Jason E. Andersen

Bonus Fun Fact: Change is an unavoidable, often scary, and necessary part of life. On the whole, I don’t like change. It’s uncomfortable. However, change presents new opportunities and challenges. It’s what allows us to grow.

As sad and scary as it is, I’ve decided to make a change. I’ve accepted a position with Mills County, in southwest Iowa, to be the Roadside Vegetation Manger with their Secondary Roads Department. My last day in my current position will be Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Mills is one of the few Iowa counties that doesn’t have an integrated roadside vegetation management program, so I will be building the program from the ground up. There will be a lot of brush cutting, spraying Canada thistle, and planting roadsides to prairie, as well as doing prescribed burns, writing grants, and helping county landowners navigate land management issues. It will be a big switch from what I’m doing now, but I am very excited about the opportunity. I think it’s a chance for me to build a conservation legacy that will long outlive me, and that sounds pretty great.

Of course, I’ll still be involved in the conservation world through my new job, as well as my volunteerism including Pheasants Forever, Loess Hills Preservation Society, Iowa Prairie Network, and others. My cell phone will be the same so don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s something I can help you with or you just want to say hello.

Also, I plan on keeping up on my fun facts. Hopefully that’s a bit of a bright point in all this for you. I am hoping to use it as a way to bring folks along on my roadside vegetation adventure. 

I have been truly lucky the last six years, to have such a great job and to have had the pleasure to work with so many great folks. Thank you all for your support and friendship! I am one of those rare people that can say they really enjoy their job, which is what makes it so hard to leave. That’s the thing about change; it’s not fun when it’s happening, but hopefully you’re a better person on the other side.