Dock Watch Interns Make a Difference

Photo, from left: Dock Watch Coordinator Mary Colligan, Lily the lab dog, interns Stephen Woodson and Seana Sebol, and Lake Quality Council Chair Keri Green.

We wish our 2026 Summer Interns well as they begin their next semester at college. We had a great season with Stephen and Seana as they learned about SMLA and the Dock Watch program. They gained real world experience working in a citizen science laboratory. Both became proficient operating the lab equipment and Dock Watch methods.

Each summer, the interns create and execute an independent project alongside their regular duties in the lab. Stephen did a deep dive into our methodologies and procedures to improve outcomes and data collection. Seana investigated whether this summer’s drought conditions could lead to more prevalent algal blooms.

If you would like to learn more about Dock Watch and the work our interns helped us with schedule a tour by sending an email to Dockwatch@smlassociation.org.