Hello! My name is Kayla Laddin and I am the Data Management Intern at IRWA this summer! I grew up in Ipswich and have always had a love for nature and being on the water. I am a rising senior at Penn State University with a major in Community, Environment, and Development, specializing in Social Environmental Responsibility, and a double minor in Sustainability Leadership and International Agriculture.
I have been in this position since May and work alongside the Planning and Resiliency Program and IRWA’s Development and Engagement team. I focus on water conservation, advocacy, and resiliency by analyzing water use data and creating meaningful reports. These projects are a part of the Rotary International Grant IRWA received, and we have been presenting the work we’ve been doing to many of the Rotary Clubs in the surrounding communities. Additionally, earlier this summer we worked on The Healthy Lawn, Happy Summer Toolkit with the Town of Wenham to help educate residents about their water use practices and how to improve their conservation practices. It has been very rewarding being able to work on issues in the community and help make a positive impact. I have learned so much from these projects and from the other amazing interns and staff at IRWA.
I also have had the opportunity to be involved with other projects and spend time paddling which has allowed me to get to know the river. I led my first paddle in the middle of July called the Get Grounded paddle where I was able to combine my love for yoga and wellness with my love for the outdoors and paddling. There was an amazing turnout, one of my favorite memories all summer. There is such a strong connection between being in nature, breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness. Being able to share and experience this with a group of people was extremely rewarding and fulfilling. I look forward to doing more events like this during the summer.