I have been teaching internationally and working professionally in the land management, regenerative design and permaculture development field for 25 years and have extensive experience in all phases of ecologically sound design and construction, as well as the use of natural non-toxic building materials. I specialize in site planning and the design of resource-rich landscapes integrating rainwater collection, edible and medicinal planting, spring development, pond and water systems, habitat development and watershed restoration for homes, co-housing communities, businesses and diverse yield perennial farms.

With my husband James Stark, and in collaboration with Commonweal - a cancer health research and retreat center - I co-manage a 17-acre organic and certified salmon-safe farm in Bolinas, California, called Commonweal Garden. In addition, we are stewarding and working to restore 200 acres of land in Trinity County, California.

I co-created the Ecological Design Program and its curriculum at the San Francisco Institute of Architecture, and co-founded the West Marin Grower’s Group, the West Marin Farmer’s Market and the Community Land Trust Association of Marin. I have also worked with the Marin County Community Development Agency and Planning Department to develop recommendations on sustainability for updating the Community Plan.

I am a founding member of the Natural Building Colloquium, a national consortium of professional natural builders, creating innovations in straw bale, cob, timberframe, light clay, natural non-toxic interior finishes and other methods using natural and bio-regionally appropriate materials for construction.

I love all things permaculture and am passionate about sharing my knowledge with the world.