Wayne Barber
OwnerLandscape Design, South Dakota State University
Co-founded Next to Nature in 2002 and has spent 35 years in the green industry. Leads landscape design and works with clients from the first site visit through installation.
2002
Landscaping Kansas City since
About
Built on integrity, innovation and hard work.
Next to Nature Landscape was founded in 2002 by Wayne Barber and David Ward. What started with five full-time employees now runs with more than 180 people in peak season, and has become the standard for high-quality commercial and residential maintenance and landscape services in the Kansas City area.
We design, install and maintain: turf, tree and shrub applications, snow removal, upscale landscape installation, outdoor living spaces, lighting and irrigation systems. The work is built on integrity, innovation and hard work, and it turns a yard into an addition to your home rather than just somewhere to walk the dog.
The year Wayne Barber and David Ward founded the company
2002
Peak-season employees across design, installation and maintenance
180+
Years of combined green industry experience in our management team
75+
Years of combined tenure at Next to Nature among our managers
50+
Our values
Integrity, innovation and hard work.
Integrity
We say what a project will take and what it will cost, then we do that. Our designers meet you in person to review the plan before anything is installed.
Innovation
WiFi-controlled lighting and irrigation, a seven-step lawn program and in-house design tools, because the better tool usually makes the better landscape.
Hard work
More than 180 people in peak season, working in house rather than subcontracted, so the crews on your property answer to the company that drew the plan.
Leadership
The people who set the direction.
Both owners are still in the business day to day, alongside a management team carrying more than 75 years of combined green industry experience.
David Ward
OwnerHorticulture, Kansas State University
Co-founded the company alongside Wayne Barber in 2002 and brings 45 years of horticulture and green industry experience to the business.
Adam Lang
Landscape Design ManagerHorticulture and Landscape Design, Kansas State University
Joined in 2009 and has 29 years in the industry. Manages the design team and the plans that go out to installation.
Austin Hall
Director of Operations
Joined in 2014 with 13 years in the industry. Runs day-to-day operations across the installation and maintenance crews.
Open roles
Join the premier landscaping company in the Kansas City metro.
Health, dental and vision insurance, a 401K with company match, paid vacation days, paid holidays and competitive pay. Roles run from crew and technician positions through to design and account management.
