Megan Cooper
Winnipeg
Summary
• Horticulture professional with over fifteen years of experience working in public gardens and developing incomparable horticultural standards of excellence. The last ten years of my career have involved a supervisory role with a student workforce, where we focus on pesticide free gardening practices, all aspects of greenhouse duties, learning about and implementing science-based gardening techniques, and keeping up to date with recent technologies.
• Incomparable standards of performance and integrity. Recognized for effectively communicating the company’s values, image, and reputation. Enthusiastic and outgoing with a passion for creating eye catching, natural, and flourishing spaces. Impressive background in providing gardening and landscaping services in residential and commercial properties, as well as training, development, and management experience.
• Decisive Team Leader, with the ability to provide direction and guidance to teams to ensure the highest quality standards are being achieved. Acted as a resource in the areas of safety, performance, and quality assurance.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Lead Gardener
Parks Canada Agency
05.2015 - Current
- Effectively organized daily duties with a team of up to 5 students, under direction of the Lead gardener.
- Maintained quality and cleanliness of work area and equipment.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by promoting teamwork, collaboration, and shared accountability for results.
- Mentored students on best practices for park management and visitor engagement.
- Implemented strategic improvements to optimize visitor satisfaction and engagement in national parks.
- Facilitated collaboration with employees to enhance understanding of plant biology and health.
- Implemented strategies for water conservation.
- Maintained irrigation system for outdoor areas.
- Performed equipment maintenance and repairs to keep tools functional for projects.
- Coordinated with team members to conceptualize and develop functional outdoor environments.
- Operated power tools and landscaping equipment to enhance outdoor spaces.
- Conducted thorough inspections of gardens to identify pests, weeds, and diseases.
- Led garden restoration projects, reviving historical garden features while respecting their original design intent.
- Boosted biodiversity and ecosystem health by incorporating native plants into garden designs.
- Used trimmers and chainsaws for grounds maintenance, brush clearing, and tree removal and thinning.
- Identified and removed invasive plants and noxious weeds for garden aesthetics and ecosystem health.
- Designed and maintained landscapes to ensure aesthetic appeal and ecological function.
Gardener 1
The City of Winnipeg
04.2024 - 10.2024
- Planted and maintained plant species across municipal parks and gardens throughout the city of Winnipeg.
- Transformed garden aesthetics through innovative landscape design implementation.
- Streamlined garden maintenance processes by organizing tools and equipment efficiently for daily use.
- Continued learning about plants, gardening techniques and best practices.
- Executed equipment maintenance and repairs to ensure optimal functionality of tools for project execution.
- Evaluated garden conditions by inspecting for the presence of pests, weeds, and diseases to ensure optimal plant health.
- Pruned and shaped greenery, shrubs, and hedges to ensure consistent appearance.
- Amended soil composition to support healthy growth and development of various plants.
- Successfully transformation of neglected spaces into vibrant gardens.
- Executed regular watering schedules to maintain vibrant and thriving garden landscapes.
- Operated large trucks across urban areas while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
- Cultivated and maintained diverse plant species with meticulous attention to detail.
- Adhered to safety protocols by donning appropriate PPE for all tasks.
- Operated side-by-side vehicle and trailer in public areas, ensuring safe and efficient transport.
Greenhouse Worker
Ron Paul Garden Center
01.2023 - 04.2023
- Cultivated and maintained diverse plant species in controlled greenhouse environments.
- Monitored environmental conditions to optimize growth and health of plants.
- Managed irrigation system operations to ensure consistent water access for crop growth and sustainability.
- Executed unloading operations for plants and nursery items from delivery trucks.
- Assisted customers with finding requested plants and flowers.
- Improved overall greenhouse efficiency by maintaining clean and organized workspaces.
- Contributed to increased sales with skillful transplanting and propagation of plants for retail display.
- Ensured optimal plant health by consistently monitoring greenhouse temperature and humidity levels.
- Adjusted plant layout to promote optimal air flow and decrease potential disease spread.
- Diagnosed and mitigated plant disease symptoms promptly to safeguard greenhouse health.
- Oversaw diverse plant care, ensuring optimal health from seedlings to mature specimens.
- Engaged with team members and leadership to report and resolve operational challenges.
Education
Greenhouse Practices And Operational Fundamentals - Horticulture
Red River College of Applied Arts, Science And Technology
Winnipeg03-2026
The Master Gardener Program - Horticulture
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon12-2022
Skills
- Plant health management
- Eco-friendly practices
- Sustainable pest solutions
- Team leadership
- Soil quality assessment
- Environmental design expertise
- Climate resilience strategies
- Data-driven decision making
- Intermediate computer proficiency
- Proficient in conveying instructional content
- Confident with a range of equipment from small to large
- Organizational administrative support
Languages
French
Beginner (A1)
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Gardener 1
The City of Winnipeg
04.2024 - 10.2024
Greenhouse Worker
Ron Paul Garden Center
01.2023 - 04.2023
Assistant Lead Gardener
Parks Canada Agency
05.2015 - Current
Greenhouse Practices And Operational Fundamentals - Horticulture
Red River College of Applied Arts, Science And Technology
The Master Gardener Program - Horticulture
University of Saskatchewan