Our Team

Our Design-Build Team carries a diversity of backgrounds that enable us to provide a multifaceted approach to curating spaces that suit your specific needs and desires while working closely with Mother Nature.

David Bailey - Founder/Owner

David studied Environmental Science at Metropolitan State College and is a certified Permaculture Designer sharing observations in and out of classroom settings. As an avid outdoors enthusiast, natural forms and edible native plants/medicines have been an important inspiration. Artists like Andy Goldsworthy provide forms that can be married to natural functions within the landscape. The experience of raising 3 boys created the platform for developing Nature-Based playgrounds and outdoor classrooms.

“I'm relentlessly seeking ecologically sensible landscapes that fit our clients varied visions and unpredictably changing Colorado climate.”

Mikhaila Thornton - Designer / Landscape Craftsman

Mikhaila has explored her dedication to sustainable design with a varied education and career background. Exploring the intersection of multiple design disciplines has been a foundational framework that first started with her interdisciplinary B.A. in Design from Western Washington University. Later, she worked in furniture design and manufacturing where her passion for sustainable construction and material practices developed. Her diverse background and skills offer unique and functional designs that help to positively shape the landscapes in our communities. She is dedicated to continued education in landscape and permaculture design to improve her designs for Urban Oasis. 

Outside of work, Mikhaila enjoys spending her time exploring the outdoors on her bike and hiking while also stopping to admire and identify the delectably diverse local plants here in beautiful Boulder. 

Sarah Burgart - HR Manager / Education

Sarah comes to Urban Oasis from a background in environmental education and non-profit management. She is excited to find new ways through social media and hands on classes to share the wealth of knowledge available at Urban Oasis. She believes that practicing the permaculture principles at work with co-workers is as important as practicing them at work in the garden.

Her beautiful, amazing cattle dog Zeus is always with her. Keeping close watch while she works, or after work hiking up mountains or sailing around at sea with her.

Dave Wolken - Landscape Craftsman

Dave is a recovering academic who has returned to the land stewardship way of life he grew up with. Raised on an acreage with chickens, ducks, gardens, and a hay field, Dave has always been connected to, and fascinated by, the innate intelligence of nature and living systems. He has worked in regenerative farming, trail building, masonry, summer camps, and high ropes courses, among many other jobs. After earning his PhD in inclusive education, embodied cognition, and ecological psychology, he is weaving together all his interests in service of ecological and cultural restoration.

Aside from working with Urban Oasis, Dave is a trauma-informed yoga therapist and budding gardener/urban homesteader. He loves cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, poetry, jazz, and art. In 2024, he'll be completing a Permaculture Design Certificate course with the Regenerative Education Collective of Denver.

And we have many more awesome staff in different areas of our business that choose not to be showcased here … We deeply appreciate everyone’s hard work and commitment to the principles we live and work by.

Join our team

If you’re interested in being a part of our growing team we would love to hear from you!

Check out our CAREERS Page to learn more and apply.