Kimiko Barrett

Kimiko (Kimi) has a deep interest in rural landscapes and the people who live there. Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, she appreciates the outdoors and the intimate connections people have with the land. After obtaining undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Japanese, Kimi completed a Master’s in Geography from Montana State University and a Ph.D. in Forestry from University of Montana. Her doctorate research focused on climate change impacts in high mountain ecosystems and took her to the western Himalayas in northern India’s Kashmir region.

Kimi is the lead wildfire researcher and policy analyst at Headwaters Economics where she provides expertise on community adaptation, vulnerability, and climate resilience. She loves to travel and immerse herself in different cultures and countries, while also appreciating the unique landscapes of Montana. As a two-time alumni of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Kimi strongly believes in the value and benefit of outdoor conservation programs for young adults. For the past 14 years, Kimi has resided in Park County and currently lives in Livingston with her husband, 3-year old daughter, and dog. When she’s not working, Kimi enjoys trail running, downhill skiing, backpacking, interpreting maps, and picking huckleberries.