Some Susquehanna University students are focusing their summer internship experiences on helping to save the environment.

Emma Dickinson ’26, an earth & environmental sciences major from Palmyra, Pennsylvania, is interning with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of State Parks, while Katherine DeCamp ’27, an environmental studies major from Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, interns for the same stage agency at its Hills Creek State Park station.

Other Susquehanna students are interning at the Chesapeake Conservancy, the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Air Quality and the Union County Conservation District.

“I truly feel at home in the outdoors, and working with state parks was an excellent way to experience them while contributing to their brilliance,” Dickinson said, who is interning as a Region 3 resource management field service specialist.

“Most of the field work I do relates to the control of invasive terrestrial plants that outcompete our native species, disrupting the ecosystem’s balance,” Dickinson explained. “These plants aren’t inherently bad; the issue is that they have been moved to an environment where they have no natural predators.”

Dickinson also has been helping sow extremely rare plants such as Bog Jacob’s Ladder in Ricketts Glen to encourage the species’ survival.

As a scientific and technical intern, DeCamp “assists in the promotion of educational events and supports her supervisors in invasive species management and program setup, while also attending trainings,” she said.

“I have enjoyed the ability to broaden my horizons, both career and skill wise,” DeCamp added. “I have also been able to put my outdoor skills such as kayaking and fishing to use.”

Other skills Dickinson and DeCamp have put to use are the ones provided to them by Susquehanna University through hands-on learning opportunities in labs and classes.

“Susquehanna University’s Freshwater Research Institute partners with the Chesapeake Conservancy, and during my summer internship with them I was trained in herbicide applications by the same individual who is employed for contract applications by the state parks,” Dickinson said.

After graduation, Dickinson hopes to work within the state parks system. DeCamp plans to pursue a career in environmental studies.

“During this internship, I have learned just how many people utilize the resources offered by Pennsylvania’s state parks,” Dickinson said. “People and dogs are on the lake, trails and paths just as much as the employees are, and I have learned how extremely important the state parks are for recreation opportunities.”