Designing the Urban Forest

Aneliya Bargon is a skilled Landscape Designer dedicated to creating environmentally conscious designs that promote sustainability and harmony with nature. At Dark Moss, she specializes in preparing permit-compliant landscape and irrigation plans, ensuring alignment with local regulations and standards. Aneliya plays a vital role in coordinating agency reviews to streamline approval processes and conducting comprehensive site visits and final inspections to uphold quality and precision.

With over six years of experience in landscape architecture, Aneliya has worked on diverse projects that blend functionality with ecological responsibility. During her time as a Design Intern at the Colorado Center for Community Development, she collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful community designs, from site analyses to conceptual renderings.

Aneliya earned her Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Colorado – Denver and is an active member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Outside of work, she enjoys exploring innovative design approaches and sharing her passion for creating spaces that inspire both people and nature.

Biróg Brook Levin brings over 13 years of experience in landscape architecture and 7 years in arborist work to her role as a Design Associate at Dark Moss. She specializes in organizing tree survey data, transforming fieldwork into comprehensive tree inventory and disposition plans for clients.

Before joining Dark Moss, Biróg worked as a Design Technician at Ekistics Design Studio and contributed as an Avian Survey Technician at the University of Maine. Her diverse background includes expertise in UMAM assessments and training as an Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent.

Biróg attended the University of Florida and combines her technical proficiency with a passion for wildlife and ecological preservation. When not working, she enjoys tabletop role-playing games, medieval reenactments, and sharing stories about her adventures with birds—having been bitten by more species than most people can name.

As Personal Assistant, Sarah Peterika ensures the seamless functionality of the company’s daily operations. With a knack for creating efficient workflows, Sarah plays a key role in fostering a positive workplace environment while managing vital office systems and supplies.

Before joining Dark Moss, Sarah was a Certified Athletic Trainer with CORA Physical Therapy, where she gained diverse experience in orthopedic clinics, collegiate athletics, and even APP pickleball tournaments. Her expertise in coordinating injury protocols, setting schedules, and maintaining clear communication laid the foundation for her passion for administrative excellence.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Florida State University and is currently pursuing the Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence. Outside of work, she is inspired by the idea that “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together,” as Vincent van Gogh aptly said.

Dalton Smith brings over a decade of expertise to his role as a Consulting Arborist. His work centers on enhancing urban forestry through comprehensive tree health evaluations, risk assessments, and collaborative urban tree management strategies. Dalton plays a pivotal role in aiding developers with sustainable tree preservation plans and inventory management.

Before joining Dark Moss, Dalton managed the City of Jacksonville’s urban forestry program, overseeing budgets, coordinating teams, and implementing innovative tree maintenance strategies. He also contributed to critical forest health research at Auburn University, focusing on southern pine ecosystems.

Dalton holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and Forest Conservation from the University of Florida. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and holds Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Passionate about both roots and resilience, Dalton’s favorite projects include witnessing successful tree preservation efforts in urban development. Outside work, he enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking with family and friends, and fostering community connections.

Elise Willis specializes in tree inventories, risk assessments, and preservation plans as a Consulting Arborist. With over a decade of experience in arboriculture and urban forestry, Elise expertly integrates technical knowledge with a commitment to community-focused forestry solutions.

Her career highlights include managing urban forestry programs at Canopy in Palo Alto, CA, where she launched impactful tree planting initiatives, and conducting research in Tampa’s urban canopy as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida. Elise is an active voice in the field, presenting at conferences and authoring peer-reviewed articles on sustainable urban tree practices.

Elise earned her Master of Science in Horticultural Science and Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida. An ISA Certified Arborist and Chair of the Student and Early Career Arborist Committee for the ISA Florida Chapter, Elise is deeply engaged in advancing the profession. Beyond work, she enjoys mentoring emerging professionals and advocating for urban forestry education.

Ricky Peterika is the founder of Dark Moss, where he oversees all firm operations and leads both the consulting arborist and landscape architecture teams. With nearly two decades of experience in the industry, Ricky has been at the forefront of designing Florida-friendly landscapes and providing innovative tree preservation solutions.

Ricky’s expertise includes developing and maintaining proprietary tree inventory software and providing interdisciplinary consulting services for large-scale projects. His career highlights include serving as project arborist for over 60 rezoning cases in Tampa and leading the landscape design of numerous multi-family developments across Central Florida.

Holding a Master of Architecture from the University of South Florida, Ricky is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist, AICP Planner, and a LEED Accredited Professional. He has also served on the executive committees of the Florida Urban Forestry Council and the American Society of Consulting Arborists.

Ricky has also contributed as a board member for the Hillsborough County Land Use Appeals Board and the City of Tampa Variance Review Board, where he supported fair land use practices.