Erin Lefkowitz

Historic Area Remediation Site Monitoring, New York and New Jersey — Marine ecologist and equipment manager for 5-year contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District to monitor and remediate the former Mud Dump Site and surrounding areas. The program uses sediment profile and plan-view imaging and benthic community analysis to identify biological and physical characteristics of the seafloor to monitor and evaluate ecosystem recovery following remediation activities. Ensure safe working conditions, collection of reliable data, and compliance with environmental regulations through the strict adherence to approved field sampling plans, quality assurance project plans, and accident prevention plans.

Marine Bird, Mammal, and Habitat Monitoring, Homer, Alaska — Led and supported field-based monitoring of marine bird populations on remote islands and at sea in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Collected detailed data on breeding seabird populations and coastal vegetation, and conducted oil, Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team and marine debris surveys. Seabird population data is used as an indicator of annual fish stock health and overall ecosystem health as it relates to climate change. Conducted preliminary rat eradication feasibility surveys by surveying for rat presence and collecting DNA samples, classifying habitat type, and conducting fish and nesting bird surveys. Responsible for data management and reporting and coordination across multiple field teams and partner organizations.

Saltmarsh Restoration and Monitoring, Wells, Maine — Surveyed biotic and abiotic parameters of restored saltmarshes to quantify success of restoration efforts in comparison to a natural saltmarsh. Surveys conducted include water quality monitoring, vegetation composition, marshbird use, and ground elevation. Conducted larval fish surveys and road-stream crossing assessments.

Waterbird Use and Habitat Compliance Surveys of Agricultural Fields, Sacramento, California — Conducted avian surveys and classified habitat and vegetation or crop type on agricultural fields flooded to 1) create habitat for migratory and overwintering shorebirds and waterbirds, and 2) increase invertebrate production to support fish populations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Conducted compliance surveys on participating farmland and liaised with growers. Coordinated field activities across multiple government and nonprofit partner organizations.

Water Quality Monitoring, New York — Served as Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) environmental scientist and party chief on Lake Champlain and the Hudson River for two seasons (2024–2025), conducting real-time monitoring of water quality impacts and rapid reporting of water quality exceedances to installers and state aquatic inspectors, ensuring water quality compliance throughout all operational phases of submarine cable installation. Ensured safe working conditions, collection of reliable data, and compliance with environmental regulations through strict adherence to approved field sampling plans, quality assurance project plans, and accident prevention plans.

Water Quality Monitoring, New Jersey — Environmental scientist monitoring water quality of a tidal creek to characterize distribution and movement of industrial contaminants.

Water Quality and Ecological Monitoring in the Southwest Finnish Archipelago, Åland, Finland — Collected and analyzed water samples for chlorophyll-a concentrations, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and turbidity. Collected and identified benthic macroinvertebrates, and surveyed seabird populations, aquatic vegetation, and pollen levels. Maintained insect traps and bat acoustic monitoring stations. Conducted fishery-independent resource surveys to inventory larval fish populations.

Endangered Species Surveys, Great Plains, United States — Conducted endangered species surveys on rangeland and within windfarms to build knowledge of species population presence, abundance, and habitat use.

Hudson River Estuary Watershed Habitat Assessment and Restoration, New Paltz, New York — Identified, mapped, and assessed road-stream crossings for aquatic organism passage and flood capacity. Restored riparian habitats and supported public outreach efforts. Supported dam removal projects, water quality sampling, marshbird surveys, and fishery-independent resource surveys. Work was performed to support the dual purpose of restoring aquatic organism passage by removing derelict dams and right-sizing culverts while increasing flood capacity of road-stream crossings during major storm events.

Offshore Wind Farm Baseline Surveys, Atlantic Coast, United States — Served as environmental scientist for the processing of sediment cores for chemical analysis at toxic and hazardous waste site. Provided additional technical assistance, including synthesis and digitization of field data.

At-Sea Marine Bird and Mammal Observations, Newport, Oregon — Conducted offshore marine bird and mammal surveys to support preliminary investigations of marine animal presence at proposed windfarm sites.

Sediment Sampling and Analysis, Oregon — Processed sediment cores for chemical analysis at toxic and hazardous waste site. Provided additional technical assistance, including synthesis and digitization of field data.

Modeling a Watershed of the Southwest Finnish Archipelago, Åland, Finland — Compiled geographic and point-source emissions data, and managed all data and QA/QC for use in watershed model. Coordinated across multiple government and research agencies.