News stories from the Iowa Wildlife Federation and events taking place to inspire Iowans to protect our wildlife and habitat.
The Iowa Wildlife Federation is proud to announce that longtime conservation leaders Sue and Joe Wilkinson of Solon, Iowa have been named National Conservation Volunteers of the Year by the National Wildlife Federation. The award was presented during the 90th […]
Lacey McCormick, National Wildlife Federation & Betsy Penisten, Iowa Wildlife Federation DES MOINES, Ia. — More than a third – 36% – of the water in the Raccoon River comes from smaller streams that are no longer protected by the Clean Water
This article was featured in the Des Moines Register Opinion section on April 2, 2024. When it comes to helping wildlife and protecting the environment, small changes have a big impact. That’s the message Iowa Wildlife Federation Executive Director Ryan Smith wants
Trumpeter swans once thrived in Iowa, nesting in wetlands and waterways throughout the state. The population dwindled for many years due to unregulated hunting and wetland drainage, with the last nesting pair recorded in 1883. But thanks to extensive restoration
Craig ParkerDirector
Craig has more than 35 years of experience in environmental compliance and stewardship, including work with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Alliant Energy, MidAmerican Energy and CalEnergy. Throughout his career, he managed environmental programs focused on air, land and water protection and environmentally responsible operations.
Since retiring in 2013, Craig has focused on caring for his family’s property along the Wapsipinicon River near Littleton, Iowa. His Wapsicor Tree Farm became a Certified Tree Farm in 2021, and Craig was recognized as Iowa’s Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year in 2023. The Parker property was also recognized as an Iowa Century Farm in 2021, having been in the family since 1914.
Ann WolfDirector
Ann serves as Co-Program Director for MidwestHealthyAg.org, a division of Regeneration International. She co-oversees scientific research teams in socio-anthropological data gathering analysis in Midwest agriculture practices that include studies in health, climate,environmental regenerative sustainability and stewardship. As an Iowa woman farm owner her professional background includes 35 years experience working with USDA, FSA, NRCS programs and projects regarding soil erosion mitigation, wildlife habitat restoration, wetland development, timber agroforestry and ecology (EQIP), stream bank stabilization, riparian buffer strips, silvopasture, pollinator CRP. Conservation collaborations include Iowa Pheasants for Ever, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Iowa Environmental Council, Izaak Walton League of Iowa, eastern Iowa DNR, Central Iowa and Limestone Bluffs RCD, Regeneration Agriculture Alliance. She’s been featured in local, regional and national agriculture and farming publications for her conservation work on her 300 acre eastern Iowa family farm.
She holds an MA from University of Northern Iowa in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development, BFA degree University of Iowa, professional certifications in nonprofit fundraising and leadership(CFRE, CNP). Nonprofit boards, committees, memberships include Iowa Women In Ag; Women in Agriculture Leadership Iowa State University Extension; IA Soil and Water Conservation Society; Climate, Land Leaders; Iowa Prairie Network; Iowa Pesticide Action Network University Northern Iowa; Practical Farmers of Iowa; Iowa and Jackson County Farm Bureau; National Association of Resource, Conservation & Development (NARCD); Iowa State University Extension Master Conservationist Program. Hobbies include outdoor recreation and sports activities, art, culture, traveling. Family members include two adult children Brett and Megan residing in Des Moines metro area.
Thomas RinehartDirector
Thomas is an anesthesiologist practicing primarily in central Iowa. Originally from central Iowa, he returned to the state after a brief time in Portland, Oregon, and maintains strong ties to the landscapes and communities that shaped him. He is actively involved in conservation efforts, with a particular focus on water quality and wetland restoration. He owns and manages two farms in Jasper County, where he has developed a particular interest in oxbow restoration, recently completing his first project and planning to expand this work. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys upland and waterfowl hunting, as well as fishing, and can often be found dragging his family along on outdoor adventures. He lives in West Des Moines with his wife, Katie, and their two sons.
Susan Judkins JostenDirector
Susan Judkins Josten is Client Development Director for RDG Planning and Design, a firm with expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, planning, interiors, art, multimedia, engineering and water resources. Prior career activities involve founding and leading economic and leadership development programs, launching the state’s successful Vision Iowa program, advising communities on project financing, and guiding passage of critical legislation following Iowa’s 2008 floods. She has a BA in Business Management from Simpson College, and an MBA from the University of Iowa. Susan has also been a member of the Clive City Council since 2013, and previously served on the Indianola School Board. She is interested in water quality policy and projects, and is active with several watershed groups. She has three adult daughters: Whitney Judkins, JD, Timmer & Judkins Law Firm in Des Moines; Erin del Ninno, MD, Capital Women’s Care in Maryland; and stepdaughter Jennifer Josten, Ph.D., Assistant Professor for the University of Pittsburgh.
Rudi RoesleinDirector
Rudi Roeslein grew up in south St. Louis, after immigrating to the United States from Austria in 1956. He attended Saint Louis University where he jokes that he majored in soccer and minored in Engineering. Before founding Roeslein & Associates in 1990, Rudi started his career at Container Corporation of America, a composite can manufacturing company.
Elyssa McFarlandDirector
Elyssa McFarland farms with her family in Southeast Iowa and serves as the National Corn Growers Association’s, Soil Health Partnership Field Development Director. She attended Iowa State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and went on to earn dual master’s degrees in Agronomy and Soil Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Mark LangginDirector
Founding Partner, Pinpoint Digital; Mark has been an IWF Board member since 2020. “Really excited to be joining the Board of the Iowa Wildlife Federation. I’ve been an outdoor advocate since I was young. Originally, just as a kid out running around, shooting at squirrels (terrible shot).
Adam JankeDirector
An Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Iowa State University, Adam is also the state wildlife extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. He holds degrees in Wildlife Conservation from Purdue, Ohio State, and South Dakota State.
Joe HenryDirector
Joe Enriquez Henry is a graduate of Iowa State University and has worked in various capacities, from elected and appointed positions in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to the League of United Latin American Citizens and Forward Latino. Mr. Henry was awarded the Louise Noun Award by the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa.
Sue WilkinsonTreasurer and Director
Iowa Wildlife Federation Board Advisor, pre-2013 – Present, Board member since 2020. Growing up on a northeast Iowa dairy farm, I saw wildlife every day; in the timber, ponds and nearby trout streams. My participation in National Wildlife Federation Conservation Summits as a teenager reinforced my love for wildlife and the outdoors.
Tom CopePresident and Director
Tom has served on the Johnston City Council since 2011, where he has been an advocate for investing in stormwater management practices and enhancement of opportunities to observe wildlife in Iowa’s communities. Tom has been a staff member and lobbyist at the Iowa State Capitol for over 20 years, where he lobbied for passage of Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy (IWILL) constitutional amendment.
Kristin AshenbrennerDirector
Kristin is a conservationist from Des Moines. She has a background in–and is particularly passionate about–ag and climate, conservation policy, and funding the National Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. In her spare time, she is an avid equestrian. Kristin owns and shows American Saddlebreds and helps with her family’s breeding operation.
Joe WilkinsonSecretary and Director
Retired, Iowa DNR. IWF President pre-2013, also 2017-2020. Board member; 2013-2017. My childhood was spent exploring the woods, fields, ponds and streams of central Iowa. Then, off to college; B.A. in English, University of Dubuque, with a Journalism equivalent, Clarke College, Dubuque. I spent 11 years in radio and TV news in eastern Iowa.
Dr. Tammy MildensteinVice President and Director
Dr. Tammy Mildenstein, Vice President of IWF, is an Associate Professor of Biology at Cornell College. Tammy has a PhD in Fish and Wildlife Biology and a MS in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana. She leads community-based conservation projects for endangered species and endangered ecosystems, both in Iowa (monarch butterflies) and in Southeast Asia (flying foxes).
Sean McMahonVice President and Director
Sean is a passionate outdoors enthusiast who loves to hike, watch wildlife, camp and fish with his family. Sean has devoted his entire career to conservation, having spent nearly three decades in senior positions at the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy and in his current role as Executive Director of the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance.”
