, Coastal Invasive Plant Committee
• Member, Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Naturescaping (Landscape Horticulture Apprenticeship Program, Full-time)

Ken Nentwig

Academic qualifications:

• Landscape Technologist (1971), Humber College, Toronto, ON
• Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (1986), University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
• Masters of Landscape Architecture (1986), University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
• Certified Landscape Professional (2006), CNLA, Milton, ON
• Certified Landscape Designer (2007), CNLA, Milton, ON 

Field of expertise and experience:

• Landscape Design, Installation, Management
• Horticulture Education and Training, Diploma and Certificate Levels at University of Guelph
• CAD software applications to landscape design and management
• Hand Graphics applications to landscape design and management
• Skills Canada: National and World Skills Competitions

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Preparation of Estimates (Level 3 Apprenticeship Program, Full-time and Part-time)

Mike Isacson

Academic qualifications:

• IIABC (Irrigation Industry Association of BC) Certified Residential Irrigation Contractor (CIC)
• IIABC Certified Irrigation Designer (CID): Turf-Commercial, Turf-Residential, Landscape Drip
• IIABC Certified Level 2 Irrigation Technician (CIT 2)
• IIABC Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA)
• IIABC Certified Irrigation Scheduler (CIS)
• BCWWA (BC Water and Waste Association) Certified Cross Connection Control Tester
• ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems) Accredited Professional

Field of expertise and experience:

• Owner, Island Waterwise Irrigation Inc., 2009 – Present
• Owner/Operator, Waterwise Landscape Services, 1997-2009
• Instructor for Capital Regional District, Efficient Irrigation Workshops

Course/s taught at PHC:

• Irrigation and Drainage (Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, Full-time)
• Irrigation and Drainage (Level 3 Apprenticeship Program)