Our Story
On a September morning in 1999, I awoke to discover a jug of herbicide had spilled out of the back of my work truck, down our driveway and into the base of a beautiful California pepper tree. I frantically hosed the Roundup off the tree roots, creating a sea of foam that confirmed my worst suspicions: I had poisoned the tree.
A week later I had a dream that I cried out to the tree “If you die, I die,” and awoke realizing that the health of the tree represented the health of the planet, and our lives depended upon it. I told my wife Heather about my experience and we made a commitment to never use chemicals in our business again.
From that day forward, our business, Equinox Landscape, became a catalyst for change: designing, installing and maintaining gardens that regenerate the soil, save water, and build healthy ecosystems that enhance our clients’ lives.
We have won many regional awards over the years for the quality of our work, but in 2013 Equinox Landscape was recognized by the California Landscape Contractors Association with an award for the most sustainable garden in the state. Our work has been featured in Garden Design and Pacific Horticulture magazines and the current edition Sunset Western Garden book.
In 2022 we celebrated our 30th anniversary serving Sonoma and Marin counties, proud to be known as leaders in sustainable landscaping. We offer alternative garden solutions that are not only ecologically sound, but relaxing, bountiful and beautiful.
Patrick Picard, CEO and Owner
Our Certifications
Our Team
Patrick Picard
CEO / OWNERPatrick is a Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscaper who is certified in Permaculture Design and Landscape Water Efficiency. Throughout the Bay Area he is known for pioneering ecological landscape practices and changing the way landscapers in the Bay Area do business. Patrick has spoken on sustainability panels for the North Coast Chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association and the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, has taught classes for the Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscaper Program, and has led workshops in Sonoma County converting public lawns into neighborhood food forests.
Madeleine Picard
ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGERPatrick and Heather’s daughter, Madeleine Picard, literally grew up with Equinox Landscape. She was surrounded by more than 2 acres of lush ecological gardens in her childhood cohousing community—a landscape designed by her father. Madeleine now joins the family business, using her innate multitasking and organizational skills to help make the design vision a reality. From sourcing construction materials and plants, to interfacing with the design staff and construction crews, Madeleine keeps all the moving parts in order. In her spare time, Madeleine continues to manage the Airbnb business she started in 2021. She loves plants and gardens, and works on any number of creative DIY projects at the family ranch in southern Santa Rosa.
Kamala Bennett
LANDSCAPER DESIGNERKamala is a regenerative landscape designer and licensed contractor with 20 years experience studying, working and designing ecological landscapes. Co-founder and principal designer of her own design/build firm, as well as Associate Director of the Permaculture Institute of Northern California, she brings initiative and expertise to our team. A degree in World Arts and Culture from UCLA and years as an award-winning set designer for the Hollywood film industry, Kamala's creativity shines through in everything she designs. Her unique approach to landscape design and site planning weaves project objectives, site potential and beneficial plant palettes into whole system landscapes that become functional, living art.
Rafael Mendoza
Construction Division Manager and ForemanRafael has been with Equinox since 1999, working his way up from a construction laborer to division manager. He oversees our construction crews, and collaborates with project managers to bring to life the client’s and designer’s vision. A creative thinker, Rafael is a problem solver, and highly knowledgeable about plant care, irrigation and masonry. For 15 years, his son Rafa worked alongside him before moving on from Equinox. Rafael’s ongoing commitment to the company is deeply valued, and is the glue holding together the construction division. He lives in Santa Rosa and loves spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Eleazar Alvarez
Sustainable Maintenance Division ManagerEleazar is a ReScape California and QWEL certified landscaper. He joined Equinox as an assistant foreman on a construction crew in 2017, and quickly showed his talent for organization and plant care knowledge. Having worked his way up, he is now the manager of our sustainable maintenance division. His keen listening skills and creative problem solving help put clients at ease. Prior to his career in landscaping, Eleazar was a lead chef at the popular Half Day Café in Kentfield, Marin, and he still enjoys cooking for family and friends in his spare time. Married with two children, he lives in Sonoma County.
Jennifer Goetz
Lookkeeper/Office ManagerJenn studied landscape design at the University of Idaho and interned for a Point Reyes designer. She fell in love with the Bay Area while also discovering she had an aptitude for organization and business operations. Jenn's career took a new direction and she spent nearly 10 years working as the operations manager for a software company. When she and her husband started their family, she honed her skills and took on freelance bookkeeping clients. In addition to keeping the Equinox books and operations running smoothly, Jenn is a full-time mother of three children and manages to keep a small garden of low-water Mediterranean climate plants.
