Meet the Faculty

Kristi Beatty, Program Coordinator

Kristi grew up in Northumberland County, and has been an avid outdoor and wildlife enthusiast for most of her life. She obtained an Honours degree in Biology from Trent University, and started her career working for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and Ducks Unlimited. Since that time, Kristi has spent over 20 years working as a Biologist and Project Manager in the Environmental Consulting industry – much of that time here in Renfrew County. She has extensive experience in completing Environmental Assessments and associated field work, including Breeding Bird, Species at Risk, Reptile, Mammal, Soil, and Ecological surveys. Kristi has worked closely with private clients, municipalities, and government agencies on projects ranging from local severances and development contracts, through to Provincial Aggregate applications and Federally regulated hydroelectric projects. In addition, she has routinely volunteered her time to organizations such as the Petawawa Horticulture Society, Ducks Unlimited, and Renfrew County Youth Mentorship Hunting programs.

Kristi taught part-time at Algonquin College for 10 years prior to being hired as Full-time faculty and the Coordinator of the Environmental Technician program in 2022. She began at Algonquin when the Environmental Technician program launched at the Pembroke Campus in 2011, teaching Ecology that first year. Since that time, she has continued to deliver the Ecology course each year, while adding additional courses to her slate, including Soils and Landforms, Environmental Assessments, Biodiversity and Conservation, Wildlife and Birding, and several others. Kristi has expanded her scope over the years, and has experience teaching in the Environmental Technician, Environmental Management and Assessment, Forestry Technician, and Outdoor Adventure Naturalist programs.

Jody Nicholas, Professor and Lab Tech

Jody Nicholas graduated in 2016 from Trent University with an Honors Bachelor of Science Degree in Ecological Restoration and holds an Ecological Restoration Diploma at Fleming College. Throughout her education Jody specialized in acidic and heavy metal laden tailings pond restoration and phytoremediation of mine-sites.

At Trent University Jody worked as an Aquatic Invasive Species Research Technician focusing on the biocontrol and eradication of invasive species in Ontario’s Trent-Severn Waterway. After graduating Jody worked for the MNRF as a FireRanger supporting Ontario’s wildfire suppression program. Jody started her career as an Environmental Consultant shortly after leaving the FireRanger program. As a consultant Jody has experience surveying for Breeding Birds, Species at Risk, Reptiles, Mammals, and Culturally Significant Species. Jody has been Lead Biologist on many provincial projects becoming a trained handler of Ontario’s Species at Risk (SAR) Herptiles and is fluent in Environmental Policy surrounding ecologically and culturally significant lands. Within consulting Jody transitioned into a Lead Restoration Ecologist, guiding and implementing industry standard restoration techniques alongside novel research-based restoration on various projects. Jody has specialized in wetland ecology having delineated, assessed and monitored 100’s of wetlands across Ontario’s boreal forest. In addition to consulting Jody has worked on various projects throughout her career including: nest box surveys with Ducks Unlimited, green-roof success monitoring with Fleming College, pollinator and o-zone garden establishment and monitoring with Fleming College, shoreline stabilization projects with Watersheds Canada and Northern Saw-Whet Owl banding with Trent University.

Jody began working at Algonquin College in Summer 2021 as a Field and Lab Technologist for the Environmental Management and Assessment program. She started teaching shortly thereafter in the Environmental Technician, Environmental Management and Assessment, Outdoor Adventure Naturalist and Outdoor Adventure programs. Outside of Algonquin College Jody spends her time rock climbing, cycling, mountain biking, whitewater canoeing, cross country skiing and tromping through wetlands.