- Time:Mar 17 5:00 pm 5:00 pm, 2025
- Event Organizer:Scott Hardy | Contact Host
- Event Category:Deadlines | Show Similar
Ohio Sea Grant is now accepting applications for the 2025 Community Engaged Internship, a Sea Grant sponsored internship program with the goal to broaden participation in coastal professions by providing training and mentorship to the next generation of scientists.
Project: Innovative Solutions to Spotted Lantern Fly in Coastal Ohio
Location: Lake County, Ohio
Duration: June 2, 2025 – August 8, 2025; 40 hours per week
Stipend: $6000
Qualifications: Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at an institution of higher education, including 2- and 4-year colleges and universities, at the time of application. It is critical that the student intern is bilingual (English/Spanish). Access to personal transportation is preferred, but not required.
Note: Interns are REQUIRED to attend an in-person field experience from July 20-24, 2025 in North Carolina with other CEI interns from across the United States. This is a mandatory all expenses paid field experience.
Project Summary: Invasive Spotted Lanternflies (SLF) have impacted nurseries and vineyards in the Lake Erie coastal zone in northeast Ohio. These insects feed on plants and are especially attracted to grapevines, hardwoods, and ornamentals – all vital to the local economy. There are no known natural enemies of the SLF to reduce populations in the region. Instead, social and chemical controls are implemented. Social controls can include removal of host plants, exclusion netting, circle traps, and egg destruction. Chemical controls are more common and involve the use of insecticides that may contaminate groundwater and enter Lake Erie via stormwater runoff. Applied research and community education is needed to better understand and support social controls and reduce reliance on chemical controls.
This project seeks to address SLF infestation and resultant water quality concerns associated with chemical controls using a multitiered approach. First, the project mentor and intern will conduct a needs assessment at nurseries and vineyards in the region. This assessment will (1) establish baseline knowledge about SLF and assess the level of concern; (2) communicate potential adverse impacts of chemical controls on local water quality; and (3) identify possible social alternatives and willingness to employ. Next, the intern will assist with the development of bi-lingual educational materials for non-toxic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that address SLF while protecting coastal waters.
The 2025 application period is now open. All materials for consideration must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on March 17, 2025.
Students applying must fill out the form below. On the form students should provide contact information for two references, and upload a 1-page cover letter and a 1-2 page resume or CV. Those uploads should highlight each of the following:
- Include your personal/professional background and your experience related to this opportunity.
- How will the internship will support your academic and professional career?
- Why are you interested in coastal science, policy, management and/or outreach?
- How will your prior experiences with people from various backgrounds contribute to your success in the program?