photo by David Yaeger

About Jessica

Landscape Architect

With over 16 years of diverse experience, I have appreciated the opportunity to engage in many thrilling projects and collaborations in land use planning, large-scale habitat restoration, cultural landscape restoration, and commercial, civic and residential design in California and beyond. Early, hands-on work in regenerative agriculture, ecological restoration and landscape construction combined with a strong background in landscape ecology gained in my graduate education contribute to my versatility to hold the micro and macro view simultaneously, and to practice from principles as well as practicality. During my recent time as Director of Environmental Planning + Design at The Sea Ranch, I spent much time reflecting on how to best guide development on the west coast of North America to adapt to the rising risk of wildfire as well as to increasingly strict laws that govern development. I believe that firewise design can be achieved without sacrificing architectural beauty or ecological integrity.  

At this stage of my career, I find joy in inviting others into and more reciprocal relationship with place. I love to create landscapes and gardens that also grow us – whether that be a habitat garden in which we participate in multiplying the diversity of flora and fauna (and our own wonder) year after year; an edible school or community garden that naturally encourages social connection and human generosity through its abundance; or through public art, interpretive or memorial landscapes that invite us to make meaning, or seek peace and healing in them.

I am actively licensed to practice in California, Michigan and am currently applying for reciprocal licensure in British Columbia.

CV
CV

“All flourishing is mutual.” Robin Wall Kimmerer

Jessica Dune, California Modern Artists, Public Art California, Public Art Vancouver, Memorial Landscape Design, Interpretive Landscape Design Traverse City, Private Art Great Lakes, Memorial Landscape Design Carmel Ca

Artist

As an artist, I find rapture in the nuance of pattern in flora, fauna and the elemental realm. All of my inspiration arises through an intimate relationship with our wild world, and I am devoted to celebrating its exquisite biological diversity. I believe we have a lot to learn from the wisdom embodied in life forms that have thrived on our planet for hundreds of millions of years. It is my joy to help decode the ancient language of evolutionary adaptation, and to invite people into the solace and guidance to be discovered there. Most of my creative expression begins with photography, my original medium. My body of work includes serial photography, photographic pattern design , anthotype, eco-printing, and katazome (a Japanese stencil/resist dyeing process). Recent themes I have explored include the grace of decay in the plant kingdom; the poetics of roots in old growth sequoia and cedar; the vitality of spiraling form.

Writer

As an author and poet, I believe in the power of words to help us navigate change, loss, impermanence and the homesickness we experience in our modern lives via disconnection from source and a declining sense of place in the wake of wildfire and other effects of climate change. Through sharing my own journey of reclaiming belonging and connection to the Earth as well as to my ancestral lineages, I hope to inspire others to begin where they are in their own search for “home.” As a Threshold choir singer, I love to share songs in harmony to help bring peace and comfort at the end of life.