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
Riding Mountain National Park, MB
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
Winnipeg, MB
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
Winnipeg, MB
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