Robin Wall Kimmerer

Robin Wall Kimmerer is a highly accomplished individual who has made significant contributions in the fields of environmental science, biology, and indigenous culture. Born in 1953, she is an Associate Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) and is widely recognized for her scientific articles and books.

Kimmerer is not only a distinguished academic but also an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is deeply committed to integrating her heritage with her scientific and environmental passions. This commitment is reflected in her work, which combines indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge to offer a unique perspective on the natural world.

Kimmerer is perhaps best known for her New York Times bestselling collection of essays, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, as well as her book Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. Her writing is informed by her experiences as a mother, scientist, and Potawatomi woman, and she is a passionate advocate for the importance of preserving and respecting the natural world.

In addition to her work as an author and academic, Kimmerer is also the founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at SUNY-ESF. She is dedicated to promoting sustainability and environmental justice through education and community engagement. Her many accomplishments and contributions to the fields of environmental science and indigenous culture have been recognized with numerous awards, including a 2022 MacArthur Fellowship. Kimmerer continues to live in Syracuse, New York, where she is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology.