Jeff Klausmann (co-founder), Restoration Ecologist
M.S. Land Rehabilitation, Montana State University; B.S. in Wildlife Biology, University of Vermont
Jeff has been designing, permitting, constructing and revegetating wetland and upland restoration projects since 1993. Most recently he has focused on restoration and creation of water bird habitats for sensitive species and the establishment and maintenance of dry land plant communities for upland nesting waterfowl, passerine songbirds, and sage steppe dependent wildlife. His technical background in wildlife biology, wetland function analysis, and native plants enables him to develop comprehensive designs that address multiple ecological functions. Jeff is a leader in the conservation community in eastern Idaho and is dedicated to maintaining high environmental stewardship and conservation values on all of his projects. Jeff has designed over 30 wildlife habitat projects throughout the west, has been the IMA project manager on multiple complex environmental projects, and has effectively coordinated projects with engineering, landscape architecture and land planning firms.
Katie Salsbury (co-founder), Fisheries Scientist
M.S. Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management, University of Wyoming; B.S. Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado
Since 1997, Katie has been managing and completing a wide range of environmental projects including: fisheries habitat restoration projects, bio-engineered stream bank stabilization, stream surveys and fisheries analyses, wetland delineations, water quality monitoring, environmental analyses, vegetation and wildlife mapping, environmental permitting and landscape planning. She specializes in identifying and addressing limiting factors to trout populations, and has extensive experience with all elements of the design-build process including permitting (IDWR, ACOE) and managing construction subcontractors. Her recent research interests include quantifying the utilization of constructed stream habitats by resident and migratory trout and longevity of bio-engineered bank stabilization projects. Katie’s excellent communication and organizational skills combined with her thorough scientific knowledge has allowed her to consistently manage projects for IMA that achieve client goals while adhering to project budgets and schedules.
Paul Hook, Wetland & Watershed Scientist
Ph.D. Range Science/Ecology, Colorado State University, M.S. Biology, East Carolina University B.S. Botany, University of Washington
Paul has been working in natural resource research and consulting, primarily in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Wyoming since 1988. He specializes in wetland, riparian and rangeland ecology, including research; grant writing, publication, and resource analysis. He has expertise in plant-based approaches to wastewater treatment, sediment control, and streambank stabilization; invasive plant establishment in wetlands; plant-soil relations; and quantitative methods for ecological and water resource studies. Paul worked as an assistant professor at Montana State University for 7 years before joining IMA and taught courses in wetland ecology, watershed management, and ecological monitoring. Paul has provided his expertise in statistics and scientific monitoring on numerous IMA projects and has contributed directly to research on revegetation methods for sedge wetlands, analysis of thermal impacts from pond development, design of a wetland plant nursery, completing a stormwater wetland feasibility analysis, studies of weed control and streambank bio-engineering, and designs for a wastewater wetland treatment facility.
Eric August, Water Resource Engineer, PE
M.S. Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado, B.S. Civil Engineering, Lehigh University
Eric is our expert in river restoration design, bio-engineered bank stabilization, hydraulic modeling, water quality testing, modeling and improvement techniques, fluvial geomorphology, grading plans for wetlands and ponds, stream surveying and watershed mapping. He has worked closely with Katie and Jeff at IMA since 2004 engineering ecological designs so that they are functional, durable, and maintain natural processes. His experience is marked by over 50 miles of stream and river projects, 185 acres of wetland and pond work, and the 100 plus projects he has worked on involving surveying, design, permitting, construction management and/or scientific research. Eric is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Washington, and Montana.
Jason Chircop, Environmental Scientist / Project Manager
B.S. Chemistry, The Colorado College
Jason has worked within the environmental consulting and habitat restoration field since 2003. During this time, he has specialized in upland, wetland, and stream restoration. He has extensive experience in every aspect of habitat restoration including data collection, analysis, design, permitting, implementation, and monitoring. He values the importance of post-project monitoring and utilizes this data to advance design and implementation techniques. Jason also has experience with the restoration excavation industry. This allows him to provide realistic construction estimates, efficiently perform construction management, and ensure that practical construction techniques are incorporated into designs. He excels in maintaining quality client relationships and strives to ensure that client goals are achieved. Jason’s certifications include Level IV Natural Channel Design from Wildland Hydrology, Basic Wetland Delineation from the Wetland Training Institute, Principles and Techniques of Electrofishing from the US Dept of Interior, and Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems from the FAA.
Ginny Robbins, Field Scientist & CAD Technician
B.S. Environmental Studies and Politics, Whitman College
Ginny is an expert in wetland delineation and field data collection. In just the past three years, she has successfully completed more than 50 wetland delineations, ranging from small plots of <1 acre to areas over 1300 acres. As a mapping specialist, she creates accessible and informative products using AutoCAD and Google Earth, tailored for both interactive and print applications. She excels at synthesizing information into aesthetic and informative reports. Ginny is equally adept in the field in any conditions, and at her computer. She quickly adapts to new projects, mastering tasks with ease and expertise. Her role includes performing monitoring visits to ensure projects meet benchmarks and recommending adaptive management strategies. Her meticulous attention to detail enhances her ability to compile permits for city, county, state, and federal agencies efficiently. She has been with IMA since 2012. Ginny has an advanced wetland delineation certificate from the Wetland Training Institute, and is licensed to operate Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems from the FAA.
Derek Ellis, Project Manager
B.S. Botany, Miami University, Oxford, OH
After a hiatus of 15 years, Derek re-joined the IMA team as Project Manager in 2023. In 1994, Derek began his career working in the wildland fire ecology program for the National Park Service. Since then, he has enjoyed a diverse career in natural resource management working for a number of federal, non-profit, and consulting entities including habitat restoration, PLS land survey, vegetation monitoring, and conservation easement stewardship. Derek is excited to bring his diversity of experience back to IMA to help clients achieve their goals while enhancing the abundant wildlife habitat that makes this place so special. Derek has a wetland delineation certificate from Utah State University.
Presley Wheeler, Wildlife Field Technician
B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management, University of Wyoming
Presley joined IMA in 2023 shortly after moving to Teton Valley for the abundant wildlife and recreation. She supports IMA habitat management throughout Teton Valley by working in the field planting and installing native plants. She collects field data and maintains previous projects done by IMA as well as general consulting support around the office. She loves to be outside, and working toward wildlife conservation is her passion.
Bonnie Dreher, Office Manager
B.S. Recreation & Leisure Studies, Southern Connecticut State University
Bonnie joined the Intermountain Aquatics team in 2021. She manages all office operations, bookkeeping, project invoicing and human resources. An avid skier, Bonnie moved West to work in marketing and sales at Snowbird and Deer Valley Resorts. She believes the best view is from between her horse, Trixie’s, ears.