žžƵ

žžƵ Welcomes Conservation and Community Outreach Specialist

July 23, 2019
Sustainability Civil Engineering & Water Resources Parks & Open Space

Molly Hanson brings her skills as a naturalist, facilitator and water resource leader to žžƵ's planning and design team.

žžƵ announces that Molly Hanson has joined the firm as its conservation and community outreach specialist. Hanson has brings years of experience and a passion for bringing people together around conservation, community and protecting Iowa’s natural resources. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Molly to žžƵ. Molly brings educational expertise, fresh perspectives and unwavering energy to projects and programs for and in the great outdoors. She will help elevate žžƵ’s already exceptional work in parks, conservation, thoughtful development and public health,” said žžƵ Managing Principal Justin Platts, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP.

Molly Hanson

Hanson comes to žžƵ after having served as a naturalist with the Madison County Conservation Board and then as the first full-time executive director of , a nonprofit organization that exists to help Iowans understand, restore and engage with the state’s rivers. Hanson has led outdoor adventure trips, created and led nature education programming and canoed many of Iowa rivers. Each of these efforts serves to educate citizens and policymakers, developing awareness, understanding and appreciation for the quality of the environments in which they live.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with žžƵ throughout my career,” said Hanson. “We’ve talked conceptual designs for a nature center, joined forces to pitch a downtown whitewater park and even shared office space. It feels like I’ve come full circle to be offered a position with such an amazing company and I can’t wait to dive in.”

Hanson’s work has brought her together with žžƵ on more than one occasion in the past, in particular, because Iowa Rivers Revival has been located in one of the nonprofit office spaces žžƵ donates in its Des Moines office.

Written by Erin Van Zee, Communications Director