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Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper Internship: Spotlight on Raisa Haq

ByAlice Volpitta

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:

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Hi! My name is Raisa, and I’m currently a student at the University of Maryland majoring in Public Health Science and GIS. My internship at Blue Water Baltimore gave me the opportunity to explore the city’s waterways and deepen my understanding of environmental health and environmental justice.

It was an incredibly insightful experience that offered hands-on learning far beyond the classroom; from water quality sampling to meeting with Baltimore City councilmembers (and even the mayor!), to exploring the historical impacts of legacy toxic contamination sites. 

I’m truly honored to be part of this cohort, surrounded by such inspiring individuals who are just as passionate about these issues as I am. And of course, I’m so grateful for the amazing team leading this program!

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