Orixana Urquhart | M.Sc., EP
Founder
Orixana found her love for nature as a child, mucking about in the wetlands and forests of Northumberland County. Orixana has over 15 years of experience as an ecologist and land manager. Her passion is reptiles, amphibians and species at risk. That is the specialty of Blazing Star Environmental although we perform a wide variety of ecological services. Orixana founded Blazing Star Environmental in 2015 to support individuals, organizations, and governments that endeavor to ensure a healthy environment is part of all aspects of growth in Ontario. Orixana is the past President of the Ontario Invasive Plant Council, Treasurer of the Canadian Herpetological Society, and is a member of Algonquin to Adirondacks Collaborative’s Road Ecology Committee. Orixana is a lover of the outdoors, disc golf, ultimate frisbee, craft beer, and travel.
Orixana is currently on sabbatical and excited to enjoy this opportunity to recharge, seek inspiration, and return refreshed for the next chapter ahead in Spring 2027.
Katherine Black
Acting President
Katie is a professional ecologist who brings practical, science-based insight to land-use planning and environmental decision-making. She works closely with developers, agencies, and conservation partners to find balanced, effective solutions for both people and the environment.
Since joining Blazing Star Environmental in 2022, Katie has led natural heritage assessments, road ecology initiatives, and species at risk programs, with a strong focus on agricultural and working landscapes. She specializes in terrestrial ecology and has extensive field experience across a wide range of ecosystems.
Known for her clear communication and collaborative approach, Katie plays a key role in guiding projects forward with confidence and care.
Outside of work, she enjoys being a mom, backcountry camping, cross-country skiing, teaching Zumba, and gardening.
Siobhan Galway
Senior Ecologist
Siobhan is an ecologist with over ten years of experience in applied conservation and stewardship projects. Siobhan has extensive experience leading teams in the inventory, monitoring, and recovery of at-risk reptile species in the remote and rugged habitats of northern Ontario. She also specializes in integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with applied conservation initiatives. She also has experience evaluating natural heritage features, Ecological Land Classification, grant and report writing, mapping, educational outreach, and coordinating citizen science programs. She is also a certified Ontario Wetland Evaluator. In her spare time, Siobhan loves camping, hiking, dogsledding, woodworking, and surfing.
Siobhan is currently on sabbatical and is expected to return to her role in early 2027.
Maureen Jackson
Operations Manager
Maureen supports the coordination of processes, people, and projects as Operations Manager. Since joining BSE as a Species at Risk Technician, Maureen has progressed through administrative and operational roles, giving her a well-rounded perspective on both field and office workflows. Her work spans proposal development, budgeting, internal systems, team coordination, and process improvement, with a focus on reducing friction and helping the team work efficiently and effectively. Outside of work, Maureen enjoys spending time with her dog or getting outdoors hiking, biking, and camping.
Meagan Morey
Ecologist
Since joining the team in 2022, Meagan leads species at risk monitoring and long-term research initiatives at Blazing Star Environmental, supporting both conservation outcomes and land development.
Drawing on her background in biology and ecological monitoring, she develops Best Management Practices (BMPs) and evaluates habitat creation and restoration to support species recovery.
She coordinates Environmental Impact Studies, helping guide projects through study design, impact assessment, and mitigation planning to balance ecological protection with practical land use.
Whether in the field, coordinating monitoring programs, or working through regulatory requirements, Meagan brings a practical, grounded approach to her role. Outside of work, she enjoys archery, scuba diving, and exploring Ontario’s backcountry.
Cayla Darling
Ecologist
Cayla has seven years of experience in ecological consulting, habitat restoration, and natural heritage assessment, with a strong background in field surveys, geospatial analysis, and Ontario’s turtle species. She began her journey at BSE as a species at risk technician, conducting environmental assessments and coordinating aquatic vegetation monitoring projects, and now acts as an ecologist and project coordinator, managing multiple timelines, deliverables, and field teams. From survey design and data analysis to reporting and project management, Cayla helps the BSE team deliver high-quality ecological solutions. In her spare time, you can find her working on her Master’s thesis, hiking, camping, kayaking, or curled up with a good book, often keeping an eye out for turtles along the way.
Richard Burger
Ecologist
Richard Burger is an ecologist with over a decade of experience in wildlife conservation, ecological research, and applied environmental consulting. Richard is originally from Britain and holds a PhD in Ecology, where his research focused on animal movement, habitat use, and population dynamics in fragmented landscapes in Borneo. His past work has spanned a wide range of taxa and countries across both academic and applied consulting contexts.
Since joining Blazing Star in 2023, Richard has led quantitative data management and analytics for all of our ecological and conservation research projects. He specializes in translating complex ecological data into clear, defensible insights that support planning, impact assessment, and conservation decision-making. He has led and contributed to numerous projects across Ontario, including large-scale monitoring programs, ecological impact assessments, and targeted studies on species such as turtles, snakes, and grassland birds. In his free time, Richard enjoys reading, video games, dancing, football (soccer), hiking, and camping.
Tessa Radimer
Ecologist
Tessa is an ecologist with over five years of experience in environmental consulting, with a focus on terrestrial and wetland ecology, species at risk, and long-term monitoring. Since joining Blazing Star Environmental in 2023, she has supported and led a range of conservation projects, Environmental Impact Studies, and Property Management Plans.
Her work includes coordinating turtle mark-recapture studies, exploring eDNA applications, developing species detection protocols, and conducting flora and fauna inventories across both remote and urban environments. Known for her strong field experience and attention to detail, Tessa brings a thoughtful and practical approach to her work.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, rock climbing, playing Gaelic football, and backcountry camping.
Brenda Reynoso
Administrative Assistant / Marketing
Brenda is an Administrative Assistant at Blazing Star Environmental, supporting both operations and marketing. She joined BSE in 2025 and plays a key role in keeping day-to-day processes organized while also contributing to content creation, social media, and communications.
She has over six years of experience in marketing, with a focus on social media, content creation, and communications. Her background includes supporting campaigns, developing content, and helping organizations connect with their audiences in a clear and engaging way.
Brenda is known for her positive attitude, attention to detail, and willingness to support the team wherever needed.
Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, going to the gym, spending time with her family and loved ones, and exploring new places.
Katherine Black
Principal
Bio