Like most in the native landscaping industry, I found my way to this current  life through a circuitous path. My formal training, and first few professional years, were as a public educator. I found that while I love teaching, my desire to be outside and working with nature was at odds with the daily rhythms of traditional classrooms. 

I switched industries, and began working as an assistant to a South Bend based company in the process of launching a lawn conversion business. Over the next three years, I grew in my position and took on the full running of the lawn conversion business.

In 2025, I launched Spaulding Restoration when I saw a need for restoration services for larger parcels, beyond the lawn conversion services currently offered in the area.  

As a life long hiker, I'm continually reminded how few places remain where I can experience our native habitat unaffected by the horticultural industry.  Hiking around northern Indiana (and other states) brings a bombardment of invasive plants into what should be natural and ecologically diverse spaces. Our national parks, state parks and conservation clubs are loosing ground (literally) as invasive plants push into these wilder spaces. I needed to make a difference and help!

So here  I am, ready to make a difference! Whether that be,

•  A lawn conversion, where we question the status quo of an outdated 1950's sales pitch for the 'American yard'.

• Removing invasive plants so prevalent in our foundation beds and formal landscaping spaces (I see you burning bush, privet, barberry, etc. )

• Restoring woodlands and prairies as the healthy, diverse, beautiful ecosystems they once were.  (not an impenetrable under story of honeysuckle or groves of autumn olive...)

• Helping support our native bees (not European honeybees), butterflies and birds!