Started in June 2023, we are committed to research, conservation and community-based partnerships that address important environmental and social sustainability issues

Dr. Kimberly Heinemeyer, Founder and Senior Scientist

I started Braided Knowledge Environmental Consulting to provide myself and associates a transparent and simple platform to support our research and community-based projects. Our vision is simple: commitment to social and environmental good; integrity in our relationships and our work; fostering innovative thinking, strong collaborations, and shared passions for Nature and people.

I have worked in conservation and conservation science for over 25 years through affiliations in academia and not-for-profit organizations. These types of organizations provide great benefit to society and conservation. They are the backbone of transformative research and conservation investments. But, there is a unique and important niche for scientists and professional whose highest priorities lie with their projects, communities, and partnerships and not necessarily to an employer, per se. At its simplest, Braided Knowledge strives to allow us to focus primarily and nearly exclusively on our work, without compromise to meet organizational demands, mission, and funding requirements.

Braided Knowledge Environmental Consulting is committed to creating new and powerful solutions and outcomes for our most pressing conservation and community sustainability problems through building upon existing knowledge, generating new knowledge and focusing on wild landscapes and the people who care for and rely upon these special places. The name reflects my commitment to respecting and meaningfully working with many different ways of knowing, and my belief that all diverse systems of knowledge can collaborate to create powerful outcomes.

Dr. Kimberly Heinemeyer

Founder, Senior Scientist

  • Kim is a Conservation Scientist and Wildlife Biologist with decades of experience working on large-scale conservation and in wildlife research. She became committed to braiding knowledge through her work with multiple indigenous communities, particularly in Canada and southern Africa.

    She has extensive experience and skills as a Project and Program Director/Manager successfully developing, supporting and funding teams within complex, multi-faceted initiatives. Kim also serves as a Strategic Advisor to partners, supporing the strategic and programmatic development and management of conservation initiatives and programs.

    Kim had the honor of working under Dr. Michael Soule and Dr. Daniel Doak as her PhD advisors and her mentors. Additionally, she owes much to Steven Minta, who planted her fascination with ecology and taught her the rewards of deep dedication and hard work.

    Kim was able to grow her experience and skill set over decades of building the conservation science program at Round River Conservation Studies, whom she still work closely with on shared projects.

  • Scientist

    • Environmental research, with focus on wildlife ecology and conservation

    • Large-scale conservation and ecological research and decision-making support tools

    • Community-led and science-informed land use planning

    • Ecological data analyses, with emphasis on wildlife ecology

    • Integration of multiple ways of knowing including use of western science, traditional, indigenous and local knowledge

    Project Development and Management

    • Staff and team development and management

    • Environmental, community, land use planning project development and management

    • Conservation research, design, development and management

    • Excellent writing skills including technical as well as general audience and media outlets

    Strategic and Programmatic Developement

    • Fund-raising and large budget management

    • Partner development and maintenance

    • Strategic advising and oversight

  • Holbrook, J., K. Heinemeyer, J. Squires, J. O’Keefe, M. Hebblewhite, J. Copeland. In prep. Backcountry Recreation and Carnivore Behavior: Testing the Assessment Mismatch Hypothesis with Context Dependency in Wolverine

    Fisher, J.T., S. Murray, M. Barrueto, K. Carroll, A.P. Clevenger, D. Hausleitner, W. Harrower, N. Heim, K. Heinemeyer, A. L. Jacob, T. S. Jung, A. Kortello, A. Ladle, R. Long, P. MacKay, M. A. Sawaya. 2022. Wolverines (Gulo gulo) in a changing landscape and warming climate: A decadal synthesis of global conservation ecology research. Global Ecology and Conservation 34 (2022) e02019

    Tyson, W. and K. Heinemeyer. 2020. Arctic climate change research and monitoring: A review for use on the Yukon North Slope. Report prepared for the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (Yukon North Slope). Available at: wmacns.ca/resources/arctic-climate-change-research-and-monitoring/

    Gustafson, J. and K. Heinemeyer. 2020. Collaborative wildlife co-governance review and recommendations final report. Prepared for the 3Nation-BC Collaborative Stewardship Forum. Available at www.roundriver.org or 3nations.org/collaborative-stewardship-framework

    Heinemeyer, K., J. Squires, M. Hebblewhite, J. Smith, J. Holbrook and J. Copeland. 2019. Wolverine in winter: Indirect habitat loss and functional responses of wolverines to backcountry winter recreation. Ecosphere 10(2):1-23.

    Heinemeyer, K, J. O’Keefe, D. Evans Mack. 2019b. Use of aerial surveys to monitor backcountry winter recreation and predict associated wolverine habitat use. Report to Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Round River Conservation Studies. 20p.

    Squires, J. R., K. Heinemeyer, M. Hebblewhite. 2018. A study of shared winter habitats: tracking forest carnivores and backcountry recreationists. The Wildlife Professional 2018(1): 45-49.

    Copeland, J. P., A. Landa, K. Heinemeyer, K. Aubry, J. van Dijk, R. May, J. Persson, J. Squires, and R Yates. 2017. Chapter: Social ethology of wolverine. Editors Macdonald, D., C. Newman and L. Harrington. Pages 389-398 in Biology and conservation of Musteloids. Oxford University Press.

    Smith, J. and K. Heinemeyer. 2016. Modeling talus habitat using NAIP imagery and topographic features in portions of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Report prepared for Idaho Department of Fish and Game. 43p. Available at: www.roundriver.org/wolverine

    Heinemeyer, K., J. Squires, M. Hebblewhite, J. Smith, J. Holbrook and J. Copeland. 2017. Investigating the interactions between wolverines and winter recreation use: Final Report. Submitted to the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station and the Payette, Boise and Sawtooth National Forests. Available at: www.roundriver.org/wolverine

    Merkle, J.A., Polfus, J., Derbridge J.J., and Heinemeyer, K. 2017. Dietary niche partitioning among black bears, grizzly bears and wolves in a multi-prey ecosystem. Canadian J. Zool. 95:663-671.

    Heinemeyer, K., G.S. Masunga, K. Orrick, M. Sinvula, S. Dain-Owens, J. Smith. 2016. Community-based wildlife monitoring for selected concessions of Chobe and the Okavango Delta 2013-2015. Submitted to the Okavango Research Institute and the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Available at www.roundriver.org

    Heinemeyer, K. and J. Squires. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. Investigating the interactions between wolverines and winter recreation use: 2010 annual report. Submitted to the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station and the Payette, Boise and Sawtooth National Forests. Available at: www.roundriver.org/wolverine

    Heinemeyer, K, R. Karima and V. Kasupi. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. Kunene Regional Ecological Assessment: Wildlife Monitoring Initiative. Annual Progress Reports to the Namibia Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Available at: www.roundriver.org

    Polfus, J. L., K. Heinemeyer, M. Hebblewhite and the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. 2014. Comparing traditional ecological knowledge and western science woodland caribou habitat models. JWM 78:112–121.

    K. S. McKelvey, K.B. Aubry, N.J. Anderson, A. P. Clevenger, J. P. Copeland, K. S. Heinemeyer, R. M. Inman, J. R. Squires, J. S. Waller, K. L. Pilgrim and M. K. Schwartz. Recovery of wolverines in the Western United States: Recent extirpation and recolonization or range retraction and expansion? JWM 78(2): 325-334

    Polfus, J.L, M. Hebblewhite and K. Heinemeyer. 2011. Identifying indirect habitat loss and avoidance of human infrastructure by northern mountain woodland caribou. Biol. Cons. 144:2637-2646.

    Polfus, J.L., K.S. Heinemeyer, M. Hebblewhite. 2010. Atlin northern mountain caribou habitat modeling and cumulative human impact assessment. Final report submitted to the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. Available at http://www.roundriver.org/index.php/taku-river/reports-a-publications

    Heinemeyer, K. S. and P. C. Griffin. 2008. Linear density estimation for population monitoring of grizzly bear along salmon rivers. Report to Round River Conservation Studies and the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. Available at http://www.roundriver.org/index.php/taku-river/reports-a-publications

    Heinemeyer, K. S., T. J. Ulizio, and R. L. Harrison. 2008. Natural Sign: Tracks and Scats. Pages 45-74 in Noninvasive survey methods for carnivores; eds R. A. Long, P. MacKay, W. J. Zielinski, J. C. Ray. Island Press.

    Heinemeyer, K. S. and D. F. Doak. 2005. Grizzly bear population viability assessment for the Muskwa-Kechika Region of Northeastern British Columbia. Final Report to the Y2Y Conservation Initiative. February 2, 2005. Available at http://www.roundriver.org/images/stories/support-pdf/mk_bearpva_y2y2005_final.pdf

    Heinemeyer, K., R. Tingey, , K. Ciruna, T. Lind, J. Pollock, B. Butterfield, J. Griggs, P. Iachetti, C. Bode, T. Olenicki, E. Parkinson, C. Rumsey and D. Sizemore. 2004. Conservation Area Design for the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area. Prepared for the BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management. Available at http://www.roundriver.org/index.php/m-k/reports-a-publications

    Heinemeyer, K. S., T. Lind, R. Tingey. 2003. A Conservation Area Design for the Territory of the Taku River Tlingit. Prepared for the Taku River Tlingit First Nation. Round River Conservation Studies, Salt Lake City, UT. Available at http://www.roundriver.org/index.php/taku-river/reports-a-publications