Stephanie Letourneau

Catch the King Coordinator

Growing up, I loved spending time in and around water—from lakes and coastlines to mountain streams and rivers—and I carried that passion with me through a semester abroad in the Galápagos Islands and a summer exploring the marshes of the York River. Recognizing that science depends on effective communication, I immersed myself in the waters of the Florida Keys to learn firsthand how community engagement can shape the scientific process. My career goal is to connect coastal communities with science and conservation efforts in their own neighborhoods and ecosystems, amplifying the value of local knowledge. I believe that the impacts of community involvement ripple far beyond data collection, fostering stewardship and catalyzing local change.

In 2020, I earned my B.S. in Environmental Science from Juniata College, and in May 2025, I completed my M.A. at William & Mary’s School of Marine Science at VIMS. My work has centered on science communication and participatory science, including coordinating volunteer water quality monitoring with Dickinson College’s Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring, supporting communications at the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia, and advancing participatory science at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park. My master’s research evaluated the Chesapeake Bay SAV Watchers volunteer program through the lens of community perspectives. I look forward to bringing this experience to my work at Wetlands Watch.