Instructors

Robert Littlepage, Director and Primary Lecturer:

Robert Littlepage, as his many former students can attest, is a dynamic instructor who brings real-world experience and a touch of humor to his teaching style.  His love of teaching and enthusiasm for his topic is a source of inspiration to his students.  Mr. Littlepage founded the California School of Garden Design in 1998 to fill a much-needed void.  He discovered that other than two-year junior college programs and a few correspondence courses, there was no place in the United States where someone interested in becoming a Garden Designer could learn these skills quickly and at minimum expense.  Mr. Littlepage created the School to provide an opportunity for those individuals to learn necessary skills and get an understanding of Garden Design principles in a short but intensive period of time.

Robert Littlepage began his career as a licensed Landscape Contractor and has had his own design practice for over 25 years, creating gardens for clients throughout California and the surrounding states.  His designs have been featured in garden design books and won awards at shows.  He studied garden design at the Oxford College of Garden Design in Oxford, England in 1994, and obtained his teaching credentials shortly thereafter.  Mr. Littlepage taught design and other landscape related courses at Sierra College in Rocklin California and at the Placer Adult School in Auburn, California, but decided to follow his dream of opening his own garden design school.

Mr. Littlepage is a licensed landscape architect in California (#5674) and Louisiana (L-249). He is a member of the APLD, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the California Landscape Contractor’s Association and the Auburn Rotary Club. He is a Certified Designer with the Association of Professional Landscape Designers where he served nationally as the Public Relations Chair, and is a Licensed Landscape Contractor within the State of California #500489.

Along with Certified Arborist Vicky Bartish, Rob Littlepage presents an organic gardening and organic “rabblerousing” radio program once a month on AM 950 KAHI. Rob and Vicky take over for Garden Guru Don Yamasaki’s “Garden Guru” radio show on the last Saturday of each month. Tune in at 9:00 a.m. for the hour-long program and find out how you can be a greener gardener or designer.

Vicki Bartish - teaches workshops in Aboriculture and Correct Use of Trees in the Landscape for CSGD:

Vicki transitioned from a career as an emergency room nurse into horticulture first as a hobby and means of relaxation.  She opened a small herb and tree nursery in the 1990’s.  Her interest in trees continued to grow after moving to the foothills of the northern Sierra where she worked for several years in a retail nursery specializing in Japanese maples.  She has been an advanced member of the California Certified Nursery Professionals since 2001, and currently serves as President of the Superior Chapter of the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers.  Ms. Bartish is a consulting ISA Certified Arborist, member of the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, and also owner of Shades of Green in Newcastle, a consulting aboriculture service.  She writes a monthly column in the Auburn Journal and can be heard the last Saturday of each month on 950AM KAHI Radio with her co-host, Rob Littlepage, discussing organic gardening on the Garden Guru radio program.

Melissa Mourkas, ASLA: teaches workshops in Surveying and Grading, Historic Landscapes, and Building Codes Pertaining to Landscape Design/Construction

Melissa Mourkas is a California-licensed Landscape Architect with expertise in residential landscape master planning, garden design, native and historic landscapes.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural History from Scripps College and a Master of Arts in Landscape Design from Conway School of Landscape Design.  Melissa has been a Planner with the Historic Preservation Office of the City of Sacramento since October of 2005.  Previously, Melissa was in private landscape architecture practice specializing in residential landscape design.  She continues to offer occasional teaching, consulting and design through her firm, Landscape Legacy.  Melissa meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards professional qualifications for Historic Landscape Architecture.  She can be reached at the Landscape Legacy studio at mmourkas@mac.com or (916) 452-7344.

www.landscapelegacy.com

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the Landscape Design class. It was certainly a great deal more than just choosing plantings. I feel that I have come a long way in my drawing and also in my perspective of design.. Thanks for being such a great instructor.