Company
Established in 1981, Ernst Land Design, Inc. has over 30 years of experience designing, installing, and maintaining arrestingly beautiful landscapes for our Nantucket clientele. Architectural Digest, Cape & Islands Home, Beautiful Homes, and other publications have featured our work.
More importantly, however, customers consistently rave about our high standards and professionalism, as well as our landscaping expertise and personalized service. In fact, we are honored to have served many of our clients for over two decades.
At Ernst Land Design, we know the native landscape; we know what plants grow and thrive here; we know what particular species will enhance your property and fit your lifestyle. In addition, because we’re based on Nantucket, we are extremely familiar with building codes and Historic District Commission requirements and are experienced in working within these guidelines.
With managers in place to oversee every aspect of your landscaping needs, Ernst Land Design is uniquely qualified to create, install and maintain breathtaking landscapes that you will enjoy for years to come.
David Troast
President
David Troast is President of Ernst Land Design, Inc. of Nantucket and is considered to be one of the foremost landscape experts on the island. Inspired by a love of the outdoors and a keen design sense, David attended the University of Georgia and in 1986 earned his bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture (BLA). In addition, he is a certified Turfgrass Management professional. Upon graduation, David moved to Nantucket to become a partner at Ernst Land Design, and in 1991, he became Sole Owner of the business.
Since then, David has expanded Ernst Land Design into a full-service landscaping business that provides design, installation and maintenance to the residential clientele of Nantucket. A natural communicator and listener, David is highly regarded for his ability to articulate his customers’ desires and turn them into beautiful landscapes. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and the Nantucket Landscape Association (NLA).
Email:[email protected]
Steve Collette
General Manager
Well into his second decade with Ernst Land Design, Steve continues to be our stalwart General Manager. From his early days as a young horticulture graduate, Steve has grown personally and professionally and now with his wife and two sons calls Nantucket his home. Steve prides himself on being a lifelong learner and enjoys sharing his education with others; whether it be the most current landscape practices, more environmentally friendly products, staying up to date on the latest equipment, or finding new techniques to apply. Steve has a true passion for plants and the landscape profession.
Steve remains entrenched in the greater Nantucket community. He is an active advocate for Nantucket’s harbor water and groundwater protection. Connecting with advocacy and conservation groups, attending educational classes, and speaking up when he feels passionate about a topic, Steve has built a reputation among his peers as someone who is educated, practical, and approachable.
When he isn’t at ELD, Steve can be found helping coach local youth sports teams, making trips back home to Maine, enjoying the beach with his family, and forever working on his golf swing.
Email: [email protected]
Jessica McKeon
Garden Manager
Jessica’s energy and excitement for her work are palpable, and her bright smile tells all. She started with Ernst Land Design in 2016 having received her degree in environmental horticulture with a concentration in landscape design and a minor in Spanish from the University of Maine. Jessica grew up in New Hampshire, helping her parents in their extensive flower, fruit, and vegetable gardens. She fell in love with horticulture as a profession when she realized it was the perfect intersection of art and plants.
Jessica enjoys applying her creative skills and gardening prowess to her garden management at ELD. She enjoys the collaborative process of working with clients to bring color and texture to their full potential in their containers and perennial gardens. Jessica loves the outdoors and enjoys spending her free time at the beach with her son and husband.
Email: [email protected]
Margaret Troast
Garden Manager
Margaret Troast has grown up in and around landscaping. Beginning as a teenager, she spent every summer working at Ernst Land Design. Margaret attended Thacher School in California before returning East to earn her B.S. in Education from The University of Vermont. After graduation, Margaret realized that she truly loved working in the landscape industry and decided to make it her fulltime career. Margaret appreciates the island aesthetic, respects its natural beauty and supports our island culture.
Margaret is in her third year as a garden manager and continues to grow her knowledge of horticulture and landscape design that she began in college. She not only understands the island and its people but also appreciates the dedicated crews who bring the magic to life. In addition to her gardening expertise, Margaret is a talented artist, Certified Personal Trainer, junior member of the Nantucket Land and Water Council, and proud new “parent” to her dog, Nico. Margaret has a great passion for the outdoors and spends her time outside of work running in the moors and enjoying the beach and ocean as much as possible.
Email:[email protected]
78 Old South Road, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554
