Our Story, 15 Years of BC Adventures & PNW Roots | Danielle & David

Origins & Shared Conviction

Landscapes Crafted in Harmony with North Shore Architecture

Orca Pings is the brainchild of David Bell and Danielle Sharp. United by a reverence for the Pacific Northwest’s rugged topography, they founded the company on a simple conviction: British Columbia’s most revered architects sculpted extraordinary residences into the coastal granite and temperate rainforest—and the outdoor grounds surrounding them deserve the exact same intentionality, care, and architectural respect.

Too often, discerning homeowners across West Vancouver and North Vancouver face an uninspiring choice: either routine maintenance crews applying suburban methods to steep coastal terrain, or detached luxury landscape conglomerates saddled with astronomical markups and layered bureaucracy. David and Danielle established Orca Pings to bridge that divide—offering a bespoke, architecturally aligned landscape studio with direct owner oversight, exquisite craftsmanship, and grounded, accessible pricing.

By uniting David’s extensive background in landscape construction, structural hardscaping, and practical site drainage with Danielle’s dedication to fine gardening, specimen flora, and partnerships with premier local artisans and Pacific Northwest vendors, Orca Pings delivers enduring outdoor environments that stand as natural extensions of the homes they frame.

Craft & Discipline

20+ years of PNW roots and veteran-honed operational precision.

Local Artisans & Botanicals

Curated specimen growers, custom stoneworkers, and BC artisans.

Danielle Sharp and David Bell - Founders of Orca Pings

Danielle Sharp & David Bell

Founders, Orca Pings Landscaping

North Shore, BC

“Every residence along the North Shore was conceived in dialogue with its rugged topography. Our role is to extend that architectural intention outward—anchoring living beauty into raw coastal stone.”

Living the Land

Fifteen Years Exploring Every Corner of British Columbia

We don’t just build outdoor spaces from drawings. We explore, hike, paddle, and breathe this province deeper than anyone we know.

For Danielle and myself, British Columbia has never been just a backdrop—it has been our obsession, our playground, and our lifelong classroom for over fifteen years. From misty old-growth forests on Vancouver Island to subterranean limestone at Horne Lake Caves, from glacier-fed mountain summits to open coastal waters, we have journeyed throughout this region more than anyone we know. Every free weekend and shoulder season is spent packing the gear and heading straight into the wild.

“Deep understanding of coastal land doesn’t come from behind a desk. It is learned with boots in ancient cedar needle duff, a paddle in the saltwater of Indian Arm, and an eye trained on how water carves stone.”

We love and actively seek out the culinary culture of our region, stopping by roadside farm stands, buying from independent nurseries tucked into valleys, and discovering small-scale stone quarries. We find pure joy and inspiration in the Pacific Northwest wilderness, and every ounce of that appreciation is brought directly back into our craft.

David and Danielle kayaking on coastal BC waters

Deep Waters Danielle and David exploring BC coastal inlets and ocean waters under towering hemlock and cedar cliffs.

Exploring Horne Lake Caves Vancouver Island

Geology Underground expedition at Horne Lake Caves, observing BC’s raw limestone rock strata up close.

David checking navigation in ancient forest

Navigation David reading slope aspects and terrain contours deep in the West Coast rain canopy.

Danielle hiking in the forest with their cat on leash

Trail Companion Danielle walking our harness-trained cat along a gravel forest trail beside an old-growth cedar.

Adventure cat perched on mossy old-growth trunk

Arboreal Explorer Perched high in mossy cedar forks, soaking in the scent of coastal woods.

Cat peeking out from hollow driftwood log

Driftwood Den Peering out from a sunlit driftwood hollow on an outdoor coastal outing.

Trail Companions

Even Our Cats Join Us on the Trail

For us, exploring British Columbia isn’t a hobby reserved for once-a-year vacations—it’s how we live our lives. And that includes our whole family. For years, we’ve trained and brought our adventurous cats along on forest outings with us in harness, walking soft needle-strewn trails, climbing up mossy old-growth cedar bark, and watching songbirds flutter through sword ferns.

Observing the coastal forest from a cat’s perspective—tuned to the faint trickling of hidden spring water, the scent of rich forest loam, and the natural shelter provided by root arches and dry stone—gives a rare, intimate appreciation for what makes an outdoor landscape feel safe, stimulating, and sanctuary-like. That same gentleness and attention to living details shows up in every garden we sculpt for our clients.

Pet-Safe, Biodiverse Sanctuaries

We deliberately curate non-toxic plant palettes, dog- and cat-friendly groundcovers, secure boundary fencing, and shaded contemplation pockets so your whole household can enjoy the yard in complete safety.

Sourcing & Senses

Local Farms, Valley Nurseries & Pure PNW Inspiration

We spend our days discovering local growers, historic ranches, falconers, and growers across BC, bringing the finest living specimens directly to North Shore properties.

David and Danielle horseback riding at BC countryside ranch

BC Ranchlands Danielle and David exploring open valley ranchlands and heritage equestrian properties across British Columbia.

A Deep Network of BC Growers and Artisans

We curate materials with the discerning eye of culinary farm-to-table chefs. We visit family-run nurseries across the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island, inspect hand-carved stone in regional quarries, and hand-select specimen maples and rhododendrons directly in the ground.

We learn directly from local artisans, equestrian ranch owners, wildlife handlers, and heritage botanical growers. This insatiable curiosity ensures that every plant bed, rock wall, and garden path we build is populated with hardy, regionally adapted varieties that thrive through North Shore winter downpours and drought-prone summer sun.

Wildlife Ecology David learning raptor behavior and coastal ecology amidst towering cedar and maple canopies.

Snowshoeing across winter alpine wilderness

Winter Resilience Winter alpine backcountry exploration, experiencing how heavy snow packs shape terrain.

Bringing It All Home

What This Intimate Regional Love Means for Your Home

When you invite us onto your property in West Vancouver or North Vancouver, you aren’t getting an uninspired template. You are collaborating directly with two people who are genuinely enchanted with this corner of the earth.

Hand-Selected Specimen Botanicals Every tree, perennial, and shrub is hand-picked directly at trusted local nurseries for root vigor, structure, and climate resilience.
Authentic Regional Rock & Enduring Masonry We prioritize authentic local basalt and granite, engineered with proper drainage to withstand torrential rainfall and seasonal shifts.
Direct Owner Care & Zero Bureaucracy Danielle and David are hands-on, directly supervising your project with the transparency and personal dedication of an independent studio.

Schedule a Free On-Site Consultation View Our Gallery

Danielle smiling in North Shore rainforest staircase

Rainforest Inspiration Danielle along a cedar stair trail in the North Shore rainforest—channeling native textures into lush residential garden escapes.