bio

Martina Ladova

Born in Prague, Czech Republic, a.k.a. Bohemia, Martina Ladova came to the SF Bay Area from then communist Czechoslovakia in 1985. After several semesters of  political and social sciences, journalism, photography, and the English language at Merritt College, she was accepted into UC Berkeley's Landscape Architecture department. The program's curriculum  encompassed not only her life-long interests in  trees and plants, related beneficial organisms, applied art, and design, but also the broader environmental, social, philosophical and psychological aspects of shaping our physical surroundings.

After graduation, before braving the world of design and build, Ladova worked for local nurseries to boost her knowledge of California native flora and the vast array of  plants produced  in cultivation.  At the same time  she was fortunate to gain excellent mentors in site specific design, various hardscape techniques, carpentry, drainage, irrigation, outdoor lighting, and creek restoration.

With almost 30 years dedicated to creating Bay Area landscapes, now more than ever Ladova believes in healing our environment through honest and sensitive practices informed  by shared experiences and continued, locally based education and enlightment.  Most recently she has taken part in the yearly Northern California Permaculture Convergences, Oakland's Institute of Urban Homesteading's  sessions, Andree Thompson's EcoArt Matters courses at Laney College, and has earned a "Bay Friendly Qualified Professional" certification through the Bay Area-based pioneer organization, "ReScape California".

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