Iowa County

Jacob Slings,
Director 

JSlings@IowaCounty.iowa.gov

319-655-8465 

Jacob, a native of Altoona, Iowa, assumed the role of Director at Iowa County Conservation in March 2024. Growing up in Altoona, Jacob cultivated his passion for the outdoors on his family's farm in Prairie City, where he spent his days hunting for rocks, fishing, and exploring nature.

After graduating from Dordt University with a degree in Environmental Science, Jacob honed his skills through diverse experiences. He interned with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, focusing on executing management plans for private landowners. Subsequently, he dedicated four years to the Iowa DNR, working in the Fisheries Bureau and Water Quality Bureau, followed by a role as a hatchery technician at the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish.

Jacob's journey led him back to Altoona, where he discovered his talent for community engagement and service while working for the City of Altoona. Combining his environmental expertise, love for the outdoors, and dedication to helping others, Jacob found his calling at Iowa County Conservation.

Outside of work, Jacob enjoys spending time with his wife Alyssa and daughter Willa. He also enjoys feeding his passion for hunting and fishing, staying connected to the great outdoors that he loves so much.

After graduating high school Mary attended Kirkwood Community College and earned her parks and natural resources degree.  While attending Kirkwood she did an internship and then worked part-time with the MacBride Raptor Project (MRP).  There she gained experience working with birds of prey assisting with care of injured and resident non-releasable raptors, as well as presenting educational programs.

After graduating from Kirkwood Mary worked seasonal and part-time outdoor education jobs for a few years, and then decided to return to college to get her bachelors degree from the University of Iowa in environmental science.  While pursuing her degree she worked during the summers with the UI Summer Wildlife Camps where she spent time outdoors with kids of all ages teaching about nature and doing fun outdoor recreation activities.  During the school year she worked at the MRP again, continuing to teach about and care for Iowa's birds of prey.

After graduation she accepted a conservation education position with Muscatine County Conservation (MCC).  At MCC she was able to expand her knowledge and experience within conservation education, worked with and cared for resident education wildlife, and was mentored by two wonderful naturalists! She accepted a naturalist position with Lee County Conservation, after educating the citizens of Lee County for three and a half years, Mary was fortunate to accept a position closer to home with Iowa County Conservation.

Working with many different organizations has given her lots of great experience in the conservation education field. It has allowed her to spread awareness, appreciation, and good stewardship for the outdoors.  In her free time Mary enjoys spending time with her husband Richard family and friends, listening to music, gardening, and creating art.

Andy Webker,
Ranger / Natural Resource Technician

awebker@iowacounty.iowa.iowa.gov

319-655-8465

Andy’s conservation connection was triggered at a young age growing up on his family’s farm in NW Iowa, near Emmetsburg.  After countless hours working on the farm his free time was spent fishing, pheasant and deer hunting. After high school Andy attended Iowa Central Community College and graduated with an AA degree in Criminal Justice. Following that he attended Iowa State University and graduated with BA degree in Criminal Justice.  During his time at ISU he worked an internship with Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation which is where his aspirations for a conservation career began.

Shortly after graduation Andy worked seasonally a few summers with the Iowa DNR Wildlife Unit in Spirit Lake Iowa.  After that Andy dedicated the last 9+ years to the Iowa County Conservation System.  Andy worked seasonally for Dickinson County Conservation.  Most recently Andy worked at Monroe County Conservation Board for 7+ years.  The first year with Monroe County he was the conservation technician and then the remaining years as the director.  Andy’s adventure then led him to Iowa County Conservation in October of 2025.

Andy is married to his beautiful wife Michelle (Semler).  Michelle and Andy have 3 beautiful children together: Drake (5), Margaret (3) & Eleanor (2 months).  Michelle is originally from the Keswick area and is what prompted the relocation from Monroe County to here. Family is everything and wanted to move closer to family.  During Andy’s free time he enjoys spending time with family, friends, and anything outdoors hunting and fishing related. 

Thank you for the opportunity to help make Iowa County a better place for you, the community, the wildlife and the rest of our guests that come to visit us and enjoy. 

Elizabeth Capron

Administrative Assistant

ecapron@iowacounty.iowa.gov

319-655-8465

Liz is the Administrative Assistant for Iowa County Conservation starting in the summer of 2022. Before coming to Lake Iowa Park, she worked in landscaping, which helped nurture her curiosity and love of nature. She is interested in mycology, loving to learn about fungi, and has been a member of the North American Mycological Association since 2021. In her free time, she enjoys foraging, hiking, reading, learning about self-sustainability, and creating art through paintings and pottery. She can easily be described as a moderately more composed version of the feral child from The Wild Thornberrys.