Entering her fifth year as the president of the Strathcona Community Garden, Carla coordinates over 100 gardeners who actively steward the land. This urban oasis is over 3 acres of orchards, gardens and rewilded areas. In her role, Carla liaises with Park Board Staff and has helped obtain over $120,000 in grants. She currently spearheads the Strathcona Wetland Project in collaboration with the Environmental Youth Alliance. These roles have fostered a commitment to building relationships among park stewards and partners.
Formally trained in architecture, her education focused on understanding the built environment and complex problem solving. Carla worked in this field for 10 years, specializing in affordable housing, green building, and urban design. As a project manager she coordinated consultants, staff and clients. This experience uniquely positions Carla to design climate resilience into Vancouver parks’ infrastructure and ecosystems.
Since moving to Vancouver, Carla has been immersed in parenting three children. She loves living in Strathcona. Engaging in her community, she serves on the local PAC board, and co-chairs the Grounds Committee. She volunteers with Green Streets and fosters pollinator habitat as a Butterflyway Ranger. Carla is an active member of the EartHand Gleaners, a community environmental arts society based in local parks. These diverse engagements continue to provide deep perspective on reciprocity and honouring our shared connection to the land. She is constantly learning how to be a better ally as an uninvited guest on unceded Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh territories.