Iowa DNR’s mission is in jeopardy

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has strayed from its legislated mission of protecting our water and wildlife. I retired ten years ago after a proud 30-year career. I served different directors and was fortunate to write grants which brought in millions of dollars of outside money. These funds developed many new programs and hired hundreds of positions for 27 years repairing public lands across the state.

I received every grant applied for because of the powerful description of need which focused on Iowa as the most biologically altered state in North America. I emphasized our quickly deteriorating public areas, especially trails along with the shrinking budgets, declining biodiversity and the little amount of public land left.

I was lucky to retire as morale was becoming very disheartening. After leaving I contracted my services, volunteered and then joined the Sierra Club to continue working for our state's natural resources and common good.

From firsthand reports, research into Director Kayla Lyon's background, media interviews and personal stories, it is quite clear Lyon should not be appointed as the DNR director. It should be given to someone else who has some background, or at least a degree, in natural resources. I am sure that a better candidate can be found as I have worked with many of them, appointed from both parties over the years.

Mark Edwards

Boone