Meet Our Team

Trained and Experienced Experts

We have licensed and certified personnel who are qualified to work in our field: pesticide applicator licenses for turf and ornamentals, aquatics, right of way, and forestry plus OSHA safety certifications. We do significant training to insure that we are prepared and ready for your job.

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Mark LaBarge

Contact: 314.393.5075
mark@nativelandscape.biz
Steve Cavin

Contact: 314.393.0659
steve@nativelandscape.biz
Heather Oplt

Contact: 314.728.1837
heather@nativelandscape.biz
Alex Meinders
Contact: 314-544-7918 alexm@nativelandscape.biz
Peter Branson
Contact: 314-544-7918 peterb@nativelandscape.biz

Proud Affiliations

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missouri

Mark LaBarge

Hometown:

St. Louis, MO

Enthusiastic about:

hunting, fishing, American history, family

Background info:

Mark is a founder and principal of Native Landscape Solutions, Inc. He provides management and leadership skills in strategic planning, financial management and personnel development.

In addition to his role with NLS, Mark serves as President of SFP Landscaping, Inc., a full-service traditional landscape business, which Mark founded in 1985. He served on the Board of Directors of a St. Louis bank for many years and has served on numerous regional and national advisory boards. Mark has a business degree from Loyola University and has taken substantial advanced coursework to further his business education and background.

Mark loves the great outdoors and spends his free time travelling with his wife, two sons (plus their families) to many of America’s spectacular natural sites – fishing and hunting when possible. Mark and his wife, Mary Jo, also spend a significant amount of their free time in volunteer service, working with the Jesuits to advance their ministries.

Favorite Quote:

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

When needing a nature fix in Missouri, you’ll likely find me here:

At a property in St. Charles County near the Mississippi River – duck hunting. I get in the duck blind about 45 minutes before sunrise and enjoy the sounds of nature as the sun gradually starts to light up the sky. There is something special about the beauty of the sun rising over the horizon.

What wildflower (or bird) best represents you and why?

I love all the wildflowers, watching them emerge in Spring and transition into beautiful, colorful blooms. There is a very real optimism that these small fragile spring plants will become spectacular flowering expressions. 

Crazy fact others that may not know about you:

My wife and I spend a lot of time on important volunteer endeavors-and we love it!

STEVE CAVIN

Hometown:

St. Louis, MO

Enthusiastic about:

baseball (4th generation Cardinal fan), his city neighborhood and fishing

Background info:

Steve holds the honor of being the first official employee when NLS began back in 2012. He has over 20 + years of professional site stewardship experience with the St. Louis Public School system and various other learning institutions. With limited time on our client’s sites, he determines the best approach to maximizing his crew’s skills and efficiency (usually with humor) to have the best possible outcome. If you’re looking for Steve, you’ll probably find him outdoors somewhere.

Favorite quote:

“It is all about the hydrology of the site.”

Heather Oplt

Hometown:

Edwardsville, IL

Enthusiastic about:

Improving the environment – especially for wildlife and insects!

Background info:

In 1995, Heather started her career in traditional landscaping and hasn’t looked back since. She came to Native Landscaping Solutions in early 2020 as a Crew Leader and fits right in. Some perks of the job are walking project sites with clients and determining how NLS can make their vision a reality on upcoming stewardship visits. We’re not joking when we say that everybody loves Heather-both in and outside of the office!

Favorite quote:

“Go with your gut feeling.”

When needing a nature fix in Missouri, you’ll likely find me here:

St. Louis Zoo

What wildflower (or bird) best represents you and why?

Ox-eye daisy – always bright and full of cheer spreading positivity.

Crazy fact others that may not know about you:

I get pedicures.

Biggest Fear:

Snakes.

Favorite/Least Favorite food:

favorite – avocado; least – beef