Guest blog: Reflections from Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s 2026 Summer Intern
Hello, my name is Nav. I have been part of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper since 2021, when I joined the YELP Program. While in high school, I earned college credits at Niagara University through the program. I was so inspired by Waterkeeper’s work that I joined the summer YELP mentorship program and, after graduating, applied to become a Volunteer Ambassador. I now work as an intern for the summer of 2026!
During my time at Waterkeeper, I developed a strong interest in environmental justice and the policy work connected to it. I am currently a senior at University at Buffalo studying Political Science and Economics, and I plan to attend law school to pursue environmental law. In my hometown, Niagara Falls, there is the perception that corporations often take advantage of communities that lack the resources to push back, while environmental harm continues to affect already marginalized and low-income neighborhoods.
As an intern, I have also learned about the damage affecting one of New York’s most polluted waterways, Scajaquada Creek. The creek is part of the Niagara River watershed and has a direct impact on the surrounding communities. The best way to fight the pollution of Scajaquada Creek is to educate and empower the community it impacts. This seemingly small creek in Western New York affects so many different communities, yet it can be overlooked by them. The Niagara River/Lake Erie watershed covers 1.5 million acres of land, where nearly 2 million people live!
I hope to bring what I have learned back to my own community and fight environmental injustice for those who may not have the means to do so themselves.
