Students

Ashley Desrosiers completed her SWM practicum with Charles River Watershed Association, based in Boston, MA. As the Watershed Science Intern, Ashley gained valuable fieldwork experience collecting water samples to monitor for E. coli and cyanobacteria in the Lower Charles. She supported the CRWA team with water quality data processing and database management.

Drawing from a decade of communications consulting prior to joining the SWM program, one of Ashley’s primary responsibilities was engaging local boathouses and boating organizations in listening sessions and informational events to strengthen understanding of CRWA’s Water Quality Flagging Program. She also created a story map to bolster public awareness of the Natural Valley Storage Area – a 8,100-acre of wetlands across 16 watershed communities that is a nature-based resource for climate resilience.

Her favorite parts of the experience included the collaborative, supportive team environment, CRWA’s first-rate science program and the organization’s focus to translate that science for Charles River stakeholders.

For my 2021 summer practicum for the Sustainable Water Management program, I had the opportunity to travel to Mexico and work with the organization Salvemos El Rio Laja, a non-profit organization based in San Miguel de Allende.  The rural territories, in the surroundings area, are facing important environmental degradations and social conflicts. The organization has been working to attend this problematic for more than 20 years. They work in collaboration with main stakeholders and local leaders to design and implement actions for a comprehensive management plan for the Rio Laja watershed.

During my time with the organization, I was able to contribute to the strategic vision design of their projects and help them to develop a more robust communication approach for their field work. My role was also to contribute with an external vision related to their work, and how to approach the applications for future funding opportunities.

On the other hand, I had the chance to participate and get involved with the people in this rural communities in the context of reforestation programs, and water quality educational workshops. This experience was unique because I was able to interact with many of them, giving me the opportunity to have a more complete understanding of the local problematic and envisioning the importance of the capacity building process with local leaders. This field work also gave me the opportunity to gain very interesting knowledge related to nature-based solutions for a sustainable development model related to agriculture, diets and water management.

I have been a Research Intern at WaterAid Liberia for my summer practicum 2021.  I have been assessing drinking water quality in Health Care facilities in rural Liberia. It was a wonderful and challenging experience for me while visiting health care facilities in rural Liberia to understand the water management practice. I learned a lot from OIC at health care facilities and built a strong network with people I work with at WaterAid Liberia and staffs the health care facilities.

I analyzed the microbiological quality of drinking water in health care facilities and what I learned was very interesting. I travel on motor bike to reach the most remote health care facilities for my studies in rural Liberia. I visited 24 health care facilities particularly in Bong, Nimba and Grand Bassa counties. And it was interesting to know the and learned from the people about the types of water treatment applied at healthcare facilities and the water sources. I found out that the most widely used water point was the Hand pump on dog well. It was interesting to see that some health care facilities in rural Liberia are using creek water for drinking. I also found out that some health care facilities hand pumps are not functioning due to poor maintenance. I collected Drinking water samples from health care facilities and transported them the lab for analysis.

For my summer practicum for the SWM program, I chose to work with Project W.E.T. (Water Education Today), a non-profit organization based in Bozeman, MT. Project W.E.T. is dedicated to advancing water education to understand global challenges and inspire local solutions. They use hands-on curricula, educator trainings, a global network of local educators, and community events to help people of all ages and backgrounds understand global and local water issues.

The end goal of my project was to provide educational materials and resources on water and climate resilience to native communities throughout the United States. The time frame of this project is several years; however, my contribution was only two and a half months’ worth. As I entered this project at its inception, my role was to create the narrative and guiding questions to aid in the continual development of the project as it proceeded, and to begin work on the first goal by determining interest via a survey. Throughout my time with the organization, I gained a significant amount of insight into non-profit work, myself, and experience with communications.

Working with Project W.E.T. has provided me with many fruitful connections and relationships. It is a true privilege to work with likeminded people on a topic that is so critically important and learn from experienced and successful individuals who are willing and eager to share their time. I am grateful for my time with them, and the experience this practicum has provided me.

For my summer practicum I conducted research and community engagement efforts on per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in Nantucket, MA. I worked with the Town of Nantucket and the Public Health Department to hone skills in research, public outreach, and education surrounding PFAS. I also worked to understand exposure pathways beyond drinking water contamination.

Amid my outreach, I connected and collaborated with representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, PFAS Action Group, Natural Resources Defense Council, Silent Spring Institute, and PFAS-REACH to work toward a deeper understanding of the resources available for next steps in mitigation and education of PFAS at the household, town, and state-wide level.

Project outputs included two targeted literature reviews, the creation of educational materials for the community, the establishment of regular meetings among community, action group members, and town officials, and the organization of informational sessions for the broader public as well as medical professionals.

This rewarding experience gave me insight into the local governmental and public health initiatives, and focused my professional goals in sustainable water management.