Hi, I’m Alicia—and I’ve been a native plant nerd since 2008! What started as a curiosity has grown into a full-blown passion, deepening every decade like the roots of an old oak tree. There’s something truly magical about seeing native plants thrive, all while knowing you’re cultivating a more resilient ecosystem along the way.
Over the past twenty years, I’ve worked in environmental education and communications, and let’s be honest—many of the outreach materials out there can feel like reading an Ikea manual. I kept thinking: there has to be a better way to get people excited about habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and gardening for wildlife. That’s why I started WildScapes. It’s where my love for native gardening meets my love for captivating visuals and approachable text. Think: vibrant graphics, a dash of humor, and facts you actually want to read.
My work is heavily guided and inspired by superheroes like Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer — mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation — and Dr. Doug Tallamy — author, entomologist, ecologist, and co-founder of Homegrown National Park.
Robin’s words gave voice to something I had felt deep in my bones but couldn’t quite put into words: that working closely with the land is a powerful act of healing, justice, and restoration. The hundreds of hours I’ve spent caring for the fringecups, piggybacks, and salmonberries in my backyard have quietly softened the weight of generational trauma. In that quiet tending, I’ve begun to better know the land and myself, and begin the processes of cycle breaking.
“If grief can be a doorway to love, then let us all weep for the world we are breaking apart so we can love it back to wholeness again.“
― Robin Wall Kimmerer, PhD
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
For decades, Doug has passionately championed the native gardening movement, helping it take root not just in the US, but around the world. Through his work, thousands of everyday people have been inspired to turn even the smallest backyard into a living, breathing ecosystem. His writing, both lyrical and thought-provoking, has gently challenged the way we see our lawns—inviting us to step into a more thoughtful, reciprocal relationship with the natural world.
“Our privately owned land and the ecosystems upon it are essential to everyone’s well-being, not just our own. Abusing land anywhere has negative ramifications for people everywhere.“
― Douglas W. Tallamy, PhD
Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard
If you’re interested in teaming up or just want to talk plants and pollinators, drop me a line. I’m always up for connecting with budding environmentalists—bonus points if you also geek out about checkermallow or pollinators.
