Kia Sutter

Background

About Kia Sutter

With a strong multidisciplinary background in conservation, natural resources, planning, and data management, I am passionate about working towards ecosystem resilience as I believe it is an essential part of successful water and land management in the face of a changing climate. I am currently a biologist/GIS analyst for a small environmental consulting company specializing in critical area assessments, holistic resource management and restoration on the Olympic Peninsula. In this role, I perform wetland delineations and ratings, ordinary high water mark delineations, and biological site assessments. I write comprehensive, technical wetland reports that include mitigation and monitoring standards. I also have experience monitoring mitigation projects to ensure performance standards are being met, and if not, writing guidance on how to get the mitigation back on track. My background involves frequent partner engagement and coordination with subject matter experts, including biologist leads from State and local planning departments, to coordinate land management activities. I have extensive experience with wetland mitigation and regulatory resources, and state monitoring methods. Furthermore, my background involves developing accessible and educational materials for landowners to implement integrated wetland management plans. Through working with diverse partners and projects, I have become very familiar with the intricacies of working within regulatory frameworks and fostering productive, open, and collaborative relationships to achieve successful outcomes between all parties and stakeholders.In my role as a GIS Analyst, I manage the company’s geospatial data, create and manage geodatabases for clients, perform spatial analysis, and produce maps and figures for landowner reports. I have extensive experience with ArcGIS online, FieldMaps, and Survey123, and I lead field worker education for critical area data collection. I have managed several large data collection and mapping projects, including mapping noxious weeds for The Nature Conservancy managed lands, mapping wetlands and floodplains for the North Olympic Salmon Coalition utilizing LiDAR and aerial imagery, and mapping riparian habitat mitigation plantings for State Conservation Districts.