Kayli O'Hara Vest
Thousand Oaks,CA
Summary
California Certified Nursery Professional eager to further develop knowledge of arboriculture. Highly motivated employee that learns new technology quickly and is content working independently or in a team. Excellent communicator, whether that be among a team or with clients.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Home Ignition Zone Evaluator
Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains
11.2025 - Current
- Evaluated structures and landscapes for vulnerabilities, contributing to Wildfire Resilience Program that aids Los Angeles County homeowners in improving safety.
- Produced comprehensive reports using Survey 123 and ArcGIS to analyze wildfire risks, enhancing understanding for homeowners and stakeholders.
CCNP Horticulture Sales Associate, Department Head
Armstrong Gardens Center
09.2023 - Current
- Identified pests and plants, provided customer service and sales support, designed landscapes, made purchasing decisions from vendors, and managed register functions.
- Performed nursery maintenance through pruning, watering, and fertilizing plants to ensure plant health and quality.
- Organized and led educational classes for the community.
Milkweed Technician
Santa Monica Mountains Fund
05.2024 - 12.2024
- Population mapping and record keeping with ArcGIS and Survey 123.
- Native plant identification and propagation.
- Lead interns on extensive hikes (2-12 miles) for field work.
- Utilized 4 x 4 vehicles on rugged terrains for fieldwork.
- Organized and presented at Santa Monica Mountain Fund’s 2024 Milkweed Symposium to raise awareness about milkweed conservation.
- Coordinated community outreach efforts to educate residents and distribute milkweed.
Tree Apprentice
UC Davis Arboretum and Public Gardens
Davis
10.2022 - 08.2023
- Nursery production and maintenance: Propagation from seeds and cuttings, transplanting and pruning trees at various stages of life, and monitoring tree health using ArcGIS.
- Collaborated with staff on garden maintenance, landscape design projects, and interpretive signage.
- Assisted in organizing community tree plantings and mentored Urban Tree Stewardship Interns.
Student Research Assistant III (STDT3)
UC Davis Plant Sciences Department
04.2021 - 01.2023
- Organized seeds for drought-resistant bean experiments and assisted in field design.
- Assisted in neutron probe and porometer measurements.
- Assessed flower and bean maturity.
- Entered data into Excel and Google Sheets to maintain accurate records.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Horticulture & Urban Forestry
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA06-2023
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Policy Analysis & Planning
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA06-2023
Skills
- Firewise Landscaping
- Vegetation Assessment
- Field Data Collection
- ArcGIS, Geospatial Analysis
- Survey 123
- Community Engagement
- Report Writing
Certification
- California Certified Nursery Professional, CCNP
- Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, First Aid Combo
- California Driver's License
- Photovoltaic Proficiency Certificate
Timeline
Home Ignition Zone Evaluator
Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains
11.2025 - Current
Milkweed Technician
Santa Monica Mountains Fund
05.2024 - 12.2024
CCNP Horticulture Sales Associate, Department Head
Armstrong Gardens Center
09.2023 - Current
Tree Apprentice
UC Davis Arboretum and Public Gardens
10.2022 - 08.2023
Student Research Assistant III (STDT3)
UC Davis Plant Sciences Department
04.2021 - 01.2023
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Horticulture & Urban Forestry
University of California, Davis
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Policy Analysis & Planning
University of California, Davis