Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper Internship: Spotlight on Mikayla Bryant

In July 2025, Blue Water Baltimore hosted our first-ever cohort of Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper interns for a two-week intensive “bootcamp” style immersive learning experience. The opportunity was generously funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Maryland Department of the Environment under the Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program. Hear how the internship helped shape the next generation of Baltimore’s environmental stewards in their own words:

Hi, my name’s Mikayla Bryant, I’m an environmental science student who’s passionate about protecting water quality and promoting environmental justice. This summer I’ve been given the amazing opportunity to be a part of the Blue Water Baltimore Waterkeeper Boot Camp, where I’ve gained hands-on experience with water sampling, field monitoring, and watershed advocacy. I’ve been able to meet experts and community leaders, which has deepened my understanding of the environmental challenges facing urban waterways. I’ve also learned how data, public policy, and community engagement come together to have a real, visible impact.

The highlight of this program has definitely been seeing how communities have come together to develop neighborhood parks, rain gardens, and even produce gardens in areas that struggled in the past with floodings or vacancies. It’s really beautiful seeing what a community can accomplish when everyone comes together to solve a problem. This experience has strengthened my commitment to using science and outreach to create positive change. I’m excited to continue building a career that blends fieldwork, advocacy, and education to help protect our environment and the communities that depend on it.