Green Iowa AmeriCorps Helping Mahaska County Conservation Protect Local Parks and Natural Resources

Samantha McDowell, a participant in Green Iowa AmeriCorps, visited the Oskaloosa News studio to talk about her work at Mahaska County Conservation.

OSKALOOSA, Iowa – A statewide service program is helping Mahaska County Conservation maintain parks, protect natural resources, and teach residents how to care for the environment.

Samantha McDowell, who serves with Green Iowa AmeriCorps and Mahaska County Conservation, recently visited the Oskaloosa News studio to discuss her work and how the program supports the community.

What Is Green Iowa AmeriCorps?

Green Iowa AmeriCorps is an environmental service program that operates statewide through the University of Northern Iowa.

The program connects members with local organizations to support conservation, environmental education, and community improvement projects.

Members get hands-on experience while helping communities with projects that might otherwise need more staff or resources.

McDowell works as a land and water steward, supporting Mahaska County Conservation with projects across the county.

She handles trail maintenance, trims trees, cares for native plants, manages prairies, and teaches about the environment.

She also helps maintain native plantings around Oskaloosa, like the areas near D Street and the elementary school ball fields.

From Agriculture to Conservation

McDowell studied precision farming at Indian Hills Community College and has agricultural experience.

After finishing her first six-month assignment with Green Iowa, she was asked to come back for another 11 months.

During her time with the program, she learned to identify native and invasive plants, worked in a greenhouse, and earned a tree keeper certification.

Her background in agriculture has helped her see how healthy soil, conservation, and water quality are connected.

Helping Residents Make a Difference

McDowell explained that people don’t need big properties to help protect the environment.

Planting native flowers and grasses gives butterflies and bees food and also helps make the soil healthier.

Native prairie plants usually grow deep roots that help stop erosion and let water move through the soil.

Mahaska County Conservation sells native plants at the Environmental Learning Center, including small prairie gardens that work well in home yards. She also helps schools, churches, businesses, and residents who want to establish native gardens or learn how to plant trees properly.

She hopes to keep working in conservation education and help people of all ages see how their everyday choices affect the environment.

For more information about conservation programs, volunteering, or native plantings, contact Mahaska County Conservation at 641-673-9327 or visit www.mahaskaconservation.com.

Additional information about Green Iowa AmeriCorps is available at www.greeniowaamericorps.org.