Pro H2O to Honor Iowa Conservation Leaders

Thursday, June 19, 6-9PM Noce, 1326 Walnut St. , Des Moines RSVP TODAY

In one week, Iowa’s environmental community will join together for Pro H2O – Thirsty for Change, an event to celebrate and support a shared vision for clean water, healthy land and continued advocacy for Iowa’s environment.

Realizing a vision calls for commitment. It demands dedication. It requires resolve – especially in the face of adversity. Realizing a vision requires passionate people who possess these qualities and the knowledge, experience and extraordinary character necessary to create lasting change. At Pro H2O, we will honor three conservation leaders – Tom Hadden, Susan Heathcote and Paul Johnson – who exemplify these characteristics and recognize their many contributions toward creating a safe, healthy environmental and sustainable future for Iowa. 

“Tom, Susan and Paul truly embody the spirit of the Iowa Environmental Council,” said Executive Director Ralph Rosenberg. “Each has worked tirelessly for decades to protect and preserve Iowa’s natural resources, making this state a better place to live, work and explore. Equally as important, each has a keen understanding of the importance of engaging others in this work. We are thankful for their service and proud to recognize them at this year’s event.”

Tom Hadden

Tom Hadden has over 35 years of experience in government and environmental issues and has been a strong supporter of the Iowa Environmental Council since its early inception. During his time as the executive director for Metro Waste Authority, Hadden served as chairman of the board for two years and forged many alliances with city and business leaders to educate and engage them in environmental issues. He believed in the Iowa Environmental Council because there was a need for an organization that makes recommendations based on sound science and conducts itself with great integrity.

Hadden currently serves as the city manager for West Des Moines. He has served as chair for two Governor-appointed task forces involving watershed improvement, was elected and served seven years on the Southeast Polk Community Schools Board of Education and on many other boards throughout his career. Hadden and his wife, Tina, live in West Des Moines.

Susan Heathcote

Susan Heathcote joined the Council as its water program director in 1996 – one year after the organization’s founding – and is its longest-standing employee. She celebrated her 20th anniversary with the organization this past February. Heathcote oversees the Council’s water and land program, providing leadership on a number of issues including agricultural non-point source pollution management, water quality standards, impaired waters restoration, water quality monitoring, and livestock manure management among other issues.

Heathcote was appointed by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to serve on the Watershed Improvement Review Board. She also serves on the Mississippi River Collaborative (MRC) steering committee and is co-chair of MRC’s agricultural workgroup, the Mississippi River Network Policy Committee, the AGree Initiative Advisory Committee, and on the Iowa Rivers Revival Board of Directors. Heathcote and her husband, Rich, live in Des Moines.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is a long-time advocate for Iowa’s environment. He is former Council board member and has been an active member and stalwart supporter of the organization since its founding. Johnson served three terms in the Iowa State Legislature from 1984-1990 where he took part in developing Iowa’s Groundwater Protection Act, the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act, and the Iowa Energy Efficiency Act. He was chief of the Soil Conservation Service (now the Natural Resources Conservation Service) at the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington DC from 1993-1997. He then served as the director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from 1999-2000.

Johnson and his family have owned and operated Oneota Slopes Farm near Decorah, Iowa since 1974.  He and his wife, Pat, have built their retirement home on the farm and a summer cabin in the north woods along the Minnesota-Canada border.

Join us on Thursday, June 16 from 6-9 PM to recognize this year's honorees and thank them in-person for their service and commitment to preserving Iowa's natural resources. RSVP today.