News : Phelps named Benton County Conservation Exectutive Director

Karen Phelps will become the Benton County Conservation Director on July 1

The Benton County Conservation Board is pleased to announce the hiring of Karen Phelps as the Executive Director of Benton County Conservation (BCC). She will officially start this position July 1, 2016. Karen began serving BCC in 2002 as Director’s Assistant/Naturalist and within a short time became a full-time Naturalist. She was the integral piece in creating the existing Naturalist program that is in place today. Prior to her hire, there was no existing program. Karen has watched this grow from a half-time position to two full-time Naturalists.

Prior to her employment by BCC, Karen was a graphic artist/illustrator for Amana Appliances for five years and a supervisor/graphic artist for the Amana Society Furniture Shop for four years. She has also been a freelance artist since 1976.

Karen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role as Executive Director. Karen retired in 2015 from serving as the director/treasurer of the Amana First Responders after serving in that position for 25 years. She has grown professionally by serving as co-chair for the five-state Midwest Environmental Education Conference, co-chair for the Iowa Conservation Education Coalition’s Winter Solstice Conference, and has served on the state board of the Iowa Association of Naturalists and the Iowa Conservation Education Coalition (ICEC). The ICEC is the oldest conservation education organization in the state.

Karen’s involvement with conservation started well before her employment with Benton County. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her efforts. Conservation is her lifestyle and it shows. In addition to her work in the field, Karen also is an instructor for Becoming An Outdoor Woman in Iowa, Iowa Bow Hunter Education, Iowa Hunter Education, and FishIowa!. She is also an active member in the Iowa Association of Naturalists, National Association for Interpretation, Iowa Conservation Education Coalition, and is an Emergency Medical Technician for the State of Iowa.

When not at work, Karen and her husband, Marc, enjoy bow hunting, horseback riding, and spending quality time with their friends, children and grandchildren. Various times of the year can find Karen and her two dogs exploring the woodlands near her home, digging in her native flowerbeds, or simply enjoying the view from her backyard.

Please join us in welcoming Karen to her new position!

Submitted by Randy Scheel, chairman, Benton County Conservation Board