My Career in Environmental Science: Our how I get paid to go boating and fishing! Donna Lutz Iowa State University Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering

hello I’m Donna Lutz, scientist, wife and mother I’m Donna Lutz, scientist, wife and mother And you are? And you are? Environmental Science Environmental Science How I got here How I got here What you need to succeed What you need to succeed

What is that? Environmental scientists try to understand the complexity of the natural world and the affects of our society Environmental scientists try to understand the complexity of the natural world and the affects of our society For example, what happened to the mussels? Freshwater reefs, button industry Greatest number of extinct species Life cycle with fish Zebras and ships Rehabilitation

Environmental Careers Ecology and Field Biology Ecology and Field Biology Forestry Forestry Naturalist and Science Education Naturalist and Science Education Environmental Impact and Assessment Environmental Impact and Assessment Land Use Planning Land Use Planning Law, consulting, engineering Law, consulting, engineering Environmental Geology & Meteorology Environmental Geology & Meteorology Air quality Air quality Groundwater management Groundwater management

Water Resources Water Resources Fisheries and aquaculture Fisheries and aquaculture Water quality & management Water quality & management Hydrology Hydrology Environmental Policy & Planning Environmental Policy & Planning Alternate energy development Alternate energy development Soil and water conservation Soil and water conservation Environmental Careers

Limnologist – studies freshwater

Groundwater

And Stormwater!

Des Moines River Water Quality Network

Long term Long term historical record historical record what is normal? what is normal? trend analysis trend analysis any improvement? any improvement? suspended solids suspended solids nutrient nutrient ammonia, nitrate, phosphate ammonia, nitrate, phosphate pesticides pesticides chlorophyll pigments chlorophyll pigments Important Programs Short term Short term bacteria at beaches bacteria at beaches safe to swim? safe to swim? pesticides in fish pesticides in fish safe to eat? safe to eat? total gas saturation total gas saturation safe for fish? safe for fish? overall monitoring overall monitoring why? what’s up? why? what’s up?

Collect samples on rivers & lakes

Mobile laboratory

All kinds of equipment needed for year-round work

Electrofishing for pesticides in fish project

Monitor Beaches

Investigate fish kills

How did I get here? Child Child Camping, boating, hiking, fishing Camping, boating, hiking, fishing If there was water I was wet! If there was water I was wet! Friend, microscopes and butterflies Friend, microscopes and butterflies Campfire girls Campfire girls Middle School Middle School Eco club (1 st Earth Day) Eco club (1 st Earth Day) More camping, boating, hiking, fishing! More camping, boating, hiking, fishing!

The road continues High School High School Photography Photography Creative writing/Poetry Creative writing/Poetry Environmental Chemistry Environmental Chemistry My first water quality project! My first water quality project! More camping, boating, hiking, fishing!! More camping, boating, hiking, fishing!! Significant event - The Clean Water Act Significant event - The Clean Water Act College College Journalism??? Journalism??? Biology Biology Environmental Studies Environmental Studies

Pivotal Opportunity Internship on Lake Michigan

Graduate school: how to become an expert

Why I like my career Variety & Challenge: Field Lab Office

Why I love my career

You can have a family

Scientist Curiosity Curiosity Ability Ability Organization Organization Attention to detail Attention to detail Courage Courage Student Curiosity Curiosity Ability Ability Organization Organization Attention to detail Attention to detail Courage Courage How to be a successful… You are already developing these skills!

#1 - Pack your canoe thoughtfully Life as a river Life as a river You are on a journey You are on a journey Pickup as many supplies/tools as possible Pickup as many supplies/tools as possible Be Prepared! Be Prepared!

#2 - Feel the fear, but do it anyway Fear is a biological tool Fear is a biological tool Most are uncomfortable in new situations Most are uncomfortable in new situations “Imposter” syndrome “Imposter” syndrome “If you get a chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance!”

#3 – Build on your experience Keep your own high standard Keep your own high standard Encourage your friends Encourage your friends Work through frustration Work through frustration Hard work and a sense of humor Hard work and a sense of humor Break large projects into “do-able” steps Break large projects into “do-able” steps Acknowledge your successes!!! Acknowledge your successes!!!

#4 What to do now – and later Get to know one teacher well Get to know one teacher well Join a club Join a club Get a job (internship) Get a job (internship) Pace yourself and enjoy life! Pace yourself and enjoy life!

Girls in Science & Technology You are…. Wanted and Needed