Embedded Files
Brennan Bird is the new full-time Environmental Horticulture & Design faculty at Foothill College. He is a life-long ecological educator, designer, gardener, and builder. Bird grew up in Palo Alto with a family of teachers and owes his passion for ecological gardening and education to his early exposure to the 1/4 acre school farm at his public elementary school, his high school garden, and his family's off-grid tree ranch in the Sierra foothills, all of which he learned about and helped maintain.
Brennan Bird is the new full-time Environmental Horticulture & Design faculty at Foothill College. He is a life-long ecological educator, designer, gardener, and builder. Bird grew up in Palo Alto with a family of teachers and owes his passion for ecological gardening and education to his early exposure to the 1/4 acre school farm at his public elementary school, his high school garden, and his family's off-grid tree ranch in the Sierra foothills, all of which he learned about and helped maintain.
Bird has been a school garden teacher for over 7 years; worked as an ecological designer, builder, and landscaper for over 5 years; and brings with him design certifications in Permaculture, Urban Permaculture, and Water Harvesting Design as well as a B.A. in Nature & Culture from UC Davis and a Masters of Education from USF. He is deeply passionate about removing asphalt, concrete and grass lawns and replacing these barren landscapes with CA native rain gardens. He is excited about stewarding the Foothill Horticulture program and 2-acre yard to a pinnacle example of ecological landscaping and regenerative design best practices.
Bird has been a school garden teacher for over 7 years; worked as an ecological designer, builder, and landscaper for over 5 years; and brings with him design certifications in Permaculture, Urban Permaculture, and Water Harvesting Design as well as a B.A. in Nature & Culture from UC Davis and a Masters of Education from USF. He is deeply passionate about removing asphalt, concrete and grass lawns and replacing these barren landscapes with CA native rain gardens. He is excited about stewarding the Foothill Horticulture program and 2-acre yard to a pinnacle example of ecological landscaping and regenerative design best practices.
Denise Bryant is an instructor in Foothill College’s Environmental Horticulture & Design program, where she brings her expertise in landscape design, graphics, and horticulture into the classroom. She teaches a range of landscape design and architecture-related courses, including Landscape Design: Graphic Communication, Landscape Design: Theory, Landscape Design: Basic Principles, and Vectorworks for Landscape Designers. Through her teaching, Denise helps students develop the creative, technical, and practical skills needed to communicate and develop thoughtful landscape designs.
Denise Bryant is an instructor in Foothill College’s Environmental Horticulture & Design program, where she brings her expertise in landscape design, graphics, and horticulture into the classroom. She teaches a range of landscape design and architecture-related courses, including Landscape Design: Graphic Communication, Landscape Design: Theory, Landscape Design: Basic Principles, and Vectorworks for Landscape Designers. Through her teaching, Denise helps students develop the creative, technical, and practical skills needed to communicate and develop thoughtful landscape designs.
Viji Jagannathan - Adjunct Faculty
Viji Jagannathan - Adjunct Faculty
Viji Jagannathan is an adjunct faculty member in the Environmental Horticulture & Design program at Foothill College, where she shares her knowledge and passion for horticulture, landscape design, and sustainable practices with students. Her teaching supports students in developing practical skills and a deeper understanding of environmentally responsible approaches to horticulture and design.
Viji Jagannathan is an adjunct faculty member in the Environmental Horticulture & Design program at Foothill College, where she shares her knowledge and passion for horticulture, landscape design, and sustainable practices with students. Her teaching supports students in developing practical skills and a deeper understanding of environmentally responsible approaches to horticulture and design.
Kim Chacon - Adjunct Faculty
Kim Chacon - Adjunct Faculty
Kim Chacon is an adjunct faculty member at Foothill College and the founder of Resilient Bee Landscapes, where she combines landscape design, ecology, and GIS-based research to create healthier and more resilient habitats for bees and other pollinators. She holds a Landscape Architecture, B.S. and a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Davis, with research focused on bee habitat, landscape connectivity, and the spatial and temporal dynamics of pollinator resources. Through her teaching, research, and consulting work, Kim helps students, designers, and communities understand how thoughtful landscape planning can support native bees, strengthen pollination networks, and build ecological resilience in human-dominated environments. Her work emphasizes translating scientific research into practical landscape strategies that benefit bees, people, and ecosystems.
Kim Chacon is an adjunct faculty member at Foothill College and the founder of Resilient Bee Landscapes, where she combines landscape design, ecology, and GIS-based research to create healthier and more resilient habitats for bees and other pollinators. She holds a Landscape Architecture, B.S. and a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Davis, with research focused on bee habitat, landscape connectivity, and the spatial and temporal dynamics of pollinator resources. Through her teaching, research, and consulting work, Kim helps students, designers, and communities understand how thoughtful landscape planning can support native bees, strengthen pollination networks, and build ecological resilience in human-dominated environments. Her work emphasizes translating scientific research into practical landscape strategies that benefit bees, people, and ecosystems.
Rudy Leal - Horticulture Lab Technician
Rudy Leal - Horticulture Lab Technician
Rudy Leal is the Horticulture Lab Technician in the Environmental Horticulture & Design program at Foothill College, helping to maintain and manage our 2-acre Horticulture Laboratory complete with a professional greenhouse, plant nursery, construction lab, and a variety of garden landscapes. A third-generation landscaper from San Jose, Rudy grew up immersed in the landscape industry, developing a lifelong appreciation for plants, design, and the craft of horticulture. He is a graduate of Foothill College’s Horticulture program, where he built on his family’s hands-on experience with formal horticultural education. Today, Rudy brings his practical knowledge, technical skills, and passion for horticulture to the Foothill College community, supporting students as they develop the skills and experience needed to succeed in the field.
Rudy Leal is the Horticulture Lab Technician in the Environmental Horticulture & Design program at Foothill College, helping to maintain and manage our 2-acre Horticulture Laboratory complete with a professional greenhouse, plant nursery, construction lab, and a variety of garden landscapes. A third-generation landscaper from San Jose, Rudy grew up immersed in the landscape industry, developing a lifelong appreciation for plants, design, and the craft of horticulture. He is a graduate of Foothill College’s Horticulture program, where he built on his family’s hands-on experience with formal horticultural education. Today, Rudy brings his practical knowledge, technical skills, and passion for horticulture to the Foothill College community, supporting students as they develop the skills and experience needed to succeed in the field.
Daniel Svenson - Adjunct Faculty, Former Program Director
Daniel Svenson - Adjunct Faculty, Former Program Director
Daniel Svenson is an adjunct faculty member and retired program director in the Environmental Horticulture & Design department at Foothill Community College. Daniel is a landscape architect with decades of experience in horticulture, landscape design & installation, and higher education. His background reflects a strong commitment to sustainable landscape practices, plant knowledge, and preparing students for careers in the horticulture and design fields. Daniel was responsible for fundraising and designing our new 2-acre Horticulture Laboratory, and is currently still teaching Irrigation Design as well as acting as an advisory role to our program.
Daniel Svenson is an adjunct faculty member and retired program director in the Environmental Horticulture & Design department at Foothill Community College. Daniel is a landscape architect with decades of experience in horticulture, landscape design & installation, and higher education. His background reflects a strong commitment to sustainable landscape practices, plant knowledge, and preparing students for careers in the horticulture and design fields. Daniel was responsible for fundraising and designing our new 2-acre Horticulture Laboratory, and is currently still teaching Irrigation Design as well as acting as an advisory role to our program.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse