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Erin Lefkowitz

Erin Lefkowitz
Project Scientist

Erin Lefkowitz

Project Scientist

Ms. Erin Lefkowitz is an environmental scientist with extensive experience conducting marine, coastal, and estuarine field studies. She has led and supported data collection for remote island- and vessel-based projects in marine bird and mammal ecology as it relates to climate change, fisheries, and offshore energy development. She is experienced in avian surveys, water quality monitoring and analysis, riparian habitat surveys and restoration, road-stream crossing assessments, data management, reporting, and outreach. Ms. Lefkowitz’s diverse professional background enables her to contribute to a variety of projects.

Marine Science

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.

Wetlands

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

Water Quality Sampling, Lake Champlain and Hudson River, New York Collect water samples prior to and during all phases of submarine cable installation operations to monitor suspended sediment and water quality.
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.

Renewable Energy

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.

Climate Impact Assessment

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

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.

Data Management

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.
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