Katie Nicolato is an alluring and compassionate naturalist, educator, creator and adventurer with 18 years of experience in ecology. She is a traveling environmental and creative contractor-consultant providing a unique style of holistic conservation.
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She has received over $30,000 in personal awards for her leadership and education in forest, arctic, alpine, desert, grassland, aquatic and urban ecosystems.
Katie holds a graduate certificate in GIScience from the Oregon State University Geography Department, graduate education in Forest Geomatics from the Oregon State University Forest Engineering, Resources and Management Department, and a BS in Environmental Science and Policy with a minor in GIS from the University of Maryland Geography Department.
Her professional experience spans disciplines and includes environmental research, management and education positions in the private, government, academic and nonprofit sectors. She has specialized in forestry, botany, remote sensing, GIS, birds, wildlife, fisheries, hydrology and education with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, University of Alaska, University of Maryland, Oregon State University, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Davey Resource Group, Sierra Club, Alliance for Community Trees and Wolf Conservation Center. Her similar volunteer efforts are innumerable.
Katie develops the precision forestry, Uncrewed Aerial Systems, lidar, photogrammetry and GNSS surveying programs for one of North America’s largest environmental consulting companies and created its online UAS pilot training program. She has been an FAA-certified UAS pilot for 7 years with hundreds of commercial flight hours in the industry since 2019. Katie also instructs tree climbing and has received climbing certifications from the US Forest Service and Oregon State University. She is a board member and project advisor for several scientific organizations.
Katie nourishes her lifelong passion for videography by creating content that celebrates nature, community, science, art and adventure, captures groundbreaking drone footage and publicizes education. She enjoys many outdoor activities and often integrates them into her videography. She is inspired by cinema and has facilitated a film club in Oregon for over 3 years.
A classically trained violist and self-taught violinist, guitarist and singer-songwriter, Katie releases her soul through music. She has performed solo, in orchestral and choral ensembles, and in musicals and rock bands since childhood. Her magnetic band Queen Salmon has enchanted and inspired fans for 12 years since forming in the bush Alaskan community of King Salmon in 2014.
Katie practices and instructs lapidary, the meditative art of cutting and shaping stone, along with rockhounding and jewelry-making. She frequently uses self-sourced raw material in her work to create a place-based connection to each piece, evoking personal and geologic memories for the maker and wearer.
Katie embodies ecology and art to channel her emotions and experiences into a purpose of healing the world. She feels equally whole on top of a mountain, behind a camera, in front of an audience or inside a classroom.
Katie centers inclusivity, diversity, stewardship, compassion, nature, peace and fun in all aspects of life.
