Nelson Institute alumnus connecting environment and community with Iowa DNR

For Nelson Institute alumnus Steve Hopkins, pursuing a career in environmentalism was an easy choice. Hopkins grew up learning about animals, gardening, and the outdoors from his grandparents who had a cattle farm in Missouri. He credits his grandparents with introducing him to his passion and ultimately leading him to his current position with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Visualizing the environment

As a Geospatial Software Engineer with the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory, Nelson Institute graduate Stuart Illson turns data into models and tools that help scientists to better understand forest fires, smoke, air quality, and so much …