Second nature
Leopold adjusts to DNR director's post
By Greg Drees, Journal correspondent | Posted: Monday, February 19, 2007
DES MOINES, Iowa -- As a boy, his curiosity for the natural world was insatiable. Today, with Iowa's natural resources under his watch, that inquisitiveness remains intact.
Recently appointed by Gov. Chet Culver as the new director of the Department of Natural Resources, Rich Leopold's thirst for environmental knowledge proved fortuitous.
"I was a strange kid, always crawling around investigating natural things and sleeping outdoors," Leopold said. Such early interests later sparked a zeal for environmental studies, and he earned degrees in biology and environmental studies. Each of his adult career moves has involved an aspect of natural resources management.
Steve Anderson of Spirit Lake, coordinator of the Dickinson County Clean Water Alliance, praised Culver's choice. "Given Rich's background and passion for the state's environment, Gov. Culver didn't have to go out of state to find the right person to lead the department," Anderson said.
Leopold's position as executive director of the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) during the last four years allowed him to hit the ground running as DNR chief. "I understand the legislative process and environmental policy at the capitol," he explained. "I also know all the division administrators and bureau chiefs in the DNR from my IEC experience."
Leopold's journey to the DNR's top job has been swift. Seven years ago he toiled as the naturalist for Dickinson County, shaping that program into prominence. "The pay was modest, but the rewards were rich," Leopold said. "I was working in one of the state's special places, the Iowa Great Lakes, and teaching people about the wide diversity of natural treasures there."
As Dickinson County's first naturalist, Leopold developed an environmental education outreach program that rivaled any in the state. In his four years in that position, he fashioned 900 programs reaching 30,000 youngsters and adults annually. "Rich showed his organizational and development skills in establishing those programs," said current naturalist and Leopold protege Barbara Tagami. "People gravitated to his infectious personality and were rewarded with his teaching skills."
Before his work in the Iowa Great Lakes, Leopold bolstered his resume with intriguing stints with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. "I fought forest fires on the west coast, gave tours of the Everglades and helped the plight of piping plovers in New York," Leopold said.
Only one month on the job, he is working with Culver's transition team, meeting with legislative committees and analyzing budget appropriations. Leopold sets his sites on cleaning up Iowa's dubious distinction as a state with highly polluted water and air.
"We have new water quality standards in place," he explained, "but the implementation will be difficult." He maintained the DNR's water quality division, for example, is understaffed. Leopold would like to see that problem and others solved with a dedicated funding bill for natural resources.
"The general fund appropriations for the DNR is $17-$18 million annually, one of the poorest funded natural resources agencies in the country," Leopold said.
A committee that studied the dedicated funding issue last year -- consisting of farm, environment and sportsman's representatives -- agreed it would like to see $150 million annually for the next decade.
Leopold believes Iowa's air quality standards are not sufficient regarding livestock operations, a hotly debated issue during last year's election. The local control issue -- on how CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) are located and regulated -- remains controversial. Too many questions remain unanswered, he said.
"After three years of monitoring CAFOs by the DNR," Leopold said, "it appears most farmers are doing a good job. But the small percentage of offenders presents a problem."
Leopold's predecessor, Jeff Vonk, was given director's discretion by the legislature last year to take steps against hog farm construction applications with apparent egregious environmental threats. Will Leopold use the discretionary rule? "If I have to," he said. "But it would have to be a case where I can show definitive scientific, ecological warnings."
As Iowa pursues alternative energy solutions, Leopold sees great opportunities. "We are third only to Texas and California in wind generation," he said. "And the potentials are growing. I think we can attract businesses to the state, like wind turbine and tower manufacturers. We can also be the capital of wind education, as witnessed by the hugely successful wind energy programs at Iowa Lakes Community College."
He would also like to see the state export electrons and store energy.
Because he is well versed in the state's legislative process, Leopold senses occasion for accomplishment regarding DNR issues in the new General Assembly.
"The stars are aligned for water quality and recreational opportunities," he said. "There is a new spirit of cooperation at the capitol."
A look at Leopold
Who: Rich Leopold
Position: Director of Iowa's Department of Natural Resources
Birthplace: Rural Worthington, Minn.
Educational background: Degree in natural resources technology, Brainerd Technical School; B.A. in biology, Mankato State University, magna cum laude.
Job history: Stints with the U.S. Forest Service in South Dakota and Minnesota; naturalist for Dickinson County, Iowa; director of the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program at Springbrook State Park in Guthrie Center; executive director of the Iowa Environmental Council in Des Moines.
Career highlights: Firefighting in the Black Hills and California; back-country tours in the Florida Everglades; endangered species management in Gateway National Park, N.Y.; development and promotion of 900 environmental programs reaching 30,000 participants in Dickinson County.
Family: Wife Kathleen and children Seth, 17 and Ayla, 14.
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, bird watching, motorcycling and "crawling around outside" with his wife and children.
Quote: "We need to bring to light the fallacy it will cost too much to improve Iowa's landscape and water quality. Environmental planning just makes good sense."
Recently appointed by Gov. Chet Culver as the new director of the Department of Natural Resources, Rich Leopold's thirst for environmental knowledge proved fortuitous.
"I was a strange kid, always crawling around investigating natural things and sleeping outdoors," Leopold said. Such early interests later sparked a zeal for environmental studies, and he earned degrees in biology and environmental studies. Each of his adult career moves has involved an aspect of natural resources management.
Steve Anderson of Spirit Lake, coordinator of the Dickinson County Clean Water Alliance, praised Culver's choice. "Given Rich's background and passion for the state's environment, Gov. Culver didn't have to go out of state to find the right person to lead the department," Anderson said.
Leopold's position as executive director of the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) during the last four years allowed him to hit the ground running as DNR chief. "I understand the legislative process and environmental policy at the capitol," he explained. "I also know all the division administrators and bureau chiefs in the DNR from my IEC experience."
Leopold's journey to the DNR's top job has been swift. Seven years ago he toiled as the naturalist for Dickinson County, shaping that program into prominence. "The pay was modest, but the rewards were rich," Leopold said. "I was working in one of the state's special places, the Iowa Great Lakes, and teaching people about the wide diversity of natural treasures there."
As Dickinson County's first naturalist, Leopold developed an environmental education outreach program that rivaled any in the state. In his four years in that position, he fashioned 900 programs reaching 30,000 youngsters and adults annually. "Rich showed his organizational and development skills in establishing those programs," said current naturalist and Leopold protege Barbara Tagami. "People gravitated to his infectious personality and were rewarded with his teaching skills."
Before his work in the Iowa Great Lakes, Leopold bolstered his resume with intriguing stints with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. "I fought forest fires on the west coast, gave tours of the Everglades and helped the plight of piping plovers in New York," Leopold said.
Only one month on the job, he is working with Culver's transition team, meeting with legislative committees and analyzing budget appropriations. Leopold sets his sites on cleaning up Iowa's dubious distinction as a state with highly polluted water and air.
"We have new water quality standards in place," he explained, "but the implementation will be difficult." He maintained the DNR's water quality division, for example, is understaffed. Leopold would like to see that problem and others solved with a dedicated funding bill for natural resources.
"The general fund appropriations for the DNR is $17-$18 million annually, one of the poorest funded natural resources agencies in the country," Leopold said.
A committee that studied the dedicated funding issue last year -- consisting of farm, environment and sportsman's representatives -- agreed it would like to see $150 million annually for the next decade.
Leopold believes Iowa's air quality standards are not sufficient regarding livestock operations, a hotly debated issue during last year's election. The local control issue -- on how CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) are located and regulated -- remains controversial. Too many questions remain unanswered, he said.
"After three years of monitoring CAFOs by the DNR," Leopold said, "it appears most farmers are doing a good job. But the small percentage of offenders presents a problem."
Leopold's predecessor, Jeff Vonk, was given director's discretion by the legislature last year to take steps against hog farm construction applications with apparent egregious environmental threats. Will Leopold use the discretionary rule? "If I have to," he said. "But it would have to be a case where I can show definitive scientific, ecological warnings."
As Iowa pursues alternative energy solutions, Leopold sees great opportunities. "We are third only to Texas and California in wind generation," he said. "And the potentials are growing. I think we can attract businesses to the state, like wind turbine and tower manufacturers. We can also be the capital of wind education, as witnessed by the hugely successful wind energy programs at Iowa Lakes Community College."
He would also like to see the state export electrons and store energy.
Because he is well versed in the state's legislative process, Leopold senses occasion for accomplishment regarding DNR issues in the new General Assembly.
"The stars are aligned for water quality and recreational opportunities," he said. "There is a new spirit of cooperation at the capitol."
A look at Leopold
Who: Rich Leopold
Position: Director of Iowa's Department of Natural Resources
Birthplace: Rural Worthington, Minn.
Educational background: Degree in natural resources technology, Brainerd Technical School; B.A. in biology, Mankato State University, magna cum laude.
Job history: Stints with the U.S. Forest Service in South Dakota and Minnesota; naturalist for Dickinson County, Iowa; director of the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program at Springbrook State Park in Guthrie Center; executive director of the Iowa Environmental Council in Des Moines.
Career highlights: Firefighting in the Black Hills and California; back-country tours in the Florida Everglades; endangered species management in Gateway National Park, N.Y.; development and promotion of 900 environmental programs reaching 30,000 participants in Dickinson County.
Family: Wife Kathleen and children Seth, 17 and Ayla, 14.
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, bird watching, motorcycling and "crawling around outside" with his wife and children.
Quote: "We need to bring to light the fallacy it will cost too much to improve Iowa's landscape and water quality. Environmental planning just makes good sense."
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