Botanica Atlanta Landscape Design
Landscape Design, Construction & Maintenance
Our Team
Registered Landscape Architect Valla Barding has worked in several states across the United States including Hawaii, California, Florida, Texas, Colorado, Vermont, Connecticut and the Carolinas. She has a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from Texas A & M University, an associate's degree in horticulture from Illinois Central College, and has also studied landscape architecture in Florence, Italy. Valla has both large-scale urban planning experience (4 years) and extensive residential landscape design experience (10 years) including many private residences in high-end resorts and golf communities designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tom Watson.
Registered Landscape Architect Mike McKenzie has over eleven years of experience in landscape design. He has worked on projects throughout the United States and Caribbean with extensive knowledge of plants used in a variety of climates. Mike graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture. Project experience ranges from tropical resorts to corporate campus and mixed-use developments to residential and estate planning. Prior to moving to Atlanta, Mike lived in Los Angeles, CA and learned the value of creating landscape design with an eye toward sustainability. His designs incorporate many native plant species that minimize the need for water and extensive maintenance. 
Landscape Designer Karen Faulkner has been in love with gardening all of her life and has been studying horticulture since she was a young girl. A native of the Northeast, she has been educated in landscaping principles through the University of Massachusetts, has an associate's degree in graphic design, and worked as a landscape designer in New England before relocating here to Georgia. Karen has since continued her education at Gwinnett Technical College where she earned a diploma in Environmental Horticulture. Combining her formal artistic training, her knowledge of plants and gardening, and her natural creativity, Karen designs beautiful outdoor spaces that are uniquely tailored to meet the needs and desires of her clients.
Landscape Designer Heather Moll-Dunn has extensive experience with high-end residential properties, and was lead designer at a well known Atlanta landscaping firm for seven years. Her beautiful and award winning designs have been featured in the Southeastern Flower Show, the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Connoisseurs tour, the Avondale Estates Garden Tour, and American Society of Landscape Architects competitions. Heather earned a Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia, and completed two years of class work in the University of Georgia's Masters program. She also holds a minor in Horticulture from the University of Georgia.
Cameron Little is Operations Manager for Botanica Atlanta. Cameron started his career in the landscape industry over twenty years ago and has extensive knowledge of both horticultural practices and construction techniques necessary to create beautiful and lasting gardens. He was Senior Project Manager for four years at one of Atlanta's premier landscape installation companies before starting his own landscape construction company which he ran successfully for six years. Cameron also has three years of graduate studies at the University of Georgia's School of Landscape Architecture as well as numerous courses on the history of gardens while attaining his Bachelor's of Arts degree from Pomona College in Clairmont, California.
Stuart DiNenno is General Manager of the company. Stuart is both an experienced landscape designer and installer who is knowledgeable about horticulture, garden design and construction techniques. He has over ten years of business management experience and has been formally educated in landscape design at Gwinnett Technical College and the Florida Green Industries Institute. An avid gardener, Stuart experiments with plants and studies horticulture on his own time, as well as attending many continuing education classes. He is also an active member of the Southern Garden History Society, the Georgia Perennial Plant Association, the Georgia Native Plant Society and the Buckhead Men's Garden Club.
