T-R PHOTO BY MIKE DONAHEY Emily Herring, the director of the Marshall County Conservation Board, is pictured recently inside the entity's main office at the Grimes Farm on the edge of Marshalltown.

Emily Herring, Marshall County Conservation Board (MCCB) director, said she and her family can not wait to go ice fishing.

It will require colder temperatures for ice to suitably freeze, but Herring, her husband and two daughters know the wait will be worthwhile.

In a recent interview with the Times-Republican, Herring talked about entering her third year as executive director of the county entity with a budget of nearly $800,000, six employees, 34 parks, and three trails.

The current job is an ideal match for her skillset and personality.

“I love teaching and being active out-of-doors and found the position of naturalist with MCCB and elsewhere allowed me to do both,” she said.

Before being appointed executive director, Herring was hired as the MCCB’s naturalist in 2016. She also worked as a naturalist in Boone, Hardin and Story counties. Before working in those positions, she previously served as MCCB’s administrative assistant beginning in 2010.

Herring said the MCCB’s attitude toward conservation made her want to return.

She grew up in Pleasantville, near the Lake Red Rock recreation area.

“We were frequently bicycling, camping, fishing and hiking,” she said. “On vacations, we camped in tents, because that is how we could explore. As a child, I was always playing outside.”

And her family currently continues that tradition from their home in Eldora.

One of the family’s favorite activities is bicycling from Eldora to Steamboat Rock on a trail that connects the two communities.

As executive director, Herring reports to a volunteer board of directors and also to the Marshall County Board of Supervisors.

The board of supervisors approves MCCB’s budget.

Consequently, Herring is frequently at board of supervisor meetings reporting on capital improvement projects.

Herring identified several skills needed to be an effective manager.

“It is necessary to be organized and creative — especially in problem solving,” she said. “Everyday something comes up that we are finding the solution too,” she said. “For example, someone wants to participate in a program but the deadline passed to register is full … it could be budget-related – or we do not have the time – regardless, our staff our board or volunteers find a way to get the job done to ably serve county residents and visitors.

Previous MCCB directors Gary Brandenburg of Albion and Mike Stegmanm of Marshalltown set a high standard for performance and public confidence which has enhanced MCCBs reputation statewide.

“From staff to our board to volunteers to our foundation contributors – everyone is passionate about what they do,” she said. “That is why we are able to offer so many programs and more. It is our culture and teamwork which makes us successful hands down.”

The MCCB is headquartered at the Grimes Farm, located at 2349 233rd St. on the southwest edge of Marshalltown. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nature Center hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call 641-752-5490.