GREEN IOWA MAHASKA

LAND AND WATER STEWARDSHIP

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'S PARTNERSHIP WITH GREEN IOWA AMERICORPS

Green Iowa Americorps land and water stewards is a state-wide program dedicated to the restoration and conservation of Iowa's native habitats and natural resources through land and water management, environmental education, and volunteer engagement. 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).

We are now hiring summer members!!!
Interested? Contact us at AmeriCorps@wmpenn.edu

Job Description

CURRENT MEMBERS AND PARTNERS

Aubrey Brown

Hi! my name is Aubrey Brown and I am very excited to serve a second term with Green Iowa Americorps as a Land and Water Steward Coordinator at William Penn University.
A little about me is that I was born and raised in Southern California. I moved to Iowa in the summer of 2020 to attend Iowa State University where I graduated in December of 2022. I earned a bacholers degree in Biology of the Agricultural and Life Sciences with a focus in Soil and Water ecology.
I am so grateful to be able to participate in educational events and outreach with the community of Mahaska county and beyond. I really enjoy working with the public and being able to share events and resources that help educate and connect people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests to their communities and enviornment. I can’t wait to see what this term brings!

Cheyenne Reak

Hello, my name is Cheyenne Reak. This is my first term serving with Green Iowa AmeriCorps as a Land and Water Steward Coordinator at William Penn University. I graduated from William Penn University in May 2022. I have lived in Iowa for 10 years now and have grown to love the state. I have always been interested in ecology and wildlife. I look forward to my work with Green Iowa and doing my part in helping the Oskaloosa community.

My hobbies include fishing, camping, and gardening. I am excited for the next 11 months. I am hoping to develop better communication skills and further my education on conservation practices.

I heard of this position by reaching out to Debbie Stevens, the Career Services Director. I was looking for a job in environmental science and she mentioned Green Iowa AmeriCorps. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to the work ahead of me.

Kristine Jaennette

Hi! My name is Kristine Jaennette and I am very excited to be serving with Green Iowa AmeriCorps as a Land & Water Steward Coordinator at William Penn University. I graduated from William Penn University in May 2022 with a degree in Biology. I am happy to be working with an organization where I can help to educate others about environmental issues and do hands-on work to protect and improve natural habitats and ecosystems in my community.
In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, and rollerblading. I love being outside and being able to enjoy the nature around me. I am passionate about wildlife and especially the kinds that most people find scary (snakes, opossums, bats, etc.) I hope to learn more about practices to keep the environment clean and habitable for generations to come.
I am very excited for the projects we will be working on during my term here and am hoping to improve my skills in communication and outreach. I found this opportunity to work for Green Iowa AmeriCorps through the wonderful Career Service Director and my former GIS teacher at William Penn, Debbie Stevens.

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Click to learn more about our current members and community partners

Green Iowa Americorps Members

Community Partners

2022-2023 11 Month Coordinators

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.

Myriam 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.

Joy Van Wyngarden

Joy is the newest South Skunk & Cedar Creek Project Coordinator as of 2021. Her goal at this job is to better Iowa water quality and to promote and implement good agricultural practices to help both the Iowan farmer and the natural ecosystems of the area. She is from rural New Sharon, Iowa and grew up on a row crop farm. She graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communication.

Marsha Riordan

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

Learn about Past Members