Mrs. Sarah Orlando

Clean Marinas, Program Manager, Ohio Sea Grant College Program

Sarah oversees the Ohio Clean Marinas, Clean Boater, and Shrink Wrap Recycling Programs. She provides education and outreach to the marina and boating community on a variety of topics including stormwater, aquatic invasive species, marine debris, and coastal resiliency.

HERE IS HOW TO GET IN TOUCH

Phone: 419-609-4120
Email: orlando.42@osu.edu

EXPERTISE / SPECIALIZATIONS

Clean and Safe Boating
Working Waterfronts
Shrinkwrap Recycling
Monofilament Recycling
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Sarah Orlando is an Extension Educator with Ohio Sea Grant based in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Coastal Management in Sandusky. She is the Program Manager for the Ohio Clean Marinas and Clean Boater programs – voluntary, incentive-based programs to help maintain and improve Lake Erie water quality while preserving the economic activity and viability of the marine trades industry. Her primary responsibilities include conducting research, education and outreach with the marina and boating community on a variety of topics including stormwater, aquatic invasive species, marine debris, and coastal resiliency. Sarah also coordinates the Ohio Shrink-Wrap Recycling Program, a cost effective, eco-friendly alternative to disposing of shrink-wrap for Lake Erie marinas and boaters.

Professional memberships and committees include

Sarah holds her bachelor’s degree in biology with minors in marine science and English from Wittenberg University. Through a Research Experience for Undergraduates in 2007, Sarah discovered The Ohio State University’s F.T. Stone Laboratory, where she studied round goby activity in Lake Erie and took courses on Lake Erie ecology. She later served as a Biological Field Station Assistant in 2008 and as Assistant Lab Manager in 2009. Her master’s degree is in marine resources management from Texas A&M University at Galveston. Sarah grew up in Cuyahoga County and now lives in Lorain County with her husband, Steve, and their dog, Rocky.

Ohio Sea Grant Provides Technical Assistance on Environmental Regulations for Industrial Marinas

As a result of Ohio Clean Marinas Program’s leadership in reserach, education, and outreach, over 75 marina owners and staff received essential information to guide them on compliance and best practices to address boat wash wastewater regulatory changes in Ohio.

Marine Trades Industry Benefits from Ohio Sea Grant Environmental Education and Professional Development

In response to marina industry demand for environmental education and professional development, the 7th annual Ohio Marina Conference was held in 2023 with over 115 marina professionals participating. This Ohio Sea Grant-sponsored conference offered relevant education and training, with 81% of event attendees reporting the conference will help them maintain their business or advance professionally.

Ohio Sea Grant Helps Boat Show Visitors Learn about Lake Erie

As a result of the education and outreach provided to boat show visitors at the Ohio Sea Grant exhibit at the Progressive Mid-America Boat Show, stakeholders are learning new information about protecting Lake Erie, modifying their practices, and sharing this information with others.

Empowering the Lake Erie Public to Stop Spread of Invasive Species

Ohio Sea Grant’s educational efforts resulted in an estimated 947 individuals intending to change their behaviors and use lessons learned in future decision making to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Ohio Boaters Commit to Reducing Pollution as Part of Ohio Sea Grant Clean Boater Program

The Ohio Clean Boater Program enables boaters to take action by educating them on environmental best practices. To date, over 3,700 boaters have pledged to take actions that make an impact near the water - like minimizing fuel spills – and actions that also translate to better practices at home – like washing cars or recycling.

Ohio Sea Grant Improves Knowledge of Copper Concentrations at Marinas while Working with Stakeholders to Address Sources of Contamination

Ohio Sea Grant is providing new information for scientists, managers, and policy makers on copper contamination in nearshore areas of Lake Erie through a research project in partnership with Ohio’s Clean Marinas. The project presented data essential for making well-founded decisions regarding our freshwater resources.

Sea Grant Helps Marinas Increase Sales While Reducing Nonpoint Source Pollution in Ohio’s Lakes and Rivers

Ohio Sea Grant's Clean Marinas Program is working with a total of 98 certified and 41 pledged Ohio marinas to implement ecosystem-based best management practices that reduce nonpoint source pollution at marinas while improving compliance with regulations and increasing dock sales.

Ohio Shrink Wrap Recycling Program Leverages Partnerships and Grant Funding to Divert Thousands of Pounds of Plastic from Landfills

The Ohio Sea Grant Shrink Wrap Recycling Program is successfully bringing funding and partnerships together to divert a difficult-to-recycle plastic from landfills, resulting in a useful product for businesses that benefits Ohioans statewide.