Blue Heron is an environmental consulting firm headquartered in Timmins with an active presence in Sudbury, Thunder Bay, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and across the province. We serve a rapidly expanding market by providing a comprehensive range of environmental services to the mining, forestry, and aggregate sectors, along with a variety of other clients.
Blue Heron staff have extensive experience working in the environmental field, primarily in Northern Ontario. The company offers a wide array of specialized expertise to support organizations’ environmental management needs. Our professionals are currently engaged in a variety of environmental studies and permitting initiatives and are actively involved in different facets of project management and implementation of environmental compliance programs, as well as providing assistance with external stakeholder engagement.
Our Team
Management
Linda Byron, Director
Linda Byron, Owner/Director, of Blue Heron, is a professional Environmental Scientist who has been working in the environmental field since 1990. Ms. Byron has an honours Bachelor of Science degree from Laurentian University, and has extensive operational expertise in the practical, real-life environmental issues encountered in the mining industry.
Ms. Byron has been instrumental in the implementation of Certified Environmental Management Systems at large base-metal mining companies in Northern Ontario, Canada, and has assisted other resource-based industries in practical aspects of implementing and maintaining an effective EMS. She has also assisted industries with permitting efforts as well as development and implementation of compliance and training programs for mining operations in Canada and abroad.
Kati McCartney, Chief Operating Officer
Kati McCartney, Chief Operating Officer, joined Blue Heron in February 2025 and brings more than 16 years of experience in leadership, strategic management, environmental compliance, policy implementation and developing sustainability programs.
Kati has a breadth of experience in various sectors and settings, including mining, heavy industry, analytical laboratories, energy distribution, across public and private sectors. She has experience in overseeing multi-million-dollar environmental monitoring and compliance programs, evaluating and implementing energy-efficient upgrades, developing business strategy and change management, auditing quality management systems and the development of corporate disclosures such as product declarations and CSR/ESG reports.
Pamela Powers, Operations Manager/Permitting Dept. Lead
Pamela Powers, Operations Manager/Permitting Dept. Lead, joined Blue Heron in May 2012. Mrs. Powers has over ten years of experience in the environmental field in the mining industry. Mrs. Powers has been responsible for environmental management programs and the coordination of a variety of environmental projects, as well as permitting and regulatory compliance.
Mrs. Powers has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Technology from Brock University and a Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College.
Biophysical
Jennifer Braun, Biophysical Dept. Manager
Jennifer Braun, Biophysical Dept. Manager, has over 12 years of consulting experience. Ms. Braun’s focus is on plant community classification, plant identification and species at risk. She has served as the vegetation and wetlands component lead for several large-scale environmental assessments.
Ms. Braun also has over 12 years of experience leading wildlife surveys in the field, including species at risk surveys and habitat characterization. Jennifer is an active member of the Ontario Mining Association’s species at risk technical group that meets regularly to discuss updates in legislation and survey protocols. Her consulting experience includes project management, various plant and wildlife community studies, environmental assessments, baseline studies, impact assessments, mitigation, and associated reporting. The projects have focused on permitting requirements for the development of mining, hydroelectric, aggregate, and wind power projects.
Jay Dickison, Supervisor - Aquatic Biology
Jay Dickison, Supervisor – Aquatic Biology, reports out of Blue Heron’s Sudbury office. He has accumulated over 25 years of work experience in the environmental consulting industry. Jay has been involved in carrying out: fish habitat assessments, fish community surveys, fish health assessments, monitoring of spawning runs, pit and floy tagging, mark/recapture surveys, fish removals/relocations, benthic invertebrate taxonomy and benthic invertebrate sampling.
Mr. Dickison is also experienced in the collection of supporting variables including water quality samples, lake profiles, sediment samples, stream flow measurements and physical habitat measurements and observations.
Josie-Ann Tessier, Supervisor - Terrestrial Biology
Josie-Ann Tessier, Supervisor – Terrestrial Biology, has 8 years of experience in ecological sciences. Josie-Ann’s focus is on species at risk, plant community classification, desktop screenings for species at risk and natural heritage features, data management, and technical writing.
Ms. Tessier also has over 5 years of consulting experience. Her consulting experience includes project management, various plant and wildlife community studies, environmental assessments, baseline studies, impact assessments and mitigation. She has been involved with several large-scale projects through which she has gained a thorough understanding of environmental legislature. The projects for which she was I involved have focused on permitting requirements for the development of mining, aggregate, and construction projects.
Kevan Cowcill, Senior Biologist
Kevan Cowcill, Senior Biologist, Write-up Coming Soon!
Janice Christian, Senior Biologist
Janice Christian, M.Sc., Senior Biologist, has worked in the environmental sector for more than 30 years. She has extensive experience in environmental consulting, land and resource use planning, and natural resource management. Her expertise covers a wide range of environmental topics including Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Assessment (EA), Terrestrial and Wetland Ecology, Land-Use and Resource Management Planning, Land Management, Forestry, Fisheries and Waste Management.
Ms. Christian has worked in the public sector, with environmental non-governmental organizations, quasi-municipal organizations, as a consultant and in private industry. She has worked in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. She is a member of the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists.
Kara Gauvreau, Intermediate Biologist
Kara Gauvreau, Intermediate Biologist, has over 12 years of experience in environmental science and research. Kara’s focus is on fisheries management, fish and benthic identification, data management, and technical writing.
Kara has been involved with several projects and biological studies for the mining and aggregate sectors, through which she has gained a thorough understanding of environmental legislation. In addition to managing projects, Ms. Gauvreau has served as the field project technical lead for several large-scale fisheries assessments, and also has experience conducting wildlife surveys, including species at risk surveys, habitat characterization, and desktop screenings for species at risk and natural heritage features.
Brittainy Hewitt, Intermediate Biologist
Brittainy Hewitt, Intermediate Biologist, is based out her home office in New Liskeard with over 4 years of consulting experience and 4 years of experience in the fish culture industry as a technician and stocking coordinator.
Ms. Hewitt’s experience includes public outreach, extensive field-based ecological, wildlife, and agricultural sampling, biological and water laboratory analysis, database management, manuscript and report preparation. She has experience conducting mark-recapture population studies, large scale agricultural plot studies, fish population studies, stocking/rehabilitating trout species, environmental sampling, and entering data for public record. Brittainy has two scientific publications in the Canadian Journal of Zoology and the Canadian Journal of Animal Science.
Dominic Durocher, Junior Biologist
Durocher, Junior Biologist, is based in the Sudbury Office with one year of environmental consulting experience. He has recently joined Blue Heron after launching his second career in 2020. Raised in Timmins, Ontario, Dominic was employed as a landscaper prior to embarking in the environmental field, and is accustomed to working in various locations throughout northern Ontario.
Mr. Durocher graduated from Laurentian University with a Bachelor of Science degree, specializing in Restoration Biology. While in school, Dominic was able to find work on many local environmental projects before gaining full time employment as an environmental consultant.
Zoe Monet, Junior Biologist
Zoe Monet, Junior Biologist
[Bio Coming Soon]
Paul Smylie, Ecologist
Paul Smylie, Ecologist, is an Aquatic Ecologist with 15 years combined experience in environmental consulting and academia. Paul’s multi–faceted experience stems from an interest in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Project experience involves fisheries and bird protection work, as well as numerous fish salvages at culvert crossings for the transportation sector.
Mr. Smylie has conducted vegetation community analysis and Ecological Land Classification surveys in Northwestern Ontario for the Hydro industry. Sediment and erosion control inspections for numerous Ministry of Transportation (MTO) construction projects are also part of Paul’s experience.
Pamela Powers, Operations Manager / Permitting Dept. Manager
Pamela Powers, Operations Manager/Permitting Dept. Manager, joined Blue Heron in May 2012. Ms. Powers has over ten years of experience in the environmental field in the mining industry. Mrs. Powers has been responsible for environmental management programs and the coordination of a variety of environmental projects, as well as permitting and regulatory compliance.
Ms. Powers has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Technology from Brock University and a Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College.
Anthony Mascioli, Supervisor - Technical Support
Anthony Mascioli, Supervisor – Technical Support, holds a Master’s degree in Geography with specializations in Biophysical Sciences and Geomatics / GIS from the University of Waterloo. Mr. Mascioli is experienced in environmental management systems, ISO 14001, conducting field site assessments and baseline designs using a combination of Geographical Information System Science and site visits.
Mr. Mascioli has experience in leading environmental permitting, baseline studies design, implementation of field projects, overseeing fieldwork and overseeing all GIS / cartography related work.
Jessica Labelle, Supervisor - Permitting
Jessica Labelle, Supervisor – Permitting, Jessica has over 14 years of experience within the environmental industry as a consultant and operator. She has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Biology from Laurentian University and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment from Cambrian College.
Jessica has experience managing and preparing environmental permit applications for a variety of projects. She has designed and implemented monitoring programs and baseline studies, including surface water, groundwater, aquatics, and air quality for mining and municipal clients. She has considerable expertise with Environmental Effects Monitoring studies having completed numerous programs. She is a certified Environmental Professional (EP) with the Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board.
Andrew Szydziak, Senior Project Manager
Andrew Szydziak, Senior Project Manager in Sudbury Ontario, has over 18 years of valuable experience working in the environmental field. As a Senior Environmental Specialist, Andrew has been involved in environmental projects across various sectors, including mining, heavy industrial, municipal, residential and commercial. Andrew has extensive knowledge of environmental regulations and compliance requirements for all aspects of the mining life cycle, from advanced exploration to closure.
In his role, Andrew manages contracts, proposals, environmental projects, and all aspects of project execution, including project planning, provision of specialized technical inputs, liaison with clients and regulatory agencies, and management of multidisciplinary teams.
Jessika Heinemann, Environmental Project Manager
Jessika Heinemann, Environmental Project Manager, with Blue Heron Environmental, holds a Specialized Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies, and a minor in Physical Geography, specializing in resource management and hydrology.
Ms. Heinemann started off working in Environmental Compliance for industry, before working in the private, engineering consulting sector for 8 years as an Environmental and Hydrogeological Specialist.
Tiffany Garnett, Junior Environmental Engineer
Tiffany Garnett, Junior Environmental Engineer, joined Blue Heron Environmental in November 2021.
Bio Coming Soon
Eric McNeil, GIS and Data Management Specialist
Eric McNeill, Environmental GIS and Data Management Specialist has over 8 years of experience working with environmentally related geomatic systems. Eric’s focus is on the acquisition, management, and analysis of spatial data to create cartographic products.
Eric has ample experience working with geomatic software as well as on the ground collecting basal data. As a result of seeing the flow of data from field capture to the final cartographic product, he has a strong understanding of how to evaluate and present spatial data.
Serena Maki, Lead Trainer
Serena Maki, Lead Trainer, has over 10 years of managing environmental compliance systems at a number of mining operations in Ontario. She additionally has 10 years in environmental toxicity laboratory experience. Ms. Maki graduated from Canadore College from the Environmental Biology Technology program, completing an internship with the Ministry of Environment and Energy’s Toxicity Laboratory.
Ms. Maki has an extensive background in managing environmental compliance at mining operations, and has been responsible for establishing and managing the environmental budget at mine sites.
Lynne Rasmussen, Environmental Trainer
Lynne Rasmussen, Environmental Trainer, joined Blue Heron in November 2021, to open a satellite office in Northwestern Ontario.
Lynne holds an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Ottawa. Ms. Rasmussen has been working in government and in resource-based industry since 2001, most formerly in the mining sector in Red Lake, Ontario.
Lynne has a variety of field experience as well as experience in permitting and compliance with numerous government acts and regulations.
Communications & Admin Support
Nathan Towsley, Communications Specialist
Nathan Towsley, Communications Specialist, joined the Blue Heron team in January of 2010. Mr. Towsley returned to his hometown of Timmins from Yellowknife, NT where he worked extensively with industry, the Territorial Government and Indigenous communities on a variety of environmental and socio-political topics. Mr. Towsley specializes in cultural studies, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, workshop facilitation, and communication strategies and holds a degree in Geography from the University of Guelph.
Mr. Towsley has assisted a number of northern mining and exploration companies navigate the consultation process, and engage cooperatively with the public and Aboriginal communities. Mr. Towsley also designs and develops web, presentation and print materials for Blue Heron’s marketing department, as well as clients looking to engage investors, the public, or government.
Destinee Hutten, Program Coordinator
Destinee Hutten, Training Program Coordinator, is an Environmental Specialist with over 7 years of experience in environmental compliance, with a specific skill set in mine water treatment, water quality monitoring and reporting.
Destinee has managed a variety of technical field programs and projects, including the implementation of various water treatment systems, environmental monitoring programs, and the coordination of construction earthworks and installation projects.
Destinee graduated from Fleming College’s Environmental Technology program in 2018. She currently supports our internal program development and continual improvement initiatives.
Lynn Clement, Invoicing Clerk/AR
Lynn Clement, Invoicing Clerk/AR,
[Bio coming soon!]
Kelley Stanlake, Administrative Assistant/Finance Clerk
Kelley Stanlake, Administrative Assistant/Finance Clerk, [Bio coming soon!]
Construction Project Support
Drew Lampman, Project Engineer
Drew Lampman, Project Engineer, with Blue Heron Environmental holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Degree from the University of Waterloo.
Mr. Lampman has been working in the construction, manufacturing and resource-based industries since 1995.
Bradley Foster, Special Projects Technician
Bradley Foster, Special Projects Technician, has over 8 years of experience in environmental consulting and government. His focus is on fisheries assessments, construction inspections and mitigation measures.
Brad has been involved in several projects in the Transportation and Aggregates sectors gaining vast aquatic and terrestrial experience. His wide variety of project experience includes Ministry of Transportation (MTO) culvert crossing ecological assessments, plant community classification, benthic invertebrate sampling and identification, wetland delineations, and sediment and erosion control inspections. He is able to understand and interpret engineering and structural drawings in order to recommend mitigation measures to protect aquatic environments.
Management Systems & Auditing
Kristin Maenpaa, Management Systems Dept. Manager
Kristin Maenpaa, Management Systems Dept. Manager, joined Blue Heron in 2013 and is the lead contact at our new regional office in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Ms. Maenpaa holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Environmental Science and Toxicology from the University of Western Ontario, as well as a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Environmental Science from Capilano College.
Ms. Maenpaa has been working in the environmental, health and safety field within resource-based industries in Northern Ontario since 2002. Her areas of expertise include management system development and auditing, site decommissioning and closure activities, training program development and delivery, and dealing with environmental compliance issues.
Laura Wareham, Senior Auditor
Laura Wareham, Senior Auditor, has been a professional environmental manager and engineering technologist since 2002, with over 20 years of industrial and consulting experience within Canada, Europe, and the United States.
Technical expertise includes management of environmental compliance, application of legislation, implementation of ISO management systems and lead auditor experience. Strengths also include management of greenhouse gas accounting/verifications, aerated wastewater treatment plant systems and radiation safety.
Sonja Zours, Management Systems Specialist
Sonja Zours, Management Systems Specialist, with Blue Heron Environmental, holds a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Guelph.
Ms. Zours brings considerable experience as a team leader in the fields of quality assurance, risk management, regulatory program planning, and auditing.
Andrew Doyle, Technical Project Manager
Andrew Doyle, Compliance and Technical Dept. Manager, joined Blue Heron in October 2010. Having a background in Fish and Wildlife, Mr. Doyle has worked as a Technician performing groundwater and surface water sampling, streamflow measurements, electro-fishing, broad scale and fine scale netting.
Mr. Doyle has also sub-contracted to different exploration sites to help and monitor Health, Safety and Environmental (SHE) Development.
Ryan Brousseau, Senior Environmental Technician
Ryan Brousseau, Senior Environmental Technician, is a graduate of the Environmental Technician Protection and Compliance program at Canadore College.
Mr. Brousseau has experience working in different sectors of the environmental field including forestry and geochemistry. Before joining the team at Blue Heron, Ryan worked as a Resource Technician with the MNRF Growth and Yield Program for two field seasons.
Michel Huck, Senior Environmental Technician
Michel Huck, Senior Environmental Technician, is a 2022 addition to our Blue Heron Environmental team.
Mr. Huck comes from a geological and assay laboratory background with nearly 10 years of experience working in the mining industry..
Tyler Marcotte, Senior Environmental Technician
Tyler Marcotte, Senior Environmental Technician, with Blue Heron Environmental, is a graduate of the Ecological Restoration Honours B.Sc., from Fleming College/Trent University.
Mr. Marcotte is familiar with conducting surface water and groundwater sampling at numerous different sites around the Timmins area.
Northwestern Ontario Division
Beth Sullivan, Project Coordinator for Northwestern Ontario
Beth Sullivan, Project Coordinator for Northwestern Ontario, brings with her five years of drinking water/wastewater treatment experience, half of which was spent in the mining sector.
Beth has experience in the interpretation and implementation of provincial environmental legislation as well as permit reporting. She has been the lead in the operating and troubleshooting of treatment processes and equipment while also supervising projects and site personnel.
Daryl McIntyre, Senior Consultant, Safety and Risk
Daryl McIntyre, Senior Consultant, Safety and Risk, is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional with over 22 years of occupational safety and risk management experience in mining and major projects. Daryl began his professional career in mineral exploration and mining operations with FNX Mining and has spent the past 16 years as a consultant serving a number of clients and projects across North America. He is currently a Senior Consultant with Blue Heron Environmental and is based out of Sudbury, Ontario, and his previous role was a Senior Consultant at SRK Consulting (Canada).
Daryl specializes in the design and implementation of risk-based safety management systems, risk study facilitation, project execution planning, operational readiness, and due diligence auditing. In the past, Daryl has served on the Executive Committee for the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, including Chair of the Mid-North Ontario Chapter, and he is currently the Communications Director for the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Health and Safety Society.
Indigenous affairs (Zhashagi)
Brad Cole, Training & Indigenous Consultation Manager
Brad Cole, Training and Indigenous Consultation Manager, has over a decade of experience in the coordination of environmental management activities in the mining and forestry industries, complemented by a deep understanding of the Canadian Environmental acts and regulations. Brad also brings a strong capacity for visioning the long-term impacts of projects, complemented by the ability to chart pragmatic strategies for mitigating risks.
Mr. Cole’s experience encompasses conducting environmental site assessments and developing environmental management systems, as well as experience in facilitating consultations with First Nations communities and the public at large.
Kathy-Lynn Morrish, Permitting and Indigenous Community Support Specialist
Kathy-Lynn Morrish, Permitting and Indigenous Community Support Specialist with Blue Heron Environmental holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Environmental Biology and Technology from Nipissing University.
Kathy has more than 15 years of experience in the mining industry focused on compliance with Acts, Regulations, Permits and Authorizations from various government agencies.
Kathy has also supported Indigenous communities and organizations in the implementation of environmental management and the development of consultation protocols.
Greg Petten, Indigenous Community Support Consultant
Greg Petten, Indigenous Community Support Consultant, is a knowledgeable Environmental Technician, with over 15 years’ experience within the mining industry. Just prior to joining the Blue Heron Team he was the Environmental Coordinator at Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Pic River First Nation) for several years.
Greg is a proud member of Netimizaagamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert First Nation), who received diplomas in Fish and Wildlife Technician and the Integrated Resource Management programs from Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology. Mr. Petten’s field experience, education, and knowledge gained working with and for Indigenous Communities should prove to be a definite asset to the Blue Heron Environmental Team.