Meet The Team: Graeme Timmeney
This blog series is to introduce our awesome team. Here, we spotlight Graeme Timmeney, our GIS Director.
Where do you live?
I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but I’m originally from Kalamazoo, which is about 45 minutes south.
Tell us about your role at Blue Carbon International
I’m the GIS director at Blue Carbon International. My job is to manage all geospatial data we work with, as well as technology & software partnerships and the development of new tools & tricks to help effectively map blue carbon efficiently at the lowest cost. I also help manage satellite partnerships & data. Anything that can be put on a map.
What inspired you to work in ocean conservation?
I grew up on the water, although I don’t really go in the water, so I saw the changes to our environment firsthand. From Hudson Bay to the Great Lakes to the Caribbean, as well as paddling a canoe all over Canada, I’ve witnessed the changes in benthic habitat communities over my life, and seeing the changes inspired me to work in ocean conservation.
That’s cool, what were you doing in Hudson Bay?
I grew up at a wilderness camp that was based out of International Falls, Minnesota, where we’d go on 10 to 35 day long canoe trips, paddling across Canada. Some of those trips I ended in Hudson Bay. I was able to do those a handful of times and you’d see some pretty amazing things. The sheer amount of trash that was dumped would bring in the polar bears, and we paddled through Beluga whales. It’s a freaking wild experience to paddle with a pod of Beluga whales at 15 years old.
What do you enjoy most about your role at BCI?
As someone with really bad ADHD, it’s really helpful to have to wear a lot of hats and have to do a bunch of different things all the time. So whether it’s making maps, classifying the seabed, or finding new data partners, I always have something different to do.
What’s your favorite animal, land or sea?
Beluga whales. I love those things. They’re sweet.
What was your first job?
My first job was as a canoe guide. But then I was a preschool teacher. I have a Masters in Geography.
What’s your favorite movie or book?
My favourite movie is Dune, which is also a book I guess.
My favourite book is Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World by Wade Davis. I love Wade Davis.
What sports team do you support?
I don’t really watch sports, but I went to a Denver Nuggets game last year and that was fun.
Where can we find you on a Sunday morning?
Usually out on Lake Michigan somewhere hiking or skiing if it’s winter.