Goodbye, Genesis!
Hey, Choose Clean Water Coalition Family!
As summer draws to a close, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible internship experience I’ve had here. From the very beginning, I was given remarkable opportunities that I will carry with me into the future.
During my first week, I had the privilege of assisting Kate Vogel with her living shoreline project, where we planted 4,000 native plants in Havre de Grace. This hands-on experience set the tone for an enriching summer.
Throughout my internship, I participated in several impactful events, including the Juneteenth Environmental Justice Summit, the Environmental Interns and Fellows Networking Mixer, and CCWC’s In-Person Maryland Member Meeting. These experiences not only expanded my knowledge, but also allowed me to network with passionate individuals and learn about various aspects of water conservation.
When I first arrived, Wuillam Urvina asked what I hoped to gain from this internship, and I mentioned my desire to enhance my public speaking skills. I’m thrilled to share that I achieved that goal and more! I worked on my interview skills as well, overcoming my initial fears and now feeling prepared to tackle any interview and speak confidently in public.
My summer project focused on evaluating community perceptions and implementations of Nature-Based Solutions in the Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Bay region. I conducted seven in-depth interviews with practitioners from different organizations, exploring their views on the reactions, barriers, and opportunities related to the adoption of these solutions. I also created a visual storymap to accompany the information I gathered!
Working with the Choose Clean Water Coalition has been a transformative experience. Leading my project while having the support of an incredible team and embarking on various side quests has truly been a blessing.
In my final week, I had the exciting opportunity to go out on a boat with ShoreRivers to test the water in the Eastern Bay. It was amazing to connect with different organizations and witness the critical work being done firsthand.
Thank you all for making this summer unforgettable!
P.S. I will miss the Hot Girl Walks through downtown Annapolis!
Signing off,
Genesis Ibrahim-Balogun :)
