Veterans Affairs - Have You Heard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025

Judy Levings, an Ames resident appointed as a Story County Conservation (SCC) Board member in January, is no stranger to the Iowa County Conservation Board system and conservation.  She worked as a naturalist with Marshall County after graduating from ISU.  She also served as Director of the Iowa 4-H Education and Natural Resources Center and was the Associate Director of the Iowa 4-H program before retiring from ISU.  After ISU she worked as a Curriculum/Evaluation Specialist in the University of Florida Extension and 4-H program.  She has taught science, written grants, managed contracts, evaluated programs, and written curriculum now used statewide and nationally in the 4-H and Extension Service.

Judy served on the Resource Enhancement And Protection (REAP) Conservation Education Program Board for many years, which disseminated $350,000 annually for conservation education in Iowa, and served the Environmental Education EPA-Region 7 Advisory Board that helped give guidance and direction to Midwest states’ collaborative environmental education activities.  After retirement she had the opportunity to write and coordinate a career preparation curriculum for first generation Latino families of middle-school children called “Salir Adelante,” which ISU Extension is offering throughout the state. 

She has volunteered off and on for SCC through the years—from being a character for the Halloween Hikes held at McFarland Park, to planting prairie plugs at Hickory Grove Park and pulling invasive garlic mustard.  

She shared it is an exciting time to serve on the Board, as the Board serves as a steward to the 25-million-dollar bond issue designed to increase Story County residents’ connection to their environment, improve water quality and protect critical lands.  

“My hope is that I can bring to the Board both an understanding of natural resources and the needs of families to enjoy them.” 

Judy is an avid hiker, birdwatcher and biker using SCC parks and trails.  She is known to take her grandkids and neighborhood children to the parks as well. “There is nothing better than helping young people develop a love for the outdoors.” 

Judy serves as one of five volunteer members appointed by the Story County Board of Supervisors. Her five-year term will expire in 2029.  

The SCC Board is responsible for acquiring and managing property for conservation and recreational purposes and for development of conservation and recreation programs. The Board meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Story County Conservation Center at McFarland Park. The public is encouraged to attend. 

Any legal resident of Story County interested in serving on the SCC Board is invited to complete an application form and submit it to the Board of Supervisors Office where it will remain on file for one year. Vacancies are publicized as they occur. Scheduled vacancies are those created by the scheduled expiration of a term, and are publicized annually by August, with applications due in early fall.