Emily Harkness, Community Engagement Manager
Emily Harkness joined Heart of the Rockies Initiative in 2017. In her role as community engagement manager, Emily is inspired by our partners in the region, who are incredible people doing great work. She loves taking the time to listen and get to know each individual partner, then bring them all together in community during field trips or any sort of workshop that gets people outside and on the ground. Emily brings her love of building and supporting community into all facets of her life by making a meal for a friend, shoveling a neighbors driveway, driving folks to the airport, or any small gesture that shows care and appreciation. Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Humboldt State University and a graduate certificate in Natural Resource Conservation Resolution from the University of Montana.
What led you to choose a career in conservation?
I have been to countless amazing places in my life that inspire me, but I think my calling to conservation was initially sparked by years of observation and exploring my childhood yard and neighboring forest. I grew up in the redwood coast of rural Northern California, and from our backyard we watched silver salmon spawn, turkey vultures circling for leftover carcasses, and Pacific giant salamanders making the treacherous journey across the road during the first big rain of the fall.
What inspires you in your daily work at Heart of the Rockies Initiative?
The cheesy (but true) answer? My children. I have two small boys and I am very proud to talk with them about my job, and I’m so grateful to our partners for their tireless work to conserve special places and vital working lands for future generations.
When you’re not working, how do you engage with the people, lands, or wildlife of the transboundary Rocky Mountains?
Recreation is a bit slower these days with an infant and a toddler, but we get outside as much as we can. Lots of rock throwing, leaf collecting, and looking for dinosaurs in the woods. Our go-to spots for hiking and biking are the Whitefish Trail and Haskill Basin. We’ve found a lot of T. rexes in both spots! We’re hopeful that next year will bring more time on our raft and (finally!) a winter where everyone gets a ski pass.
Photo Share
My boys, Cooper and Miles, enjoying a beautiful fall day at the Lion Mountain pavilion on the Whitefish Trail. It’s so special to share this place with them and see the magic of the world through their eyes.
