Take your first steps towards a vibrant, thriving native habitat.
Small Steps Native Landscaping
About Me
Hi! My name is Jordan (they/them). I’m a recent graduate of UC Davis with a degree in plant science and ecology. I offer small-scale, ecologically sound garden work in the East Bay. I have experience with restoration and landscaping work, and I love what I do.
I have a specific interest in fire science, and can help you with designing a fire-safe and legally compliant yard.
Collecting samples of benthic macroinvertebrates in Putah creek as part of a lab.
Anthers and pistils of a grass flower. Look for the little white dangly things hanging off of grasses in spring.
At a work site in Newark, CA.
What My Clients Say
“Jordan is experienced enough to not need supervision, receptive to being taught if there are particular ways I want things done, and thoughtful and considerate enough to make sure that the work they do is consistent with my overall vision for the garden.”
-- Jeremy, Newark
Unique aloe varieties provide spiky cover for lizards and insects, while sages, poppies, and buckeyes feed pollinators and mammals.
“Jordan didn't just help me redo my yard, they changed the way I look at environmentalism and ecology, from something abstract to something I can practice with actions as simple as pulling a weed or planting a shrub.”
-- Sage, East Oakland
A neglected front bed turned into habitat for snakes and lizards: Large rocks offer spots for both basking and hiding, a native Buckwheat (Eriogonum sp.) grows to cover the ground and shade the soil, and poppies and monkeyflowers attract pollinators and other insect prey.
A beautiful young criminal makes eye contact with me as it tries to pretend that I didn’t just catch it nibbling on every fruit tree in the orchard!!!
“I highly recommend Jordan for all your garden maintenance needs. I had a blighted plant and they were willing to spend extra time on diagnosis and treatment. They also cleaned out a pokeweed mess and made my garden more fire resistant”.
--D., Berkeley
260 lbs of invasive pokeweed, some of it was twice as tall as I am!
My Process
01
A free, first-time site visit where we do a walkthrough together. We’ll discuss pain points, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals, and you’ll get an email summary afterwards.
Free 45-min Walkthrough
02
After the site visit, I will write up proposals based on our discussions and your desires. We’ll work together until the plan is to your liking, and then I’ll get to work!
Custom Proposals
03
Whether it’s a large-scale project, monthly rounds of violence against Oxalis, or just a seasonal touch up, I will help you out over the long term. You will receive a custom care guide after new plantings.
Continued or Seasonal Maintenance
I do not offer the following:
Tree work beyond simple pruning
Extensive hardscaping, or concrete pours
Manicured lawn maintenance
Removal of bulk non-green waste (trash/junk hauling)
Thank you for your understanding.
An American Marmot regards the survey team suspiciously as we return to basecamp.
Book an appointment!
45-min Initial Site Visit
Free first time site visit and walkthrough! You’ll get next steps and estimates from me afterwards.
Project Workday
This time is flexible and billed hourly to accommodate initial bulk cleanups, installs, and project workdays. Please schedule this with me directly!
Monthly Package: 2 visits/Month
Scheduled, recurrent visits to maintain your garden or new installs.
$130/visit/$260/month.
Covers most materials (soil, insecticide, fertilizer, irrigation supplies) and requested odd jobs.
Booking permitted up to 90 days in advance.
Other
Need something else, or want to discuss a pricing and scheduling scheme that makes sense for you? Please reach out and we’ll figure it out!
A-La-Carte Maintenance
One-off, 3 hour visits to properties that need me less often.
$150/visit.
Covers most materials (soil, insecticide, fertilizer, irrigation supplies) and requested odd jobs.
Additional time may be required for infrequently-visited properties, and will be billed at $45/hr.
An ancient bristlecone endures at 12,700 ft.
Garden Consult and Report
For gardens and gardeners that have racked up questions, concerns, and years.
$250 covers a 90-minute, detailed walkthrough, a custom report addressing your questions, concerns, goals, and next steps, and one round of questions by email after the report is delivered.
Where Else to find me
Right now, I have pages on Nextdoor and Instagram, where I post useful and interesting information about plants, from a plant scientists perspective.
You can text me at (510) 228-1949 or email me at Jordan@smallstepsnatives.com.
You can also find me on LinkedIn, if you’re so inclined.
