About Me

Hi, I’m Kim Cotter, a soon-to-be graduate from the Portland Community College Landscape Design program. I’m passionate about creating beautiful, sustainable spaces that nurture both clients and the planet. Growing up in a farming community in Alaska, I was always surrounded by nature, and I still feel most at home wandering through a forest or a field of crops.

I moved to Oregon in 2001, drawn to its moss-covered trees. I spent 13 years as a baker and wedding cake decorator and then shifted careers after the birth of my child. In 2021, I enrolled at PCC to study Landscape Design, and I haven’t looked back. I farmed in upstate New York for the summer of 2022. There I learned about regenerative farming and saw my first monarch butterflies. I studied permaculture at OSU in 2022. I have volunteered with the Backyard Habitat Program since 2023 and have worked towards getting my yard gold certified. Most recently, I worked at Sauvie Island Native Nursery, where I honed my knowledge of native plants and learned propagation techniques.

Now, I’m dedicated to using smart, sustainable practices to preserve our planet. In my designs, I focus on water conservation, native plants and pollinator-friendly plants, and supporting biodiversity to build a sustainable future for generations to come.