About Us

B.S. Bioengineering and Environmental Studies.
Permaculture Design Certificate, 2015
Charleston Master Naturalist
Clemson Certified Rain Garden Installer
As an Eagle Scout, outdoor adventures and weekend camping trips constituted the majority of my childhood free time. During my years of scouting, I found a special bond with animals and nature and focused on activities that opened up the curious world of the natural sciences.
One summer, I started doing yard work for a retired botany professor, and in her lush gardens I learned the names of her odd plants and how each contributed to a bigger community. In college, I pursued bioengineering where I learned about the complexity of living systems, the beauty of animal and plant physiology, and the ugliness of environmental carelessness. After graduating, I filled up a backpack and hit the dirt to through-hike the Appalachian Trail. 2,200 miles and six months later, I popped out of the trees with a clear head, strong legs, and even deeper inter-connections with nature. Now my goal is to bring people closer to fulfilling wonders of nature!
Kevin Byrley

Landscaping Manager
I attribute my love for plants to the beautiful Appalachian Mountains where I was born and raised. I spent most of my free time hiking, biking, and swimming in the woods, surrounded by an abundance of biodiversity. After graduating from Appalachian State University in 2016 with a degree in Recreation Management, I moved to Charleston and fell in love with the tropical environment. Working with Living Landscapes and Roots and Shoots Nursery gives me an opportunity to create healthy yards with like-minded gardeners and support Charleston's unique ecosystems.
Rachel Carey
Nursery Co-Manager

Convinced by a friend to take a botany class in college, I ended up loving it! I had already enjoyed hiking and it just became more fun knowing anecdotes about the plant friends I was passing. I kept up with that interest, however it wasn’t until years later I met a mentor who is very adamant about invasive plant control and has made me realize the detriment exotic plants can have on our special ecosystems. From that point on, I became very appreciative of native plants. There's so much variety here in the southeast! Come by the nursery and we can teach each other things.