The Pennsylvania Sea Grant has welcomed four undergraduate students as part of its 2025 summer internship program, with two of the interns being from the Erie area.

The program, running from June through August, offers students hands-on experience in key environmental focus areas including aquatic invasive species outreach and natural history research.

Now in its fifth year, the internship is supported by the National Sea Grant’s Community Engaged Internship (CEI) initiative, which aims to diversify the next generation of environmental scientists and leaders through training, mentorship, and professional networking opportunities.

Natalie Kitts, a rising senior at Pennsylvania State University majoring in Community, Environment, and Development, is serving as the Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Intern.

Working under Amber Stilwell, coastal outreach specialist, Kitts is helping revise and update educational materials and participating in local outreach efforts.

“This summer I hope to find a way to showcase my passion for the water and Lake Erie’s health to others, allowing them to learn more about the lake,” Kitts said. “I want to find a way for everyone to learn and keep learning about the importance of native plants and the damage that invasive species can cause.”

Also based in Erie is Ripley Kindervater, a 2025 biology graduate from Penn State Behrend.

As the Research & Natural History Museum Intern, Kindervater is assisting Mark Lethaby, curator at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, with specimen preservation, database management, and public outreach activities.

“I am most excited to be working with collecting and preserving museum specimens and being involved in public outreach,” Kindervater said. “I’m looking forward to learning new skills, like scientific note taking and data management, and experiences that will help me excel in graduate school.”

These internships reflect Sea Grant’s commitment to advancing environmental literacy and fostering a deeper understanding of Lake Erie’s ecosystem and the surrounding region.