Remembering wildlife and landscape defender, Karsten Heuer
Karsten Heuer was a biologist, wildlife and landscape defender, storyteller, best-selling author, husband, father, son and friend.
Karsten passed away peacefully on November 5, just as he lived his life — on his own terms. Today, all of us at the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) are saddened to lose an inspirational leader and mentor, champion of our cause and a great friend.
In the 1990s, Karsten hiked the 2,100-mile (3,400-km) stretch of the Yellowstone to Yukon region, where he walked among grizzly bears, wolves, elk, pronghorn, bison, moose and more, along the spine of the Rocky Mountains, from Wyoming to the Arctic Circle in the Yukon.
He experienced firsthand the protected areas and natural corridors wildlife travelled through. And, for the rest of his life, he never stopped sharing (and fighting for) the importance of keeping these corridors open and connected to keep wildlife thriving.
Karsten was an integral part of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative for many years and in many ways. He was our President and Executive Director from 2013 to 2015. He later continued as an advisor and an unofficial ambassador, supporting Y2Y and sharing stories of our work with his many interviews and speaking engagements. But most importantly, he was our friend.
“When I first met Karsten, he came to Bozeman, Montana, and asked me what role Y2Y should have in the region between the border and Yellowstone. He kept peppering me with questions. He exemplified someone who really wanted to understand others and listen,” says Dr. Jodi Hilty, President and Chief Scientist, Y2Y.
“Later on, we skied into Bryant Creek in Banff National Park with our three little kids, Karsten leading the way and telling stories that kept the kids spellbound. He was as much of a kid though as any of the kids in some ways, just loving being in the moment in nature.”
She adds, “He always made time to get together to talk all things conservation and nature, and always shared good thoughts and energy to advance a project.”
“Karsten leading the way and telling stories that kept the kids spellbound. He was as much of a kid though as any of the kids in some ways, just loving being in the moment in nature.”
Many people and organizations felt Karsten’s impact. He worked as a biologist in South Africa and Slovakia. He was a park ranger with Ivvavik National Park and Banff National Park, where he also ran the Bison Reintroduction Project. He founded the Banff Wildlife Corridor Project.
As a storyteller, he wrote several books, including Finding Farley, Walking the Big Wild: From Yellowstone to the Yukon on the Grizzly Bears’ Trail and Being Caribou: Five Months on Foot with an Arctic Herd. His final and forthcoming book will focus on buffalo lessons.
He was passionate and fought for what he believed in with his wife and best friend, Leanne Allison, and their son by his side. Together, their films and stories help people understand and care more about wildlife and the environment.
We are grateful for all Karsten accomplished with his long career and love for the great outdoors. He worked tirelessly to defend and protect the ecological connectivity values of the Bow Valley and the Rocky Mountains — for all the living beings who depend on them.
We at Y2Y will remember Karsten when we see caribou, bison, wolves, and all the wildlife he gave a voice to and all the wild places that are better off because of him.
Additional memories from our staff
Karsten was a natural born storyteller and adventurer who just happened to be a biologist. From being one with herds of caribou to stepping in the footprints of grizzly bears or tracking bison across the eastern slopes of the Rockies, his experiences shaped his knowledge and informed the ways he spoke up for nature. Communicating was one of his superpowers, one he used tirelessly to advocate for the wild lands and creatures he loved. Karsten’s work not only laid the foundation for Y2Y’s mission, but also left an indelible mark on conservation efforts in the incredibly important Bow Valley. His modest, yet bold, approach and fiery courage meant he always stood up for his beliefs, regardless of the obstacles. We will all miss him dearly. I especially will miss his calm guidance and advice, his fantastic photography skills and the glint in his eye when he shared stories. But I am forever grateful for the enormous legacy he leaves behind, one that will continue to inspire me to protect the wild places he cherished. — Kelly Zenkewich
To learn more about Karsten and his incredible life, you may enjoy reading the following articles published this year:
