Joel Betts is a stream ecologist from Michigan who has focused his work on freshwater ecosystem and protected area conservation in Nicaragua, as well as ecosystem restoration and sustainable agriculture in the northern US. During his master's and Fulbright research (2016-19), and as an associate scientist with Global Wildlife Conservation (2019), he carried out research and conservation support to indigenous-led conservation efforts in Mesoamerica, such as the Rama-Kriol action plan for Indio-Maíz. His research focused on the effects of deforestation on headwater stream organisms and their habitat and the illegal use of pesticides in fishing in the region. In 2012 he researched the nitrogen fixing potential of intercropping systems, and now (2020-21) works implementing sustainable agriculture practices with farmers in Massachusetts. In 2013-14 he researched effects of dam removal on stream macroinvertebrates in Northern Michigan.