Louisa Crane, of Camden, and Alexis Racioppi, of Belfast, are interning this summer in Camden, helping the town's Conservation Commission work toward the goal of improving water quality in Camden Harbor and preparedness for the Emerald Ash borer, an invasive ash tree pest. Both are gaining valuable experience in working for a municipality and applying their academic interests to concrete and tangible real-life issues, and the CCC feels fortunate to have their help.

Alexis Racioppi is a rising sophomore at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where she studies environmental and marine sciences. She is currently working with Camden's Waste Water department on reducing the amount of inflow and infiltration into the sewer system. In order to accomplish this, Alexis assists the department in carrying out home basement inspections and camera inspections of underground pipes.

In addition, Alexis conducts bacteria testing on storm water samples from various outfall locations in Camden. She notes that the information will be used to trace illicit discharges to their original source where they can hopefully be corrected.

“I'm also working on the CCC's storm drain stenciling project, which aims to spread awareness about the environmental consequences of storm drain pollution,” said Alexis, in a news release.

Louisa Crane will be a junior at Wellesley College this fall, and is majoring in environmental studies. Her major project is writing an emerald ash borer preparedness plan for the Town of Camden.

“EAB is an invasive beetle that threatens to kill all ash trees in Maine if no preventative measures are taken to protect trees of high value,” said Louisa. “The insect also poses a public safety hazard, as dying trees are more likely to cause damage to infrastructure and buildings.”

Louisa's efforts will include the design of a brochure for landowners, with information about EAB and information specific to the midcoast area and Camden. She's working with two members of the CCC: Doug Johnson, a local arborist, and Roger Rittmaster, Chair of the Commission. 

Consisting of seven Camden residents and appointed by the Select Board, the CCC carries out the guidelines of the Camden Community Forest Management Plan, sponsors educational talks and walks, and focuses on special projects such as water quality and protecting natural resources and wildlife. For more information on the CCC or to help with any projects, please contact Secretary Vicki Doudera at vicki@camdenre.com.