Jo lives in Brunswick West and is passionate about bringing wild, living beauty to Melbourne’s inner north.

Following 6 years as Co-Director of Wild Urban Green (2019-2025), working with her team to design and create beautiful wild-but-cared-for residential gardens, Jo is now expanding her vision to shared urban spaces.

Jo approaches every garden with a deep belief in restoration, resourcefulness, and hope. Shaped by a childhood of “using what you have” and valuing what already exists, she chooses to revitalise rather than replace — reusing materials, honouring the land, and helping neglected spaces flourish again. For Jo, digging in the dirt is an act of care: a way to touch the earth, breathe deeper, and create pockets of calm where people can reconnect with nature and each other. She sees diversity — in plants and in people — as the foundation of resilience, and her co-creation approach invites anyone to be part of nurturing the land. Whether it’s a courtyard, nature strip , or wild school garden, Jo believes even the smallest green spaces can restore joy, spark creativity, and inspire hope for the future.

Jo holds a PhD in medical biology from the University of Melbourne. Her 15+ years spent as a researcher mean she brings self-drive, complex problem-solving skills and a love of collaboration and team-work. Tended Earth provides Jo with the opportunity to combine these strengths with her love of people, plants and the land to develop positive ecological programs and projects for local communities.