Before transitioning to garden design, Alison Shadwell Williams had a successful career producing large-scale community events, including international cycling competitions and parades. However, her lifelong love of gardening ultimately led her to pursue a path dedicated to creating biodiverse, sustainable, and organic landscapes. The pandemic served as a turning point, inspiring her to focus entirely on her passion for environmental stewardship and garden design. Alison’s work reflects a deep commitment to sustainability and addressing climate change, with the goal of making a positive impact on the world. She graduated from the prestigious London College of Garden Design, renowned for producing award-winning designers showcased at the Chelsea Flower Show. In addition to her formal training, Alison holds certifications in sustainability, California native landscaping, and climate studies, as well as a Level 2 Diploma from the Royal Horticultural Society. She is currently pursuing an additional diploma in Planting Design from the London College of Garden Design. Alison has designed sustainable, defensible-space, pollinator-friendly, and biodiverse gardens for a range of projects, including private homes, communal spaces, and a Napa Valley winery. She actively listens to her clients’ vision, integrating the latest design practices to create beautiful, resilient gardens and public spaces. Her design philosophy blends aesthetics with ecological function, prioritizing water-wise strategies, habitat restoration, and climate-adaptive planting. In addition to her design work, Alison is an educator and speaker, offering seminars on defensible space gardening and sustainable landscape practices. She teaches homeowners and communities how to create fire-resistant, ecologically rich gardens that balance safety, beauty, and biodiversity. While she has extensive experience working with California native plants, she is happy designing gardens in a variety of climates and locations.