She co-founded the Mountains to the Sea Conservation Trust in 2002 to educate young people about marine conservation through the programme Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR).
Nicholas said she first became interested in marine conservation while a student at Kamo High School, where she was involved in the application to put a marine reserve in Whangārei Harbour.
EMR has expanded over the years and is no longer limited to Northland. There are co-ordinators throughout the country and a sister programme in Australia.