Carroll County Conservation has announced they have welcomed a new naturalist to their team. Dakota Popp is the new naturalist, and she officially started with the county on Monday, Feb. 6. She attended Buena Vista University and studied environmental science conservation education. Popp says her first experience in the field was with the Buena Vista County Naturalist as an intern, and she knew immediately she was in the right field.
Popp is originally from Dallas County, but she spent plenty of time in the Carroll area visiting family. Popp says individuals will see the same faces around Swan Lake but with some changes.
With her now starting with Carroll County Conservation, she says residents can expect to see more camps, activities, and events happening at the Conservation Center and around the County.
Popp will primarily work out of the nature center, but she also plans to do plenty of traveling to schools in the County. Kristen Bieret, who was hired last year to be the County’s naturalist, will still be with Carroll County Conservation but will serve as the county’s conservation education coordinator.
