Jason Dionne, founder of Backyard Sanctuaries, has an intuitive sense for stone placement and water currents. As a boy, his favorite pastime was exploring the creeks, arranging the sticks and stones to play with the water flow. He has worked as a tree farmer, deck builder, irrigation specialist, carpenter and landscaper. When he moved to the Asheville area in 2001, he became certified in Permaculture Design at Earthaven Ecovillage to learn about environmentally-friendly landscaping methods. He later discovered the field of Ecopsychology (using nature re-connection as therapy) and received his bachelors degree in Applied Ecopsychology in 2005. At this time, he knew that he wanted to shift away from creating landscapes that were purely decorative and begin creating spaces that were custom-designed for the client's well-being - sanctuaries to relax, rejuvenate and re-connect to nature and spirit. The sanctuaries exhibit his unique talent for replicating nature's beauty and feel. He lives on a scenic knoll in the mountains with his wife and 2 beloved daughters on their burgeoning organic micro-farm. He and his wife constructed their own off-the-grid home and are currently stewarding a small herd of dairy goats. They will soon be sharing their homestead as an educational center and retreat devoted to living lightly upon the earth in harmony with all its creatures. For more information on their homestead, please visit http://www.yellowsunfarm.blogspot.com/
