Lake Erie Science Series: Aquatic Invasives

Sarah Orlando is an Extension Educator with Ohio Sea Grant based in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Coastal Management in Sandusky. She is the Program Manager for the Ohio Clean Marinas and Clean Boater programs – voluntary, incentive-based programs to help maintain and improve Lake Erie water quality while preserving the economic activity and viability of the marine trades industry. Her primary responsibilities include conducting research, education and outreach with the marina and boating community on a variety of topics including stormwater, aquatic invasive species, marine debris, and coastal resiliency. Orlando also coordinates the Ohio Shrink-Wrap Recycling Program, a cost effective, eco-friendly alternative to disposing of shrink-wrap for Lake Erie marinas and boaters.

Orlando holds her bachelor’s degree in biology with minors in marine science and English from Wittenberg University. Through a Research Experience for Undergraduates in 2007, Orlando discovered The Ohio State University’s F.T. Stone Laboratory, where she studied round goby activity in Lake Erie and took courses on Lake Erie ecology. She later served as a Biological Field Station Assistant in 2008 and as Assistant Lab Manager in 2009. Her master’s degree is in marine resources management from Texas A&M University at Galveston. Orlando grew up in Cuyahoga County and now lives in Lorain County with her husband, Steve, and their dog, Rocky.