Doug Halter’s passion is plants. He has a landscaping design business. He’s also on the board of directors for the Ventura Botanical Gardens.

Doug began his business career as an engineer working for Fortune 100 companies. it wasn’t until Judy Fairchild asked him—pleaded, is more the case—to landscape her home that Doug shifted his career away from engineering to horticulture.

The new Botanical Garden goes before the Parks & Recreation Commission Wednesday, October 20, 2010. If approved there, the project moves forward towards an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Optimistically, the committee plans to break ground on the Ventura Botanical Garden in the first quarter of 2011.

The new Botanical Garden will be a welcome addition to the community. It will feature a Discovery Center, a Picnic Center and a Heritage Center.

Listen to the entire interview below: