Partner Profile
Kim Biasiolli, Piedmont Environmental Council
How does your work support healthy streamside ecosystems in the James River watershed?
My work supports healthy streamside ecosystems by permanently protecting land and water with conservation easements. Conservation easements require perpetual retention of riparian buffers that exclude livestock and are typically forested and wide enough to provide both water quality protection and habitat benefits. As a conservation professional, I am also always working to help connect landowners to other cost share and conservation programs that support healthy watersheds.
What do you love most about your work?
What I love most about my work is knowing that it will have a lasting impact for conservation in our region over time. I also love working with landowners, especially hearing about their stories and their deep connection to their land. It’s so satisfying to help a landowner connect with the right conservation tool that enables them to be a better steward of the land.
What was your journey/career path that led you to the work you do now?
I am a forest ecologist and began my career focused on science and research, including a long stint as a botanist studying and tracking rare species. I spent many years in the field as a biologist and wildland firefighter before discovering land conservation, which I realized was the key to permanently protecting the species and places that I care about. As the Natural Resources Manager for Albemarle County I led the Stream Health Initiative, focused on improving policies and programs to support stream health, which included a big focus on buffers. More recently, I’ve returned to land conservation, which is definitely my passion, but with a new perspective and intention to increase buffer protections through my work.
What do you value most about the Consortium? How has it positively impacted your work?
I truly value the connections and conversations I’ve had with the people in the Consortium. It has been so inspiring to have such an energetic and focused group of professionals all working towards the same goal, and I always come away having learned something or with a fresh idea that I might try to weave into my work.
About Kim Biasiolli
Organization: Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC)
Title: Conservation Program Manager