Hi, I’m Carianne

I am a native plant expert working to restore native habitats for pollinators and wildlife in urban spaces. I started Strategic Habitat Enhancements in 2019 because I am on a mission to create joyous spaces for people and wildlife with climate-ready native plant choices and strategies.

Smiling woman in a wide-brimmed hat holding a potted green plant, surrounded by other potted plants indoors.

As Seen In

Tucson Lifestyle Magazine

Last Call for the Wild

A person wearing a straw hat, black shirt, and red gloves crouches down working on a garden bed surrounded by rocks in a backyard.
Yellow wildflowers growing amidst rocks and gravel in a desert landscape.

Impact

I have worked on pollinator gardens at National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges, and larger habitat restoration projects in urban and wild places. I’ve been working with local non-profits like the Central Arizona Conservation Alliance, Tucson Bird Alliance, Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, Gila Watershed Partnership, Taproot Collaborative, and the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists, as well as garden clubs including the Oracle Community Learning Garden and the Arizona Columbine Garden Club. I teach an Advanced SmartScape course, “Sustainable Landscaping” through the UA/Pima County Cooperative Extension, and have been working with Master Gardeners in three Arizona counties.

Member of

Logo of the Society for Ecological Restoration Southwest with stylized leaves and text in shades of blue, gray, and lime green.
Green graphic of a plant silhouette over a map of Arizona, with the text 'Arizona Native Plant Society' below.
Logo of the Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce featuring colorful cactus silhouettes.
Smartscape logo featuring a sun, stylized lavender, a sunburst, a bird, and green leaves.
Garden bed with purple flowering plants, rocks, and a yellow wall in the background.
A butterfly with brown and orange patterned wings resting on a small white flower with yellow center, surrounded by green leaves.

Services

Strategic Habitat Enhancements provides site-specific native landscaping consultation services throughout the greater Tucson area. Whether you are a long-time desert dweller, snow-bird, or a newcomer, you are an ideal client if you feel connected to the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert. You may wonder how your landscape can contribute to the health of ecological systems in urban areas. No space is too large or too small. SHE works in spaces that range from courtyards and patios to desert preserves.

Lets create the restorative desert garden you dream about

Cover of Bloom Calendars, a publication about native plants for pollinator and wildlife gardening in Arizona, featuring an illustration of a cactus with yellow flowers and various plants around it.

Download my Bloom Calendars to help guide you in creating a colorful garden all year round.