The Green Jay Team
Jay Archer Landscape Designer, Naturalist, Landscape Ecologist, Environmental Educator
Jay Archer is one of the East Coast’s leading advocates for ecological landscaping, native plants, and organic land care. In addition to creative landscape design, construction, and management, he has lectured extensively at the New York Botanical Garden, the Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies, the Native Plant Center in Westchester, the Connecticut Association for Wetland Scientists, the Ecological Landscape Alliance, and the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association on subjects ranging from rain gardens and stormwater management to wetland and ecological restoration. His firm, Green Jay Landscape Design, works with homeowners, individuals, schools, and communities to improve the landscape environment, while conserving, preserving and protecting our precious natural resources for our children and our children’s children. Jay says, “any given living space can be improved aesthetically, ecologically, and economically by analyzing and examining the existing conditions and then developing a design plan and an action protocol."
Lora Archer Principal
As a sailor, Lora developed a love of nature in all its manifestations. In a wonderfully mysterious and satisfying journey, she has developed a unique position to contribute her expertise in financial resource management and not-for-profit service to the ever-evolving ecological landscape movement. With boundless curiosity and generosity of heart, Lora unswervingly strives to achieve Green Jay's ultimate vision and mission to create models of ecologically-sustainable landscape environments.
Kathryn Saphire Vice President of Landscape Development & Marketing
Kathryn's creative eye and innate curiosity for the natural world meld intuitively in the field of ecological landscaping. She studied landscape design at the New York Botanical Garden and holds a B.A. in Geography from the University of Denver. She joined GJLD seeking to reverse environmental degradation in a beautiful way, and she continues to be enamored by the intricacies of ecology around us. Kathryn assists GJLD with project management, design renderings, gardening, marketing, and social media. Outside of work, Kathryn enjoys backpacking, climbing, painting, and live music.
Aztlan Cabrera Manager: Landscape Construction & Masonry
Aztlan's love and natural affinity for working with stone is evident in each one of our uniquely-artistic projects. It takes a rare ability to combine landscape plants with elements of water and stone. His boundless enthusiasm, love of life, and timeless work ethic combine to imbue each landscape with joy. In his free time, Aztlan hones his rare rock and gem collection.
Uziel Crescenzi Director of Landscape Design Development
Uziel is passionate about ecologically sound placemaking. As an undergraduate he changed his major from architecture to plant science and transferred to the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill. Since graduation, he has interned at the Arnold Arboretum, Wave Hill and The American Gardener, experiences that prompted him to complete the Master of Landscape Architecture program at The City College of New York, Bernard Anne Spitzer School of Architecture. In his spare time Uziel enjoys exploring the outdoors, playing the guitar, and a good BBQ
Bronwyn Gropp Landscape Design Associate
For over a decade, Bronwyn has honed her skills at award-winning firms and working freelance - designing landscapes that are approachable, visually compelling, and sustainable. Her background in art, combined with a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the Spitzer School of Architecture, informs her creative vision and thoughtful design process. Each project she undertakes reflects a seamless balance of beauty, whimsy, and practicality.
Growing up in the Bronx, just steps from the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), inspired Bronwyn’s deep-rooted passion for nature and a career dedicated to landscape design. When she’s not working in the field or at her desk, Bronwyn finds joy in quiet moments with a book, spending winters on the slopes with family and friends, and expressing her creativity by arranging flowers from her garden.
Alessandro Casiraghi Director of Business Management
Sharing the same holistic view of business as ecology, Alex ensures that every gear of the Green Jay organization works together in harmony. He studied public and nonprofit business management at Bocconi University School of Management in Milan and has worked for ten years in both public and private companies. Alex joined Green Jay Landscape Design from Italy to make a difference in the local environmental and ecological movement. In his free time, Alex likes pushing his limits and practicing endurance sports. He became an Ironman in September 2018.
Freddie Bria Project Manager
Prior to Freddie joining our team, he worked in corporate as a Marketing Analyst. It was his curiosity about nature, and interest in wildflowers, that motivated him to change careers and join GJLD. As Project Manager, Freddie is excited to work alongside the designers and crew helping with design, materials and logistics to create ecological masterpieces. During his free time, Freddie enjoys hiking, swimming, playing the piano and spending quality time with his friends and family around the dinner table.
Alfonso Ramirez Gardening Foreman
Alfonso has decades of experience in the landscaping industry. He was drawn to Green Jay Landscape Design because of the opportunity to switch to organic landscaping, which resonated with him and his love for nature. One of his favorite hobbies is going out for walks when the weather is nice and collecting baseball cards.
Eduard Gomez Acevedo Crew Leader
Eduard is passionate about creating beauty outdoors through fine gardening and landscape installation. Finding an organic landscaping company was a priority in his job search. One of his favorite hobbies is photography, a passion he’s had since childhood.
Robin Simmons Crew Leader
Robin has always loved nature and being outdoors. He recently moved from a little village in England to Manhattan and missed having the countryside at his doorstep. Robin has over eight years of experience in the landscaping industry and wanted to continue this career path in the US. Green Jay was an appealing workplace to him because of the company’s commitment to improving the environment. While not at work, Robin enjoys carving wood, creating art for the local garden and spending time going to the great outdoor amusements New York has to offer, like the NYBG, Bronx Zoo and aquariums, with his wife and daughter.
Low-Impact Development, General Contracting, Residential Sustainable Stewardship, and More
We specialize in regenerative landscape design and full-service installation. As general contractors, we can work with multiple architects, engineers, and specialty contractors to complete complex projects. Take a closer look at what we can do for you:
Landscape Design
Our ecological landscape design and eco consulting services result in exceptional outdoor spaces that meet your vision for your landscape while supporting the natural world. Visit our Landscape Design page for more information.
Native Gardens
We prioritize using native plants in all of our garden designs. Whether you’re looking for a pollinator garden, a wildflower meadow, a permaculture landscape, or new foundation plantings, our seasoned designers can craft your naturalistic landscape.
Landscape Installation & Site Development
We build what we design. From initial site development to crafting custom landscape features, we focus on quiet installations following the Sustainable SITES Initiative.
Artistic Masonry & Hardscape
We can install a variety of hardscaping ranging from natural stone walkways, paths and steps to patios and retaining walls.
Stormwater Management & Drainage
Erosion control is essential for the protection of your soil, plants, buildings, and hardscaping. Our stormwater management solutions include bioswales, rain gardens, dry streams, and more, customized to the needs of your property.
Organic Sod and Turf
From soil remediation to compost and sod installation, we can reinvigorate a tired yard and create a healthy natural space for you and your family to enjoy.
Irrigation, Lighting & Sound
We partner with quality irrigation system providers for design and installation based on planting zones to maximize water conservation and efficiency. We can add custom lighting and sound to further enhance your outdoor living space.
Driveways
We’ll coordinate driveway resurfacing and stone driveways with our Preferred Partners in the Westchester County, New York area to help you create a welcoming entrance to your home.
Tree Services
Ensure the trees on your property are healthy and contributing to the ecosystem. We can plant new ones for you or remove those that are sick, damaged, or threatening to interfere with buildings or underground cables.
Setting the Standard for Ecologically Responsible Landscaping Companies in Westchester County, NY, and the Tri-State Area
We offer regenerative design and ecological restoration in the Eco-Region 59, the Northeast Coastal Zone, which includes communities in Westchester County, New York, and within an approximate 50-mile radius of White Plains. Below is a selection of the towns we work in. For a more detailed list, visit our Service Area page:
Westchester County, New York
- Bedford, New York (including Bedford Hills)
- Chappaqua, New York
- Croton-on-Hudson, New York
- Dobbs Ferry, New York
- Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
- Katonah, New York
- Irvington, New York
- Larchmont, New York
- Lewisboro, New York
- Mamaroneck, New York
- Pound Ridge, New York
- Rye, New York
- Scarsdale, New York
- South Salem, New York
Bergen County, New Jersey
Essex County, New Jersey
Fairfield County, Connecticut
- Fairfield County
- Greenwich, Connecticut (and surrounding neighborhoods)
- Darien, Connecticut
- New Canaan, Connecticut
- Ridgefield, Connecticut
Putnam County, New York
Expand Your Knowledge and Earn Competitive Pay as You Work to Create Beautiful, Sustainable Landscapes
We offer excellent career opportunities for passionate, hardworking professionals who have a love of nature and a desire to work outdoors. Expand your knowledge and grow as a landscaping expert with paid training and education, as you help us improve the environment and encourage interaction with the natural world. Visit our Careers page to learn more and apply today.
