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GREEN IOWA MAHASKA

LAND AND WATER STEWARDSHIP

MEET OUR MEMBERS

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

HOST SITE LOCATIONS:

WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY

201 TRUEBLOOD AVE.

OSKALOOSA, IA 52577

MAHASKA COUNTY SWCD

2503 TODD ST.

OSKALOOSA, IA 52577

OSKALOOSA PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

804 S D ST.

OSKALOOSA, IA 52577

MAHASKA PARTNERSHIP/OSKALOOSA WITH GREEN IOWA

Land and Water Stewards AmeriCorps is a state-wide program dedicated to restoration and conservation of Iowa's native habitats and natural resources. Here in Oskaloosa, we are working toward creating a greener community with our supporting partners at the City of Oskaloosa, William Penn University, and the Mahaska County SWCD (Soil & Water Conservation District).

Interested in working for Green Iowa AmeriCorps?

Check out our Boots on the Ground blog for more information on Summer and Full-Time Positions!

CURRENT MEMBERS AND PARTNERS

Abigayle Sweet

Abby is serving her first term as a 2021 Summer Member. She is from Centerville, IA and is studying Conservation Biology at William Penn University. She is excited to learn more about water quality and conservation practices.

Aaron Martinez

Aaron is serving his second term as a 2021 Summer Member. He is originally from Altoona, IA and studies Conservation Biology and William Penn University. He is looking forward to hands on experience into what goes into making a healthy watershed.

Sara Aguilar

Sara is serving as a 2020-21 Green Iowa AmeriCorps Coordinator. She is originally from Pella, Iowa and has a passion for working outside. She received 3 degrees in Agriculture, Theology, and Spanish from Dordt University. Sara is interested in soil science and how to improve farm management practices.

Tiana Stewart

Tiana is serving as a 2020-21 Green Iowa AmeriCorps Coordinator. She is originally from Naples, Florida and has a bachelors in Chemistry from the University of Central Florida. She is currently working on her Masters in Environmental Science. She is passionate about water quality and testing, and ways to improve drinking water.

Debbie Stevens

Debbie is the Career Services Coordinator at William Penn University. She is serving as the Host Site Director for Green Iowa Americorps in Oskaloosa.

Miriam Lafreniere-Landry

Miriam Lafreniere-Landry

Myriam leads the Muchakinock Creek Watershed Project for the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District, intending to improve the health of this stream. She encourages and helps watershed residents implement good conservation practices by providing them with financial and technical assistance. Myriam studied agriculture and plant sciences at Laval University in Quebec City. She has been working in conservation since her graduation in 2005. When she is not busy trying to improve life on Planet Earth, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and traveling.

Bryce Lidtka

Bryce is the Project Coordinator for the South Skunk River and Cedar Creek Watershed Project. The project exists to work with farmers and landowners to improve soil health and water quality. Through the project, landowners receive assistance in funding, design work, practice implementation, and outreach. Bryce grew up on a farm near Grinnell, Iowa and recently graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Master of Science degree in Soil Science.

Sean Murphy

Sean works as an Engineer Technician for the City of Oskaloosa coordinating infrastructure projects throughout the city. These infrastructure projects primarily include pavement, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer improvements. He has been working with the Green Iowa Members to provide resources and guidance for the collection of storm water data in the city, primarily for erosion in streams and gullies in the city.

Marsha Riordan

Marsha is the Vice President of Advancement for William Penn University. She oversees the Green Iowa AmeriCorps – Mahaska County Partnership fundraising.

Click to learn more about our current members and community partners

See What's in the Works

Visit our Boots on the Ground blog and Our Projects page to stay up to date.

Boots on The Ground

Social Media

CONTACT US

For other questions and comments email

GALLERY

Grade stablization funded by Mahaska County SWCD.

Collecting water samples for testing.

Oats growing as a cover crop.

Blom AML mine reclaimation site visit.

AML and NRCS consulting with a tenant.

Blom AML Mine Reclaimation site visit.

Janelle carrying equipment to the water collection site.

Abby and Oat buddy.

Summer members learning about plants for pollinators on William Penn University campus.

Summer members working with the R8 for the City of Oskaloosa.

Summer members surveying for the City of Oskaloosa.

Green Iowa summer sembers at the city department of roads and public works.

Green Iowa members at Disaster Response Training.

Green Iowa members collecting soil.

Green Iowa members collecting soil for testing from local corn field.

Map found by Green Iowa members while sorting through maps for the City Department.

Map of Oskaloosa on leather from 1911 found by Green Iowa members while sorting maps for the City Department.

Janelle placing a stake.

Abby surveying for SWCD.

Abby and Janelle surveying streets for the City of Oskaloosa.

Janelle using SWCD's R10 unit to survey a field and create a temporary benchmark.

Janelle and Meleia survey a field for Mahaska SWCD.

Muchakinock Creek

Group picture from the field.

Abby and Janelle collect water from the Muchakinock Creek to test the levels of nitrates present.

Work done to create a wetland, funded by Mahaska SWCD.

Janelle collecting water from an inlet at Lake Keomah.

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Educational materials from a Cover Crop and Wetland field day put on by Iowa Learning Farms.

Abby collecting water from Muchakinock Creek at Edumson Park in Oskaloosa.

Abby and Janelle working together to collect a water sample from Lake Keomah.

#FarmHer event Janelle attended as part of her professional developement training.

#FarmHer event Janelle attended as part of her professional developement plan.

ISU Prairie STRIPS Workshop Demonstration of a Prescribed Burn.

Janelle and AmeriCorps Green Iowa members working with Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Reap Assembly for District 15.

ISU Prairie Strips Workshop.

ISU Specialist teaching the group about prescribed prairie burning at an ISU Prairie STRIPS workshop.

Safety First!

Americorps members helping out with a soil investigation.

Learning about soil with the local soil scientist for NRCS.

Soil Scientist Jason Steele teaching Americorps members about soil types.

AmeriCorps brochures layed out at an event hosted by Mahaska SWCD.

Abby checking in guests at an event for the local watersheds.

Watershed event hosted by Mahaska SWCD.

Watershed Event put on by Mahaska SWCD with the help of Americorps members.

Conservation Reserve Program training attended by Americorps members.

Milkweed pod in a CRP plot.

CRP plot put in place by local farmer with the help of Mahaska SWCD.

Adam and Janelle learning about prairire plants.

PARTNERS

Click the logos for more information

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