Grassland Ecology

Species at Risk

Since 2006, Heather has worked on management of species at risk at the interface with agriculture on the Canadian Prairies and beyond through various projects. In 2020-2025, Heather worked on adapting an online Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool (HBAT) for landowners in Saskatchewan and in British Columbia. This active tool allows landowners to sign in, indicate their land locations, answer some questions about habitat in these locations, and be provided with customized guidance for stewardship of habitats and species at risk.

If you’re looking for someone with knowledge and experience in grassland ecology and/or species at risk on agricultural landscapes. you’ve come to the right place.

Grassland Inventory & Field Surveys

The National Grassland Inventory has been a major project since early 2022. The core of my work in field surveys is related to existing vegetation composition. The focus may be rare plants, species at risk, invasive plant species, wetland site evaluations, or a complete census of existing species on a site. Range health assessments are also a part of my work, mostly focusing on native prairie or parkland sites.

Previous work on resource development assessments has included rare plant surveys, auditory bird surveys, and auditory amphibian surveys.

Habitat Equity and Grassland Conservation

Management planning for natural ecosystems is part of the work Heather does. Much of this is focused on natural landscapes and native prairie, and management planning for habitat maintenance, species at risk, and the ecosystem services provided by these lands.

Working with Miles Anderson, Heather has been working to develop new approaches to supporting the habitat equity that native prairie landowners hold and manage. The intent is to bring funds to support that equity and stop grassland conversion where possible.