Meet Your Team

Jeff Swano is a naturalist, outdoorsman and avid organic gardener. He graduated in 1984 from the University of Iowa earning a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Environmental Studies and Economics. In 1998, Jeff formed digrightin landscaping as a response to a high demand for his design and gardening talents. In particular, he has a deep understanding of natural earth processes and has studied and assessed local soils, geology and hydrology. (LinkedIn Profile)

Jeff has been instrumental in advancing the protection and better use of our local natural resources. In 1998, he helped form the Salt Creek Watershed Network and served as its Executive Director until 2004. He has also organized countless volunteers to conduct a variety of litter cleanups and woodland restorations.

Jeff served on the Village of Brookfield’s Conservation Commission beginning in 1995, and was its Chairman from 1998 to 2004. His leadership and vision helped Brookfield to develop an award-winning 10-acre oak savanna restoration project, an annual Meet the Creek awareness and education celebration, and the Village’s annual Fall Fest.

He also worked with the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) to develop key recommendations for the wise use of the Chicago area’s local water resources, published in their “Strategic Plan for Water Resource Management“.  He also authored the Economic Benefits section of NIPC’s “Conservation Design Resource Manual–Language and Guidelines for Updating Local Ordinances”.

He has written extensively on a variety of environmental technical issues, including salting and de-icing, co-developed the  Illegal Dumping Economic Assessment (IDEA) model for US EPA, spoke throughout the area on the need to protect and enhance our natural resources, and was a featured presenter at the Wolf Road Prairie speaking on the economic impacts of environmental degradation.

As a result of many of these many efforts, in 2003, Jeff received the Paul Butler Memorial Award from the Naperville-based Conservation Foundation. In 2009, the Brookfield Oak Savanna received a Conservation and Native Landscaping Award from the US EPA and Chicago Wilderness. He was recently featured in The Riverside/Brookfield Landmark for all his green efforts.

Jeff currently serves as a Associate Director on the Save the Prairie Society (at the Wolf Road Prairie) Board of Directors, is a frequent speaker on Eco-friendly Landscaping Techniques for gardening clubs and libraries, and is a guest lecturer for the Horticulture program at College of DuPage.

In 2011, Jeff joined the “Sustainability Committee” for the Illinois Landscape Contractor’s Association.  In 2015 he was appointed Chairman. This committee will bring about change in the way all landscapers think about the environmental impacts of their work. As a result of his efforts leading sustainable landscaping techniques within the industry, the Midwest Ecological Landscaping Association invited Jeff to provide his insights at a conference of landscaping professionals.

A case study of the Dig Right In methodology for organic lawn care has been profiled in the book “The Complete Guide to Organic Lawn Care” by Sandy Baker and in an interview with Angie’s List.

Joined Dig Right In: 2016. Jenna is our senior designer. She earned her Associate of Arts degree from College of DuPage and has a background in fine arts and design. She particularly enjoys custom carpentry design and creative solutions. She may be quiet but her artistic skills are unmatched around here!

Joined Dig Right In: 2020. Amy brings over 18 years experience in landscaping. She has used her skills and experience to continue our commitment to sustainability. Amy is especially knowledgeable and passionate about using products that are safe for all your family members, even the 4-legged ones! When Amy is not working with you to improve your lawn, you can find her hiking on local trails or standing by her smoker on the weekends.

Joined Dig Right In: 2024. Darcy has always has loved science, plants, and art. After a childhood visit to the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, she knew she was called to horticulture. Darcy received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Horticulture from Iowa State University in December 2023 (Go Cyclones!). In her spare time, Darcy loves to read, cook, play tennis, and paint with watercolor.

Joined Dig Right In: 2024. As an organic vegetable and native plant gardener in her own yard, Anne Marie is interested in sharing the joy of growing her own food and the sustainability of native plants with the community. Anne Marie’s yard is a certified Monarch Waystation and she is excited to support Dig Right In’s mission to restore the earth, one yard at a time.