RDG Welcomes Conservation and Community Outreach Specialist
Molly Hanson brings her skills as a naturalist, facilitator and water resource leader to RDG's planning and design team.
RDG Planning & Design announces that Molly Hanson has joined the firm as its conservation and community outreach specialist. Hanson has brings years of experience and a passion for bringing people together around conservation, community and protecting Iowa’s natural resources.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Molly to RDG. Molly brings educational expertise, fresh perspectives and unwavering energy to projects and programs for and in the great outdoors. She will help elevate RDG’s already exceptional work in parks, conservation, thoughtful development and public health,” said RDG Managing Principal Justin Platts, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP.
Hanson comes to RDG after having served as a naturalist with the Madison County Conservation Board and then as the first full-time executive director of Iowa Rivers Revival, a nonprofit organization that exists to help Iowans understand, restore and engage with the state’s rivers. Hanson has led outdoor adventure trips, created and led nature education programming and canoed many of Iowa rivers. Each of these efforts serves to educate citizens and policymakers, developing awareness, understanding and appreciation for the quality of the environments in which they live.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with RDG throughout my career,” said Hanson. “We’ve talked conceptual designs for a nature center, joined forces to pitch a downtown whitewater park and even shared office space. It feels like I’ve come full circle to be offered a position with such an amazing company and I can’t wait to dive in.”
Hanson’s work has brought her together with RDG on more than one occasion in the past, in particular, because Iowa Rivers Revival has been located in one of the nonprofit office spaces RDG donates in its Des Moines office.