This article first appeared in INHF's Fall 2008 magazine.
by Stacie Bendixen
Stacie Bendixen/INHF |
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Erwin Klaas of Ames displays his Hagie Heritage Award acorn sculpture, created by Dennis and Linda Schlicht of Center Point, at the open house held in his honor. Klaas was also awarded $1,000, which he donated to INHF for the Ankeny to Woodward trail. |
For most people, retirement marks the end of a career. Not for Erwin Klaas.
Instead, Klaas has used his time and expertise to champion myriad environmental causes. For his tireless work in conservation advocacy and education, Klaas won the 2008 Lawrence and Eula Hagie Heritage Award. He was chosen from among five outstanding nominees.
“The Foundation presents this award annually to someone who provides extraordinary service and leadership for Iowa’s environment,” said Mark Ackelson, INHF president. “Erv has been active in natural resource conservation and education for many years and is an inspiration to many people.”
One of Klaas’ nominators called him “the guru of conservation in Ames, Iowa.” He retired in 1999 after teaching ecology at Iowa State University for 25 years, and he now volunteers 30 to 40 hours a week on his many projects.
It would take pages to list all of Klaas’ activities, so he summed up his priorities: water quality and land use.
He’s an elected Soil and Water District Commissioner for Story County and an IOWATER monitor. If an organization doesn’t exist for a cause he wants to pursue, Klaas creates one: the Urban Resources and Borderland Alliance Network (URBAN) and the Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition are two examples.
“Smart growth” (using land efficiently and growing with minimal impact on the environment) is essential for Klaas, along with sustainable development. He has worked in restoration ecology to encourage biodiversity. To combat urban sprawl, he formed the Ames Smart Growth Alliance and is involved with 1000 Friends of Iowa.
Klaas’ proudest achievement is helping turn Hallett’s Quarry on Ames’ north side into Ada Hayden Heritage Park. He led the bond campaign that saved this high-quality source of drinking water and provided public green space.
Klaas’ next goal is to promote nature education in schools. He wants children to experience nature so they will appreciate our natural resources and the need to preserve them.
In the meantime, Klaas has no plans to slow the pace of his own education and involvement.
“Education doesn’t stop,” he said. “Here I am in my 70s, and I’m still learning, still reading.”
Still reading, and still fighting to make Iowa a better place for creatures great and small.
Stacie Bendixen is a senior writing major at Drake University and a Buckmaster intern at INHF.
For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.