Jay Akerley is a rock and alpine gardening enthusiast with gardens in both Greater Vancouver and high on the Thompson Plateau in BC's Interior.
His degree in Geography from Simon Fraser University and subsequent training at the Pacific Horticulture College in Victoria nurtured an interest in the plants and landscapes of the world's montane and high steppe biomes.
Over the past 15 years, he has been collecting seed in rugged environments across Western North America, contributing to seed exchanges and the collections of specialized growers around the world. He has published over ten articles in various journals, and participated as a volunteer with the North American Rock Garden Society, Alpine Garden Club of BC and other gardening clubs.