Board of Directors
Diane Birt, President
Diane worked at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Iowa State University for nearly 40 years as a faculty member and administrator. In the process, she has distinguished herself and earned several awards. Diane has extensive experience in grant writing, grant reviewing and administering grant programs. Diane also has over 50 years’ experience in backpacking, hiking, bicycling and paddling; much of the bicycling and paddling occurred in Iowa over the past 17 years.
John Pohlman, Vice President
John retired in 2012 after working for more than thirty years at the City of Ames Resource Recovery Facility. His work involved industrial, environmental, alternative energy and management issues including working with statewide recycling and solid waste management organizations. John served on the boards of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society, Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition and the Story County Conservation. He continues to be active with the Story County Conservation’s Partners and also volunteers for other groups. When John is not volunteering his time, he enjoys art museums and collecting art with his wife, Lynette.
Gregory Vitale, Treasurer
Greg worked as an economist for the Iowa Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Advocate as an expert on financial issues. He has more than 35 years of volunteer community building, board and other experience with outdoor recreation, education and conservation. He has paddled canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards all over the state, region and far beyond.
Jim Colbert, Board
Jim Colbert was a biology professor at Iowa State University for more than 30 years. He is now more likely to be seen out hiking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. For many years, Jim also waded into Story County waterways as he led the Skunk River Navy: a host of students, staff and community members to pick up and haul trash out of our rivers and creeks. Jim is currently a volunteer mentor for young people wanting to learn hunting and fishing skills through the Iowa Pass It On program.
Claire Andreasen, Board
Claire Andreasen retired in 2025 after working as a veterinarian for 43 years. Her work at Iowa State University the last 28 years spanned many positions including, One Health, that focuses on the health interactions of animals, humans and the environment. She previously lived and worked in Texas, Georgia, and Oregon.
Claire has camped, hiked, and bicycled throughout the Southwestern and Western U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Later in life, running was added. She is a member of the Friends of Ada Hayden, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Seed Savers Exchange, lifetime member of the Practical Farmers of Iowa, and on the Board of Directors of One Heart Equestrian Therapy. Claire enjoys organic gardening and caring for their Story County Conservation Easement home property.
Linda Wild, Board
Linda completed a Bachelors degree in Biology while working as an administrator at Iowa State University in the Genetics and Toxicology graduate programs for twenty-five years. Since retiring, Linda volunteers as a water tester on the South Skunk River and the Keigley Branch in Hamilton County for Story County Conservation. She also is a voting member of the Headwaters of the South Skunk River Water Management Authority for the City of Randall. Linda is also the Secretary for the Outdoor. Linda enjoys walking in public parks and trails.
Diane worked at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Iowa State University for nearly 40 years as a faculty member and administrator. In the process, she has distinguished herself and earned several awards. Diane has extensive experience in grant writing, grant reviewing and administering grant programs. Diane also has over 50 years’ experience in backpacking, hiking, bicycling and paddling; much of the bicycling and paddling occurred in Iowa over the past 17 years.
John Pohlman, Vice President
John retired in 2012 after working for more than thirty years at the City of Ames Resource Recovery Facility. His work involved industrial, environmental, alternative energy and management issues including working with statewide recycling and solid waste management organizations. John served on the boards of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society, Squaw Creek Watershed Coalition and the Story County Conservation. He continues to be active with the Story County Conservation’s Partners and also volunteers for other groups. When John is not volunteering his time, he enjoys art museums and collecting art with his wife, Lynette.
Gregory Vitale, Treasurer
Greg worked as an economist for the Iowa Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Advocate as an expert on financial issues. He has more than 35 years of volunteer community building, board and other experience with outdoor recreation, education and conservation. He has paddled canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards all over the state, region and far beyond.
Jim Colbert, Board
Jim Colbert was a biology professor at Iowa State University for more than 30 years. He is now more likely to be seen out hiking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. For many years, Jim also waded into Story County waterways as he led the Skunk River Navy: a host of students, staff and community members to pick up and haul trash out of our rivers and creeks. Jim is currently a volunteer mentor for young people wanting to learn hunting and fishing skills through the Iowa Pass It On program.
Claire Andreasen, Board
Claire Andreasen retired in 2025 after working as a veterinarian for 43 years. Her work at Iowa State University the last 28 years spanned many positions including, One Health, that focuses on the health interactions of animals, humans and the environment. She previously lived and worked in Texas, Georgia, and Oregon.
Claire has camped, hiked, and bicycled throughout the Southwestern and Western U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Later in life, running was added. She is a member of the Friends of Ada Hayden, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Seed Savers Exchange, lifetime member of the Practical Farmers of Iowa, and on the Board of Directors of One Heart Equestrian Therapy. Claire enjoys organic gardening and caring for their Story County Conservation Easement home property.
Linda Wild, Board
Linda completed a Bachelors degree in Biology while working as an administrator at Iowa State University in the Genetics and Toxicology graduate programs for twenty-five years. Since retiring, Linda volunteers as a water tester on the South Skunk River and the Keigley Branch in Hamilton County for Story County Conservation. She also is a voting member of the Headwaters of the South Skunk River Water Management Authority for the City of Randall. Linda is also the Secretary for the Outdoor. Linda enjoys walking in public parks and trails.
Former Board Members
Bruce Wight
Bruce is enjoying retirement in Ames, including walks in local parks and forests with his wife, Connie and their goldendoodle, Koda. He retired from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Prior to retirement he was the NRCS National Forester providing national leadership and guidance on forestry and agroforestry. Bruce worked for NRCS in Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C. in a variety of positions during his 40-year career.
Bruce grew up on a farm near Winterset, Iowa and is a graduate of Iowa State University in Forestry and Soils. Bruce keeps busy with volunteering locally with Ames Golden K Kiwanis and Outdoor Alliance of Story County. Bruce served as a board member and editor since 2016 until this fall, 2025. He is still volunteering for the Outdoor Alliance and still taking daily walks in Ada Hayden Heritage Park.
Kells Hall, Board
Canadian by birth, Kells has always enjoyed the outdoors, especially bass fishing. Kells wide ranging experience with Danfoss spanned engineering, operations, and the executive office and lent a steady hand to a then newly formed non-profit. Kells joined the Outdoor Alliance of Story County Board in 2017. Kells passed away in August 2024. We are grateful having the opportunity to work with Kells who radiated a quiet good cheer.
Linda Zaletel, Founder
Linda was a founding member and served on the first board until she stepped down in the fall of 2015. She enthusiastically took on more than her share and her contributions go well beyond her service on the board to enhance outdoor recreation, education and conservation in Story County. Previously, Linda was a naturalist for Story County Conservation for 33 years. Her extensive experience as a naturalist and on other boards served all of us well and Story County is better for her many on-going efforts.
Todd Burras, Founder
Todd was a founding member and served on the first board until he stepped down in 2014. Todd has worked as a journalist for the past twenty years including serving as the outdoors editor of the Ames Tribune for more than ten years. He spends as much time outdoors as he can with his wife, two children and friends. His interests include hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, gardening, birding, and beekeeping.
Michael Meetz, Founder
Mike was a founding member and served on the first board until he stepped down in the fall of 2014. Mike worked for 35 years as a Microbiologist at Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Since 1971, he has volunteered on various environmental projects, including National Park Service resource management, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Story County Resource Enhancement and Protection Committee and Story County Conservation Board. Mike has also spent his time on his acreage and native prairie reconstruction.
Bruce is enjoying retirement in Ames, including walks in local parks and forests with his wife, Connie and their goldendoodle, Koda. He retired from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Prior to retirement he was the NRCS National Forester providing national leadership and guidance on forestry and agroforestry. Bruce worked for NRCS in Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C. in a variety of positions during his 40-year career.
Bruce grew up on a farm near Winterset, Iowa and is a graduate of Iowa State University in Forestry and Soils. Bruce keeps busy with volunteering locally with Ames Golden K Kiwanis and Outdoor Alliance of Story County. Bruce served as a board member and editor since 2016 until this fall, 2025. He is still volunteering for the Outdoor Alliance and still taking daily walks in Ada Hayden Heritage Park.
Kells Hall, Board
Canadian by birth, Kells has always enjoyed the outdoors, especially bass fishing. Kells wide ranging experience with Danfoss spanned engineering, operations, and the executive office and lent a steady hand to a then newly formed non-profit. Kells joined the Outdoor Alliance of Story County Board in 2017. Kells passed away in August 2024. We are grateful having the opportunity to work with Kells who radiated a quiet good cheer.
Linda Zaletel, Founder
Linda was a founding member and served on the first board until she stepped down in the fall of 2015. She enthusiastically took on more than her share and her contributions go well beyond her service on the board to enhance outdoor recreation, education and conservation in Story County. Previously, Linda was a naturalist for Story County Conservation for 33 years. Her extensive experience as a naturalist and on other boards served all of us well and Story County is better for her many on-going efforts.
Todd Burras, Founder
Todd was a founding member and served on the first board until he stepped down in 2014. Todd has worked as a journalist for the past twenty years including serving as the outdoors editor of the Ames Tribune for more than ten years. He spends as much time outdoors as he can with his wife, two children and friends. His interests include hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, gardening, birding, and beekeeping.
Michael Meetz, Founder
Mike was a founding member and served on the first board until he stepped down in the fall of 2014. Mike worked for 35 years as a Microbiologist at Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Since 1971, he has volunteered on various environmental projects, including National Park Service resource management, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Story County Resource Enhancement and Protection Committee and Story County Conservation Board. Mike has also spent his time on his acreage and native prairie reconstruction.
