Meet the Instructors

Christine is a wife, dog-mom, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend. A Skilled Trades BC-certified Production Horticulturalist, she holds a diploma in Horticulture with a specialization in sustainable crop production from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Christine is interested in using technology and automation for sustainable greenhouse production.

As a lifelong learner with a passion for making information accessible, Christine aims to include universal design learning practices to  connect with learners from diverse backgrounds.  Christine enjoys exploring the naturescapes on Vancouver Island.  She spends her free time trail running with her dog, encouraging pollinators into her home garden, and rock climbing.

Christine Quist Profile Image

A little about me and my life to this point!

I grew up in the Burnaby area as a sports and nature enthusiast. I consider myself very creative, enthusiastic, and fun! I love crafts, photography, plants, and the outdoors. 

I enjoy working with people and as my career has grown, my mantra has been “to design garden spaces to look good and feel good!”

I have had the opportunity and joy to have worked in the horticultural industry for over 30 years. After graduating with my Landscape Design and horticulture diploma, I first worked in Murray Nurseries in southlands from 1988-1993.

I then decided to spread my wings and became the owner and operator of Shoreline landscape design ltd. for now over 30 years. Shoreline has specialized in residential garden consultation, design, and installation.

I then decided I wanted another challenge and teach what I love!  So went back to school and achieved my Provincial Instructors diploma. And got lucky and was able to get a faculty instructor position at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Langley with the horticultural diploma and apprenticeship programs for the last 10 years.

I also worked part time teaching with Burnaby Community Education with their horticultural Hardscape, Plant id certificate, Pruning certificate, Plant placement and design certificate and Apprenticeship programs.

I also teach as an adult education instructor at Van Dusen Gardens and with the Vancouver master gardener programs.  And then when I have time, I do presentations for lower mainland garden clubs that are willing to listen to me!

Now, hoping to have some fun at VIU!

Credentials:

-          Landscape Design and horticultural diploma, Floral design Certificate, Arborist Certificate, Arborist risk assessor, Red Seal Journeyman ticket, level 1 irrigation certificate, ICPI - paver installation certificate and a Provincial Instructors diploma

Kelsey's love of nature, the outdoors, and gardening has propelled her along her educational and professional paths. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Biology from Simon Fraser University and a Master's in Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph. Between her studies she was introduced to gardening, and carried-out year-round landscape maintenance in North and West Vancouver.  Kelsey moved to Nanaimo in 2008, where she grew her skills in landscape architecture and park planning, with experience in both the private and public sectors.  Feeling the pull of garden, Kelsey began growing and selling cut-flowers from the end-of her driveway in 2019, and in 2020 she began serving her own landscape design and garden-coaching clients, with the goal to connect people with nature and each other through gardening and garden design.  Kelsey is now taking her enthusiasm for the wonderful world of plants and growing gardens to a new level by teaching in VIU's Horticulture Technician Foundation Program.  She is a registered Landscape Architect, Organic Master Gardener and member of the Garden Coach Society... as well as a mom to her two young boys!

Eugene joins us as a Certified Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist and an Organic Master Gardener. He has been the owner/operator of an environmentally friendly landscaping company in Nanaimo for the past 12 years. He started teaching in the Horticulture program in August of 2020.

He brings us a wealth of knowledge as he grew up in the industry. His father managed a large production nursery, and his mother had a small nursery business growing annuals and creating hanging baskets.

Eugene is excited to share his passion for plants with students. He wants to as instill a good work ethic and encourage transformation and growth within the industry. Eugene is happily married with two daughters, has a passion to grow his own food and is a long-time member of the Search & Rescue Team.

Jessica is on leave from leading the horticulture department to act as the Trades and Applied Technology Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Specialist. Jessica collaborates with the Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning at Vancouver Island University (VIU) to support faculty in enhancing their teaching practice. Jessica continues to work with the VIU horticulture instructional team to support instructor professional development and curriculum design.

As a teacher and instructional designer, Jessica aims to design empowering learning environments to provide learners with real-life problem-solving opportunities. In 2020, Jessica was awarded a VIU Provost Award for Teaching Design and Practice that Employs Experiential Learning. The Provost Awards recognise faculty at Vancouver Island University (VIU) for excellence in teaching.

Jessica brings a diverse knowledge of trades and applied technology industries and consulting and facilitation experience to her role at VIU. Her work experience includes the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario, the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, landscape planning in the West Indies, exhibit design at the Metro Toronto Zoo, urban habitat enhancement and natural system restoration. In addition, Jessica led Gemella Design Inc. (2005 - 2021), an award-winning landscape consulting practice on Vancouver Island. Her practice cultivated healthy living by designing restorative, vibrant, and beautiful landscapes across several spatial scales – from home gardens to public parks and open space systems.

Jessica is a registered professional landscape architect (BCSLA #286, under the BC Architects Act) and an International Society of Arborist (ISA) Certified Arborist. She graduated from the University of Guelph’s Bachelor of Landscape Architecture honour program. More recently, Jessica completed the Provincial Instructor Diploma (PIDP). Jessica is pursuing a Master of Arts in Learning and Technology at Royal Roads University.

Jessica's Provost Teaching Award Nomination Package