Hi! My name is Hadley Helenbrook. I am a senior at Endicott College majoring in Environmental Science. I am thrilled to join the team this fall as the restoration intern at IRWA. My connection to IRWA actually began during my freshman year. In one of my very first college classes, we participated in one of the herring count surveys at the Ipswich Mills Dam. Ever since then, the river has continued to capture my attention and deepen my interest in the work being done to protect and restore it. Now, as a senior in college, things have truly come full circle. I have the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned throughout my studies to real-world conservation efforts on the Ipswich River. And now, I get to analyze the fish ladder data and see the work of the volunteers being put in action.
Throughout the fall, you will find me out in the watershed supporting many critical projects. My days are very dynamic, sometimes I will be out in the field surveying culverts or collecting water samples for bacteria testing, while others are spent back at the office analyzing the data we collect. In addition to my internship, I am working with IRWA for my senior thesis project. My research focuses on the Castle Neck River restoration project, an incredible coastal resiliency initiative on the border of Ipswich and Essex. Specifically, I will be studying the ecological impacts and recovery of the marsh following the removal of Old Essex Road crossing this past May. By deploying data loggers back into the stream to measure water quality, I will compare data from before and after the restoration project. This opportunity will allow me to bridge my academic research to hands-on restoration work, utilizing the data and field experiences from this season to contribute deeper insights into protecting our local ecosystems. I am incredibly grateful to give back to the watershed that first inspired my environmental journey!
