Grad profile: A steward of the land

This article is part of a series focusing on the grads of the Dalhousie Class of 2022. Spring Convocation runs from May 24 to June 3 in Halifax and Truro. Read all our profiles here as they are published, and for more information visit the Convocation website.

A full-time stepmom to two young children who is self employed, Victoria Moffatt of Pictou County, N.S., is passionate about plants and excited to support ecological functions through the use of holistic landscape designs.

“As a steward of the land I am committed to thoughtful design and look forward to collaborating with more like-minded professionals to enhance communities throughout our province and protect our precious natural resources,” she said.

After spending many years travelling and studying abroad, Victoria was eager to begin her career in her home province of Nova Scotia.  She began her academic career at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, studying fine art, before moving to British Columbia to pursue photography.  Living a healthy, active lifestyle she then studied holistic nutrition at The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in Vancouver.

“Landscape Architecture is a culmination of my passion for art and design, the living environment, and the health benefits that these bring,” she explained.

A homecoming

While travelling in New Zealand Victoria worked with a landscape architect whose designs were centered on permaculture and modelling nature.

“I was introduced to a friend of a friend who had been practicing as a landscape architect for decades and one of the few in all of New Zealand at the time, I was completely inspired thinking to myself ‘this is a thing?’” she said.  “I was drawn to the AC as there are only a few LA programs offered throughout Canada and I'd been living away from home for quite some time and was eager to come home to NS.”

Victoria is currently self-employed creating small landscape design projects, including garden bed planting, tree planting and garden designs.

“The Landscape Architecture program at Dalhousie includes fascinating courses such as Urban Tree Management, Environmental Studies, Environmental Processes and Ecohydrology,” explained Victoria. “These courses have emphasized the importance of our natural environment and the necessity to work and learn from this beautiful life sustaining ecosystem. As an aspiring landscape architect, I wish to contribute to the profession with my newfound knowledge, drive, and enthusiasm.”

Victoria collaborated with Richard LeBrasseur, an associate professor, and his research group (the Green Infrastructure Performance Lab) in securing funding and designing the AC's new Mi'kmaw Lunar Cycle Garden along the Cobequid Trail.  

“Victoria has shown a strong capacity for meaningful design and use of colors within her work,” said LeBrasseur.

A greener future

Victoria has maintained a working relationship with Halifax-based landscape designer Tara Ralph, owner of Canopy Landscape Design Studio. Working both in-person and remotely with Tara and her clients for nearly a year, she has greatly expanded her industry knowledge and skills in tandem with her education.

Victoria is also a scholarship student and was the recipient of the Bible Hill Garden Club Bursary, the Dartmouth Horticultural Society Scholarship and the Fall River Garden Club Bursary.  

After graduation in May, Victoria will be working with Canopy Landscape and plans to write the Landscape Architecture Registration Exam. Victoria and her partner aspire to open a plant nursery operation that focuses on native plant species that would be incorporated in her designs and an organic farm to enhance local food systems in northern Nova Scotia.

“I believe becoming a landscape architect will allow me to fulfill my passion for plants and the natural world and to leave the world a better place for my children,” she added.