Meet The Team
Keelan Franzen
Founder, Head Gardener
Hi, I'm Keelan, head gardener at Newt. I've been gardening all my life, fascinated with plants and animals. My family has been in Santa Cruz for four generations, so growing up I learned much about what I do from them. When I started Newt Gardens, it was with the goal of protecting the environment and making Santa Cruz a more beautiful place one yard at a time. I want to see the local ecosystem flourish at it's highest potential. Nothing is more fulfilling to me than seeing the life a good garden can bring into the world!
Mike
Founder, IT
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Hi I'm Mike! I've always enjoyed growing my own fruits and veggies, and am passionate about sustainable farming and gardening. With prior experience in running a local business, I understand the value of customer satisfaction--I'm here to make sure each and every Newt Gardens client has a beautiful garden and a happy home!
Logan
Gardener
Hi! I’m Logan. I have lived in the woods for the vast majority of my life and really love to see nature thriving!! I also am a big fan of a job well done and getting to see the result when I’m doing a project. I love to see the gardens that Newt has already turned into habitat and look forward to creating gardens like that myself!
Casey
Gardener
Hello, I'm Casey. I studied Physics at the University of Florida and have been getting more into life sciences after moving to the Bay Area a decade ago. There are so many great opportunities out here to connect with nature and learn new, fun things about the world around us. I enjoy hiking, backpacking, climbing, tide pooling, surfing, and learning from and spending time with people who appreciate the environment. I'm a volunteer Docent Naturalist for the Midpeninsula Open Space Preserves in the Santa Cruz Mountains and volunteer at local, community organizations, like Common Root Farms. Also, I'm continuing my education at Cabrillo College in the Horticulture Department. Looking forward to designing and building amazing natural, native landscapes here in the local community!
Newt
Our muse
Newts are a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Our mission is to make as much of Santa Cruz a habitat as possible, and then the newts will eventually find their way!
Camille Hartley
Business Manager, Gardener
Hi, I’m Camille. I studied environmental science at UC Santa Cruz and have spent the past six years working various field and farming jobs throughout California. I am a recreational botanist and ornithologist and am thrilled to be working with clients to create more natural habitat throughout yards in Santa Cruz.
Spencer
Gardener
Hi, I’m Spencer, a current Environmental Studies undergrad at UC Santa Cruz. I’m passionate about native landscaping not only because of its beauty, but its importance in restoring natural ecosystems locally. It’s so awesome to see a thriving ecosystem in your own backyard!! I also thoroughly enjoy seeing the progression of projects and find joy in working outdoors.
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Lily
Gardener
Hi, I’m Lily, I am passionate about sustainability and the environment. I love that ecological landscaping incorporates the creativity for our clients to create the gardens of their dreams while keeping the earth happy and healthy.
Jordan
Gardener
Hi. I’m Jordan. I spend a lot of my spare time in nature where the air is cleaner. I believe in hard work, perseverance, and taking pride in doing a good job. I take diligent care in making sure the work I do reflects excellence in the eyes of the customer and myself.
Michael
Gardener
Bio coming soon :-)
Oakley
Gardener
Bio coming soon :-)
