L-R:Joe Hanner, Conservation Board President George Hemmen, new Conservation Director Brad Halterman

After 32 years working for Guthrie County Conservation, the department’s director is closing a chapter in his life, but is looking forward to the next one.

Director Joe Hanner didn’t picture himself working for the County when he was an undergrad, but with a passion for wildlife research and management he worked at several conservation areas across Iowa in just a couple years’ time before being hired as a ranger/naturalist for Guthrie County in 1987. It was a welcome return for Hanner as a Stuart native, and the area’s outdoor recreation and people is what’s kept him in the County.

Hanner became the director in 1991, and while many might consider the expansion and continued renovation of the Raccoon River Valley Trail his greatest achievement, Hanner also wishes to acknowledge the development of wildlife areas in an economical fashion. He comments on his career, “I’ve told several people the last month or so, but I feel like the good Lord has blessed me from a young age to be able to live the life that I have and worked the career that I’ve worked up to this point. I’ve truly been extremely fortunate, it’s just been great and it’s been great dealing with the public of Guthrie County, great Conservation Board members past and present, great staff past and present, and it just couldn’t have went better.”

After an extended break, Hanner says he’s interested in pursuing private wildlife and conservation work in the County. The public is invited to congratulate Hanner on his retirement during an open house from 1-3 p.m. Friday at the Guthrie County Courthouse.